Yet another edition of the biggest festival of democracy is going to be observed across Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday as it goes to polls to elect the representatives for its PR and Municipal bodies, the essential components without which the idea of local self-governance can’t be materialized.
 Despite the controversy over conducting of the polls amid the pandemic with most political parties seeking a postponement, it took little time for the election mood to generate and as per the State Election Commission’s figures, around 4,89,423 citizens which is almost 64% of the state’s total electorate strength will cast votes. While it’s an acid test for the administration to live up to the expectation that it can perform even amid the COVID pandemic, for citizens the day will also be a measure of their COVID responsibilities. And for making the great democratic event truly democratic, it’s also the moment for the contesting political parties to show that they are free from the evils of violence and money power. In short, it’s a day for all stakeholders to uphold the sanctity of democracy.
Local body elections, in the state and the country alike, always possess a unique character and are eagerly awaited by the people to convey their ‘reactions’ that usually accumulate over the last five years based on the services they received. This time, for Arunachal Pradesh it has actually been seven years, if the 2-year backlog in holding of PR and Municipal elections is taken into account. While real contests are always desirable to strengthen democracy, particularly when it comes to choosing local representatives who are by and large considered as the immediate trouble-shooters of people’s problems, in this edition, the state will be missing that charm. As much as 36 % of seats will see uncontested victories and this means the electorate of such constituencies are being deprived of their sacred democratic rights. Even if at the moment when the atmosphere is still laced with COVID fear, it might be a blessing in disguise, in the wider democratic context, it’s a loss in the long run. So far, barring the Vijoynagar incident, violence, thankfully, has been absent and hopefully, the trend continues on the poll day as well as in the run-up to the declaration of results.
 The SEC has repeatedly assured the state’s electorate that all preemptive measures including the pandemic-related ones are being rolled out so that democracy triumphs at the end of the day in a Covid-safe manner and it’s based on these, people will head for the booths.
It’s an important day for all- people, parties, administration and the SEC. Each one must have to stick to their respective duties to make the event successful.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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