Calls for change in the election campaign
- Imphal Times Editorial :: September 19 2020 -

Promulgating the idea of a new election campaign by flushing out the ill practice in the name of democracy is a dreamt of every sensible and right-thinking people of the state for a very long time.

Since the last couple of decades, the senior citizens and politically sensible people have been demanding electoral reform to make democracy meaningful.

However, the system that has been following in the country is so strongly protected that there is no sign of any possibility seen for bringing a mass electoral reform.

Well, the electoral reform demanded by various people and the Senior citizens who felt that there is an immediate need for electoral reform in the country is based on the changes and amendment of many technical contents of the election process that has been following in the country.

So it is natural that it will be a long way for those wanting to reform the electoral system to see their dream comes true.

Everyone knows that meaningful democracy will happen only if the electorate elected their leaders without any influence from those contesting the election.

Everyone knows these, but it is next to impossible of such thing happening in the present day Manipuri society.

Campaign meetings, rally, etc. are becoming an essential part of the election and for that what the workers of the candidates do to make the presence of a large number of people is an open secret.

Door to door campaign by candidates is also considered another element of the electoral process.

Since the election began after its merger to the Indian Union, people have never witnessed the electorate judging the candidate based on their ideology.

It was always the candidate that won who can influence the electorate using every means. And this is a fact.

Every election time at least 100 to 1000 youths are assumed spoiled while engaging in the election campaign of any candidates.

The way the election happens in the country is also called the greatest festival of democracy even by the Election Commission of India.

Now the point that this column wants to draw the attention of all sensible people as well the government authority conducting the election in the country is that we need to change the system on how the election is being conducted in the country.

Now leaving aside the needs for technical changes as demanded by those struggling hard for reform of the electoral system, the ECI in connivance with the state executives can make remarkable changes to the electoral process taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ECI can put restrictions on any form of public meeting – big or small that were commonly seen during every election time.

Gathering of not more than 50 people during flag hoisting ceremonies and other election-related activities can be made as strict regulations.

Instead of allowing them mass gatherings, the candidates can be allowed to publicize themselves through mass media of every means.

Electronic media, internet, and print media should be put as the only medium permitted to candidates to tell themselves who they are and why they contest the election.

Of course billboards or hoarding should also be an option to make themselves familiar to the voters.

However, a strict regulation to even disqualify if any candidates are found conducting door to door campaign for election or organizing camera meeting or public meeting may be helpful not only to reform the process of the election that has been practicing since a very long time but it will help save the mankind from getting infected by the dreaded coronavirus.

If a changed electoral process has been made and forced to follow it strictly, people will feel the real taste of democracy.