Participating in the LS poll : More than the votes polled
- Sangai Express Editorial :: March 12, 2014 -

Two very contrasting news.

While the Chief Electoral Officer, O Nabakishore seems intent to walk the extra mile and ensure maximum participation of the people in the election to the upcoming Lok Sabha election, members of the Autonomous District Councils are testing the option of boycotting the Parliamentary election to not only air their grievances but to also pile on the pressure on the Government.

This is not to say that the ADC members have taken a final decision, but they do seem to have some reasons to feel sidelined by the State Government, defeating the very idea of holding elections to devolve power to the grass root level.

Just how deep this rot runs can be summed up in the manner in which the former CEO of Ukhrul district was at loggerheads with the elected members of the ADCs, with the latter boycotting him and not at all communicating with the official.

This is not all. The very fact that all the elected ADC members from Ukhrul district are constrained to stay put at Imphal to discharge their duty due to the potential threats from some powerful organisations is a pointer to the utter failure of the State Government to sit down and see how the issue can be resolved and an atmosphere created so that the elected ADC members can function from their home district.

That no thought has been given to this is there for one and all to see.

Yes the threat perception is clear, there is no doubt about it.

But on the other hand it also stands true that the source of the threats is a party which is negotiating with the Government of India and pressure ought to be mounted on the Centre to rein in the boys and men of the group which is seen as the major threat, in the Naga dominated hill districts, especially Ukhrul district.

However for all the shortcomings of the State Government and how genuine the grievances of the ADC members may be, it also stands true that it runs against the idea and principle of democracy when elected members, at any level, toy around with the idea of boycotting an election as important as the Parliamentary election.

This is a point which should not be lost on the elected members of the Autonomous District Councils.

Maximum participation is the goal that the CEO has set his eyes upon and this is welcome.

However maximum participation should not be seen and understood only through the prism of the percentage of votes polled or people coming out to vote. It should be this and more.

Participation should mean the people, especially the intellectuals, the civil society organisations and others engaging in meaningful debates and setting the benchmark for the political organisations and the candidates.

The first step towards this has already been taken up with a number of civil society organisations joining hands, discussing issues and drawing up a charter of points for the political parties to include in their manifestos.

Whether this will translate into votes or not is a different matter but it is time for the people as a whole to understand that participating in the election process is not only about casting their votes but also presenting issues before the candidates and the political parties they represent.

On the other hand, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer too should be on its toes to see if any of the candidates or political parties defy or violate the election code of conduct.

This may not be that easy, but at least the best efforts should be put in. With ‘paid news’ gaining currency, the media too need to be on their toes lest they cross the rubicon.

In sum participating in the election is not only about turning out to vote but also engaging in the debates and discussions that precede the election.