The State Election Commissioner while briefing the Election Observers on Friday for PR and Municipal elections which are going to be held within less than a month from now has observed that they are the “eyes and ears” of the Commission. In the context of any elections in the country, this statement holds true and for Arunachal Pradesh where deviations from the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and influence of money culture are not infrequent, it has got an extra significance. After a long gap and despite the disagreement voiced by most of the political parties,  local body polls are going to be conducted. The Commission, this time, will be shouldering an extra work load as the situation is completely different due to the prevalence of COVID and people’s expectations will be much higher compared to all earlier editions, for this reason particularly. As a constitutionally mandated autonomous body, while discharging the holy duties of keeping the elections free and fair, it must also prove its calibre in making it Covid-safe.

The recent success achieved by the ECI in conducting Bihar assembly polls and other by-elections will invariably enter into discussion. It was not an easy task, keeping in mind the huge electoral strength of that state and the pandemic’s overwhelming presence. As a matter of fact, the success can be attributed to ECI’s in-depth homework before elections and that paid off handsomely. There are no reasons why the feat can’t be emulated in Arunachal if plans are fool-proof and execution is perfect. For that the entire administrative machinery of the state with the Health department as the key stakeholder must function as a composite entity, with the central objective to make the elections free from all loopholes. So far as the political parties irrespective of colours and ideologies are concerned, the two most sensitive issues for which they are often blamed are flouting of MCC and infusion of money and muscle power by ingenious methods. Like all other states (will sound a little over-generalisation, but true) these vices are present in Arunachal too and get manifested in various degrees. Given the fact that these cultures are now deep-rooted, it will take time and commitment by the concerned stakeholders to shun them. But an effort should be made and why not from this election.  

For the electorate, responsibilities are more than ever before as it will be a one-day affair which means at least half of the state’s population will come out from their homes to make beelines for casting votes and the SEC will be thanked if there is a ‘no mask, no vote’ directive.

It’s going to be a collective responsibility to be shouldered by the SEC, political parties and the electorate. Laxity in any one’s part might bring irreversible negativities. 

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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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