With the mother of all political battles set to begin very shortly from now, we gear up to see another high-voltage campaigns and rallies of political parties in Arunachal Pradesh and rest of the country.

The State CEO’s statement during a workshop at Rajiv Gandhi University that in spite of the various challenges, conducting a free and fair election will be its topmost priority and as a step towards that there will be deployment of ‘third eye’ i.e cameras to record entire electioneering process comes as an emissary of assurance.

 

This year’s election no doubt will be a mammoth affair. If one extrapolates the 2011 census data, with about 2 crore youngsters turning 18 every year then 2019 elections hypothetically will see an approximately 10 crore first time voters.  And this year’s National Voters’ Day celebrated across the country on January 25 last with the theme ‘No Voter to be Left Behind’ reiterates the commitment of the Election Commission.

 

The efficacy of Indian elections is time tested, it’s a fact few will differ. Same holds true when we speak about the EC.Since its formation, way back in 1950 it has no doubt played a stellar role in giving us free and fair elections. Over the decades, the nature of challenges has varied and EC has responded to these challenges without sacrificing an iota of inclusiveness, rule of law, efficiency, and accountability. Little wonder, it is one of the few institutions left in the country which commands unflinching veneration.

Although there are occasional allegations questioning the credibility of EVMs, nothing substantial has surfaced in support of its corroboration so far. Rather, to usher in further transparency we observe various technology driven tools being pressed into action, latest being the VVPAT machines, an apt complement to EVM.

Our country no doubt has experienced an epoch of elections and not without the pernicious elements such as dominance of money & muscle power, criminalisation of politics, financing of election exceeding legal limit, booth capturing & rigging etc.

But there are also antidotes. Placing CCTV cameras might be a clear-sighted one to secure the triumph of democracy.

---

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

<< Back to News List