CUDDALORE:
The Forum on Electoral Integrity, an umbrella organisation comprising retired civil servants and non-governmental organisations, has given a memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner to appoint “citizen observers” to monitor the flow and misuse of money during elections, said former Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta.
He told The Hindu that besides general observers and expenditure observers, the Election Commission can depute “citizen observers” to give it a feedback on the play of money power in the elections. Such a situation was prevalent mainly in three Southern States such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Money power in elections had reached such a level that it warranted an orchestrated campaign to get rid of the malaise. However, he would not comment on the steps being taken by the Election Commission now to carry out vehicle-check to seize unaccounted money.
Citing Irish philosopher John Ruskin, Mr. Gupta said the silent majority by their silence was creating problems. Therefore, to create awareness of sanctity of elections among people, bulwark of democracy, the Forum, in which he was actively involved, was organising awareness campaign in educational institutions and on the premises of social service organisations and NGOs. He was also making a PowerPoint presentation on the theme, “Democracy and youth,” to drive home the message that voting right is a sacred right as propounded by former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
Mr. Gupta pointed out that in 1920, Mahatma Gandhi wrote an article in “Young India” calling upon the people to vote only for honest candidates to uphold ethical and moral values in elections. He expressed concern over consumption of liquor as it affected health of the breadwinners and affected the fortunes of their families. It was not just sufficient that the liquor outlets were closed on the polling day, but these must be closed 10 days prior to the polling day.
Mr. Gupta underscored the point that all eligible voters should exercise their franchise without fail and should also have the resolve to say that “votes are not for sale.” Asked whether the Forum would take the message to political parties also, Mr. Gupta said that as of now the focus was on people or the electorate. Earlier, Mr. Gupta, along with Abul Hasan, former Secretary to Tamil Nadu Government, spoke on “Clean and fair election” at a function organised jointly by the Exnora, Sacred Heart Teacher Training Institute and Arokkiasamy Memorial Trust here.
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