Human Chain Formation on CERI Day
Campaign for Electoral System in India (CERI)

10 October 2014

India is such a large democracy with multi-culture and multi-ethnicity. To create an inclusive democracy, India must revisit its electoral system. Our country is in the need to have a vibrant democracy with more and more participation and representation. The elections are infested by communalism, violence, hatred, corruption, sectarianism, and exclusion of certain sections of society. The candidates getting elected on minority vote share. This is the time that we really think about a change, a change which not only brings a more refined form of democracy but it brings quality change in representation.

In a constituency, a candidate is winning with a small percentage of votes and the rest of the votes are going down the drain. How do we stop this? How can we make sure that every vote is counted? Every citizen is represented.

This denial of representation is creating a sense of autocracy in the minds of the ruling class. The marginalised and vulnerable sections of society are suffering at all fronts, be it making laws for them, launching schemes on housing, land, water, employment, administrative, etc. As advocates for the marginalised communities, we have made all attempts to protest and demonstrate on the existing laws which are always biased towards the powerful communities.

More than 89 democratic countries in the world have already adopted to Proportionate Electoral System (PES). Countries in Western Europe with 20% and above women's representation in the parliament have adopted one or other form of PES. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1930 argued for Proportionate representation in India, “…..the only rational and just way of meeting the fears and claims of various communities.. no doubt that proportional representation will in future be the solution of our problem.” Jawaharlal Nehru, ‘Note on Minority’ Young India, 15 May, 1930.

Campaign for Electoral Reforms in India (CERI)

Since 2008, CERI has been spearheading a national endeavor to usher PES in India. The Campaign was started with an avowed purpose of bringing in more inclusiveness to all sections of people especially women in India not only in the Electoral System but also in governance.

CERI proposes:
o Mixed Member PES (MMP) wherein 30 % of the candidates will be elected through FPTP and 70% will be elected through PES.
o Each voter has two votes, one for the candidate and one for the party.
o Each party will prepares a list of candidates in the order of priority.
o The percentage of the seats gained by a party will be proportional to the votes polled.

CERI is organising Human chain to demand the change in Electoral system on CERI DAY, Oct 10, 2014 at Mandi House from 3.30 pm. Please join us in huge numbers and mark the day to celebrate that India needs change, India needs proportionate representation, and India wants democracy in true sense.

Regards

Leena
National Coordinator, CERI
Campaign for Electoral Reforms in India (CERI)
Head office: REDS, Reds Road, Shanthi Nagar, Tumkur, Karnataka 572102; 098451-44893
Delhi office: 63, first floor, Old Rajendra Nagar Market, New Delhi – 110060; 09811137421
Email: [email protected]

CERI DAY EVENTS across INDIA

1. Imphal, Manipur: Dr Nara Singh – 1000 people will gather at the central Imphal at Palace compound near All India Radio between 2-5pm. Human chain of 1000 people which will be followed by a public meeting and cultural events. The program has already covered in News and Radio in Imphal.

2. Bhubneshwar, Odisha: Manas Jena – 250 people will gather at PMG square in front of State Assembly between 10.30-1 pm. Human Chain followed by public meeting at the same venue. Invitation have gone to politicians and media and students of various universities.

3. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Sanjay Rai – 200 people will gather at Press Club, Lucknow between 2-5pm. The event will start with Public Meeting, Press conference and culminated by Human Chain. The program will be presided by Rtrd Justices, political leaders and senior Journalists.

4. Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Durga Jha – 100-120 people will gather at Pastoral Place at Bairang Bazar. The event will start with Human chain formation at 10 am followed by Press Conference at 12 pm and Public Meeting between 2-5 pm. Various political parties have been contacted to participate.

5. Delhi: Leena Dabiru and Khurrom Omer – 200 people will gather at Mandi House round about. The event will start with Human chain at 3.30 pm followed by Pamphlet distribution and Press Conference at 5-6pm. Activists group and students along with political parties have been contacted.

6. Ranchi, Jharkhand: R. Vishwabandhu – 200 people will gather at Ranchi to form human chain at Albert Ekka Chowk from 3 pm onwards. On 9th October will be the press conference, where the press will be invited to cover the event.

7. Karantaka: Series of event at Village level to district level to towns and in Bangalore.