It’s now only a hand-shaking distance away, the most hallowed event of the largest democracy of the world and steadfast efforts are on full deployment all over. ECI, the most trusted schemer of this rip-roaring event has devised the blueprint with a single motto- more freeness & more fairness. Elections in India truly, are intoxicating and beyond compare and many nations, perhaps even more economically advanced than us often magnanimously acknowledge it.

ECI has been doing its part religiously over the decades and now in Arunachal Pradesh their efforts are receiving some solid additions through the contributions from various democratically enlightened civil societies. Popularly known as the clean election campaigns, these are essentially mass awareness initiatives to educate people of the ill-effects of money culture in elections.

This year's general elections, if views of  experts are to believed, will break all previous records and is going to be the most expensive ever. The issue of money in politics is a matter of pressing concern across the democratic world and in India it really matters as evident from the desperate hunts for campaign cash and their recoveries in unprecedented amounts. From cash hand-outs to alcohol distribution and various other routes, money has been ruling the country’s election landscape for decades. It is startling to observe  how influence of money power entails a severely negative cascading effect. An election which gets tainted due to rampant presence of illegal money will definitely usher in poor governance, increase poverty, crime and social instability, all detrimental for the free flowing of a healthy democracy.

But the constant craving among citizenry particularly the youth, whose participation this time will also be an all-time high to put an end to the power of money in elections are welcome signs. They want to remain in and atmosphere of meaningful democracy and their feelings have been correctly deciphered by the ECI who has risen to the occasion and intensified its  drive against illegal campaign spending.

The civil society bodies and also the NGOs, primarily voluntary and non-profit in character can make a positive impact by highlighting the baneful effects of money culture to the people, which is not merely an election-centric issue  but  a fundamental public concern  too. They have played remarkable roles in Indian society since decades to counter-balance the expanding trends of majoritarianism and unilateralism, all counter-productive for a democratic atmosphere. 

And in Arunachal and all over Northeast, these associations, mostly community based are also great moral influencers and enjoy huge reverence and acceptance. Coupled with great persuasive powers and down to earth attitude along with their close proximity to the people they can play the desired roles and make the future democracy more alive & kicking.

It’s now only a hand-shaking distance away, the most hallowed event of the largest democracy of the world and steadfast efforts are on full deployment all over. ECI, the most trusted schemer of this rip-roaring event has devised the blueprint with a single motto- more freeness & more fairness. Elections in India truly, are intoxicating and beyond compare and many nations, perhaps even more economically advanced than us often magnanimously acknowledge it.

ECI has been doing its part religiously over the decades and now in Arunachal Pradesh their efforts are receiving some solid additions through the contributions from various democratically enlightened civil societies. Popularly known as the clean election campaigns, these are essentially mass awareness initiatives to educate people of the ill-effects of money culture in elections.

This year's general elections, if views of  experts are to believed, will break all previous records and is going to be the most expensive ever. The issue of money in politics is a matter of pressing concern across the democratic world and in India it really matters as evident from the desperate hunts for campaign cash and their recoveries in unprecedented amounts. From cash hand-outs to alcohol distribution and various other routes, money has been ruling the country’s election landscape for decades. It is startling to observe  how influence of money power entails a severely negative cascading effect. An election which gets tainted due to rampant presence of illegal money will definitely usher in poor governance, increase poverty, crime and social instability, all detrimental for the free flowing of a healthy democracy.

But the constant craving among citizenry particularly the youth, whose participation this time will also be an all-time high to put an end to the power of money in elections are welcome signs. They want to remain in and atmosphere of meaningful democracy and their feelings have been correctly deciphered by the ECI who has risen to the occasion and intensified its  drive against illegal campaign spending.

The civil society bodies and also the NGOs, primarily voluntary and non-profit in character can make a positive impact by highlighting the baneful effects of money culture to the people, which is not merely an election-centric issue  but  a fundamental public concern  too. They have played remarkable roles in Indian society since decades to counter-balance the expanding trends of majoritarianism and unilateralism, all counter-productive for a democratic atmosphere. 
And in Arunachal and all over Northeast, these associations, mostly community based are also great moral influencers and enjoy huge reverence and acceptance. Coupled with great persuasive powers and down to earth attitude along with their close proximity to the people they can play the desired roles and make the future democracy more alive & kicking.

---

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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