District Administration gears for Inclusive, Accessible & Ethical elections 


Richard D’Souza
Kemmannu News Network, 18-03-2018 08:48:00


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Manipal : As soon as the election day declared, the enforcement of Mode of Conduct and other laws in relate to the election will come in force. Elections are the hall mark of representative democracy, allowing the people’s regular input in choices about leaders and policies, said Priyanka Mary Francis, Deputy Commissioner of Udupi district.

 

 

She was talking to media persons at Rajathadri here on Saturday, 17th March, she said that election management in the country has undergone a significant shift in recent ties with new methods and mechanism having come in place to deal with new and complex challenges. Simultaneously, the evolving social economic background and information habits of the Indian society indicate significant media penetration and consumption. The level of awareness among voters has increased. The appearance and entrenchment of internet and new media, particularly the social media have added completely new dimensions. Thus at election time, it becomes imperative that the media provides people with all information necessary to make informed choices.

Information dissemination in relation to elections, particularly during the process of election is extremely important for all stakeholders. Starting from the announcement of elections to nomination, scrutiny, campaign, security arrangements, polling, counting, declaration of results etc., all of these require widest circulation. The voter comes to know about the basics like: what, when, where and how of elections generally through the media. Even last minute changes of polling arrangements, violation of MCC, and violation of expenditure instructions, any untoward incidents or disturbances promptly come to the notice not only of the people but also of the Commission through the 24x7 media. Newspapers and news channels have very enthusiastically made use of the information relating to educational, financial and criminal antecedents of the candidates, contained in the affidavit filed by them along with their nomination paper, which is immediately uploaded on the Election Commission’s website. This has contributed to further honesty and transparency in the election system.

 

 

She said that in today’s democratic and political landscape, the watch dog role of the media is quite vital. Media can highlight incidents of use of muscle and money power by political parties or candidates and educate the electors on ethical and inducement free voting practices. It can also expose violations of Model Code such as divisive or hate speeches or unverified allegations in campaigns aimed at influencing electors. Violations reported by media are followed up by the Commission as in dealing with formal complaints. The media can sensitize the political functionaries and the electorate about the MCC and relevant laws and instructions governing the conduct of elections.

During the election however media is present and active at all stages which would also mean that they too conform to various laws governing the elections. It prohibits conduct of Exit poll and dissemination of their results during the period mentioned therein. It prohibits displaying any election matter by means, of cinematograph, on television on similar apparatus, during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll. The printing and publication of election pamphlets, posters, etc is governed by its provisions which make it mandatory to bear on its face the names and addresses of the printer and the publisher. The IPC prohibits incurring of expenditure on inter-alia, advertisement without the authority of the contesting candidate.

 

Prakash Kamath, resource person of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation   said that after the declaration of election date, the commission will put view on the expenditure of the candidate and for the candidate by the party. This time the candidate can spend upto Rs. 28 crores. Earlier in the election there was limit of expenditure Rs. 16 crore. Even the spending Rupee one more, then the candidature will be suspended. In order to control the spending on the election certain committees formed along with the video surveillance and other officials.

DC Priyanka said that any news or analysis appearing in the any media either print and electronic for a price in cash or kind which is also called paid news which the commission experienced the problem of Paid news on the ground during the electoral process. Political parties and media groups had approached the commission requesting for strong steps against Paid news. In the election arena, Paid News misleads the public, causes undue influence on voters and affects their Right to Information. It seeks to circumvent election expenditure laws/ceiling through covert expenditure. Paid news disturbs the level playing field among political parties and candidates. District MCMC examines complaints/issue of Paid News through a monitoring arrangement. It scan all media, print media, electronic media, cable network etc.

A committee has been constituted at ECI level to deal with the paid news cases. This committee examines cases of Paid news on appeal against the decition of State level MCMC and alsos references received from the State level MCMCs.

Once the cases are decided as Paid News, the Commission refers the cases of print media and electronic media to PCI and National Broadcasting Standards Authority respectively for taking necessary action in the matter.

O R Prakash, Election training officer said that the Election Commission of India is introducing Voter-Verified Audit Train (VVPAT) to provide instant feedback to the electors thereby buttress its claim that Electronic Voting Machines are tamper proof. This facility would display for a short while the names along with the symbols of the parties to which people cast their vote, which helps them in exposing any mischief on the spot with few seconds.

ZP CEO Shivananda Kapasi briefing about the SWEEP programme said thzat district administration is preparing for the forthcoming election with various awareness programmes being held and various jathas will be organized in colleges. The election pamphlets are circulated among the people. Wheel chairs and transport for these abled persons will be provided and one can call to 0820 2574811 regarding facilities available at voting booth and other matter. During the occasion Voting Awareness kits distributed to various officials.

Chief Project official Srinivas Rao, IAS probationary officer Purveetha, Media Certification and Monitoring Nodel officer Nayana were present.  

 

 

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