LS Polls: 3,51,628 voters skip from exercising their franchise in State
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 04 2014:
Political analysts today said it is unfortunate that a total of 3, 51, 628 eligible voters did not cast vote in the recent 16th Lok Sabha polls to both Inner and Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituencies.
The non-participation in the electoral process by such a large number of voters gives a bad name to democracy, apart from showing neglect of the democratic system, they added.
Altogether, 1, 39, 469 voters failed to turn out in the Outer polls while another 2, 12, 169 voters skipped from exercising their franchise in the Inner polls.
The Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, which is a reserved seat for the Scheduled Tribe, went to poll on April 9 last while the unreserved Inner seat on April 17.Counting of votes for the national elections will take place on May 16 .
In the polling to the Inner Lok Sabha seat, 6, 39, 900 voters out of the total 9, 53, 069 eligible voters exercised their franchise while 7, 72, 240 out of 8, 53, 069 total voters in respect of Outer.
The analysts said the failure on the part of an overwhelming number of electors to take part in the election is akin to 'violation' of the rights enshrined in the Constitution, and that it could be described as showing 'stiff opposition' to the Constitution as well.
Noting that representatives of the people make laws, the analysts asserted the people live under these laws and nobody can live outside this rim.
They added the Indian Constitution gives a 'big day' and a golden opportunity every five years to the people to remove their bad representatives in favour of a good leader.