We have helped to make this a better election

The voter this year will the benefit of several measures that have been put in place to improve the electoral process and system. Last March...

The voter this year will the benefit of several measures that have been put in place to improve the electoral process and system. Last March, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment upholding the fundamental right of a voter to know the antecedents of candidates in the fray. It made it compulsory for candidates to file sworn affidavits giving information about their police records, if any, their educational background and their family assets and liabilities, including dues to the government. This measure, incidentally, can be seen as an instance of citizens’ involvement in electoral reform actually yielding results.

This is also the first general election that is being held after an intensive revision of electoral rolls in 2001. The subsequent summary revisions were citizen-friendly and, last December, electoral staff even went to localities with the electoral rolls for checking. They accepted forms for addition right at the doorstep.

This is also the first general election where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used all over the country. The Election Commission (EC) had also proposed to have an additional column, “None of the above”, included. There are many who do not cast their votes as they feel none of the candidates on offer is worthy of their votes. This, in turn, encourages bogus voting. Unfortunately, the EC’s suggestion is still awaiting clearance.

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This is the first general election where the monopoly of any one party has been broken and there is an alignment of various parties into two major fronts. This has helped sharpen the debate on development since there is now competition between the two fronts to appear committed to good governance. The voter then — after assessing the public stance of these two broad fronts — can make a more informed choice.

In his Republic eve message, President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam put it this way, “Every political party must clearly state their vision, action plan, and approaches for the developed India vision 2020 and how fast they can realise these missions in quality and quantity. The right to vote is the greatest power given by the democracy to you, so that you can reinforce further democratic values. I would like to appeal to all eligible voters to exercise their franchise without fail, fear or favour. Large voter turn-out will be the first step towards realisation of developed India 2020, and the second step would be to become enlightened righteous citizens”.

The writer is co-ordinator (elections), Action for Good Governance & Networking in India, Mumbai