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LESSONS FROM ERODE BY ELECTION  IN TAMIL NADU – FINDINGS OF THE STUDY

Nandini Voice for the Deprived, a Chennai based  not for profit organization , sought the views of the cross section of people  about the lessons from Erode by election.

The contacted persons  included  retired government officials, representatives of NGOs, educationists and senior citizens.

Highlights  of the  study is given below

Tamil Nadu’s dubious distinction

Certainly , it does not enhance the reputation of Tamil Nadu when one has to admit the fact that Tamil Nadu has become notorious for malpractices in the by elections .

In the past, Tamil Nadu had the dubious distinction of evolving malpractice models , which are now widely known as  “Thirumangalam formula” , “Aravakurichi formula”  and so many others . Now,  it appears that Tamil Nadu has evolved one more malpractice formula , which may  be  known as the “East Erode formula” in the coming days.

The East Erode by election in Tamil Nadu on 27th February  was reported to have  witnessed several malpractices.

The media has reported that In the  earlier malpractices  in   by elections in Tamil Nadu , it used to be bribing the voters with cash, gift and tokens to be exchanged for any article in the particular retail shop later.  Further, distribution of cash used to be largely done in the night time.

Now, in addition to the above strategies, what is reported  in  the media in the case of  “East Erode formula”  is that political parties are no longer extending the cash and other freebies in secrecy but  in open  . As reported in the media, one more strategy  in the  present  East Erode malpractice is to confine a large number of  voters in many closed areas for a day , so that they would not attend the public meetings  addressed by the leaders of other political parties.

 Further , in the days preceding the East Erode by election on 27th February, it was reported  in the media   that a number of  voters , particularly in the lower income group, have been given cash and gifts,  not once  but several times.

 In number of media reports,  it was  estimated that the total amount spent in East Erode constituency , consisting of around 2..1 lakh voters, by principal political parties contesting the election ,   could have exceeded several crore of rupees and this could be the costliest by election for  political parties  in India ever since independence.

Craze for freebies :

While  any responsible citizen would inevitably feel sad about the conduct of the political parties contesting the election , it appears that  in Tamil Nadu, the  craze for  receiving  free  gifts   and cash  during the elections , particularly  amongst those in the lower and lower middle income group , seem to have reached very high pitch.

Neither the  political parties  distributing gifts and cash to the people  nor  the people receiving it  seem to feel anything bad about this. This is a very disturbing trend , as it now appears that gifts and cash during elections in Tamil Nadu may become a permanent feature in the coming  years.

While the freebie culture  appears to  become a permanent  feature  in Tamil Nadu ,  this culture particularly seems to play  a huge role  during the  elections in the state.

It is a million dollar question as to   who is responsible for this sordid situation, whether the political parties in Tamil Nadu or the people receiving the cash and the gift.

Public perception :

Widespread public  perception is that the election commission of India which is expected to  ensure free and fair election , has not  discharged  it’s responsibilities  adequately during the East Erode by election  , as per  the expectations of the citizens.

Cases  were  filed in the court by individuals and groups about the malpractices in the  East Erode  by election and appealing for the cancellation of the poll.  However, the election commission assured the court that it would ensure fair election  and the court accepted the statement of the election commission and rejected the petition asking for cancellation of the poll.

While several reports have appeared in print, visual and social media  with photographs and case studies about the malpractices, the election commissioner has simply said  that it  cannot consider the reports   in the media for taking any action. 

Election commission has   said  that   around  500 complaints have been received.

What is surprising is that the election commission appears to think that somebody should make a complaint about malpractice  to enable it to take  action.  The  election commission has a flying squad    to catch violators for whatever it is worth.

 Election commission is supposed to be a watchdog and people wonder  as to whether the watching is being done adequately.

Powers of election commission :

A careful look at the provision of the constitution would make it clear that the election commission is a constitutional body and it has the power and authority to take strong decisions to ensure fair elections.

When the election commission does not lack power and authority,  then why is it not acting to fulfill its responsibility  adequately well  to ensure free and fair election ?

To find an answer to this   vexed question, the common man’s  attention  inevitably  turns to the individual persons who are appointed as election commissioners who have the  responsibility and authority to ensure free and fair elections.

Functioning style

The fact is that the government appoints  the retired IAS officers and election commissioners , who have served several years as   administrators , taking orders from the politicians in power. For the bureaucrats , it appears that the letter of law and not the spirit of law is the guideline. 

It is likely that when the bureaucrats are appointed as election commissioners,  they may limit their functions  as per the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law.. Here comes the problem.  The end result is , it becomes  a case of  “operation success and patient died”.

What guidelines for the future ?

To   avoid  such  malpractices which   preceded  East Erode  by election ,  to ensure free and fair election in future , the election commissioners should  focus on the spirit of law and not merely the letter of law.

It may be  that  the   retired judges due to their background  are more likely to function as election commissioners with courage of conviction and with understanding of the spirit of the law.

Thanks and regards

N.S.Venkataraman

Nandini Voice For The Deprived

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