Time of India: Several independent organizations have launched campaigns to encourage voters to exercise their right on February 16. The State Election Commission has directed municipal corporations to launch special drives and along with political parties want India Against Corruption Movement members in Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption crusade to join the efforts.
The election commission has asked Team Anna to campaign for higher voter participation and strengthening of democracy. In a recent statement, the EC said, “The CEC has requested civil society groups to extend support to the ongoing positive efforts of the commission to enhance voters’ participation in elections and strengthen democracy.” Hazare’s group has stressed the need to introduce ‘the right to recall’, which the commission said would prove impractical.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) spokesperson Ankush Kakade said, “All political parties and organizations should ensure high percentage voting in the civic elections. Activists from Pune who joined Anna’s agitation should take the initiative to create awareness among voters.”
Hazare’s supporters said they would start the campaign to encourage voters. “We are discussing the matter in various fora and sending SMSes. In the last week before voting we plan to launch vigorous reachout programmes to bring out middle and upper-middle class voters,” Deepak Bharadia, a leader from Indian Against Corruption’s Pune chapter, said.
Hazare’s supporters plan to join hands with local NGOs for the campaign. “We are not supporting or opposing any party or candidate. People themselves have to decide whom they want to vote. Our task is to make them vote,” said Bharadia.
The social crusader had called for voters to be empowered with the right to reject and right to recall non-performing and corrupt representatives. Team Anna demanded that the Election Commission should include none of the above option in EVMs.
Currently, according to election rules, section 49 allows a voter a ‘none of the above’ choice but violates his secrecy as the individual needs to fill a form at the polling booth. Converting this into an electronic format will allow the voter to remain anonymous. The Election Commission has repeatedly said that the right to recall is not practical for India. Hazare supporters in city are scattered. “At individual levels, we are telling people to vote, but a collective effort would go a long way,” Vivek Waghchoure, who participated in Anna’s agitation in Pune in August, said.
The Pune Vikas and Lokkalyan Samiti (PVLS), comprising civic activists and former government officials has started an awareness campaign. “We want citizens to choose their candidates. We are not supporting any political party. All civic groups should boost voting percentage,” PVLS president Sudhir Mandke said.
