LETTERS TO THE EDITOR THE ASSAM TRIBUNE, PUBLISHED ON 09.04.2011

ROLE OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION



Post T.N Sessan Election Commission of India is gaining its role-clarity ascertained more and more as one of the most powerful, impartial and strong Constitutional entity in India. This time, in Assam, the role of the Election Commission is highly laudable. The present Election Commission in maintaining its legacy with high spirit and competency beyond doubts. Except, perhaps the big road shows, by two of the existing Ministers, actions of which are immediately initiated, all are seem smooth till date. The cities and towns, even the suburban and rural village centers are clean without much ado on election exhibitionism. The recent import of South-Indian-style-cut-out culture, to the voters of Assam, mostly by the ruling party and also by some of the other parties, could not be experienced in a big way. The low key offices are placed inside the residential boundaries with limited banner and posters. Even the sound pollution with PAS too is limited. The effort of the Election Commission is to make the Election to be in the minds of the voters not in the peripheral show-biz. It seems creating an impact in the society only for the strong vigil and impartial implementation of laid down rules and instructions by the Election Commission.
For such unpolluted atmosphere from disproportionate posters and banners, big life-size cut-outs of candidates and their mentors, high voltage sounds, big convoys of bikes or cars, and specially for helping for creation of a candid, peaceful and silent mind of the voters to decide, the Election Commission really deserves credit.
We expect more and more vigilance and strict implementation of rules, specially in the election days, in the polling stations and otherwise, in movement of doubtful vehicles, transaction of so called overnight bribes, direct or indirect pressures by the local goons, touts till the last EVM is counted.
But unfortunately, the speeches of the candidates and most of the leaders are very low, where perhaps the Commission has not in full control. These are neither on policies nor in the manifestoes. These are all playing to the galleries. Most of the speeches are tasteless and devoid of values and ethics. These are of course personal mindset of the individuals. Two major ministers are concentrating mainly with the so called secret-killing or on the personal lives of the opponents. Healthy debates are totally missing. Mutual respect for the conservation and restoration of the democratic values are not at all seen.
The petty citizens including the Election Commission are perhaps the helpless viewers only.
And we get the representatives we deserve!

Yours faithfully,

Sibananda Kakoti
Nagaon, 782 001, Assam
Not for publication 9435060513