ECI strictures on electioneering and canvassing : Visible changes observed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 09 2012: The slew of measures and initiatives taken up by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to make the State Assembly elections free and fair has produced visible impacts on the ways of canvassing and electioneering in the State as different from the previous elections.

During a random assessment conducted by The Sangai Express in certain areas of Imphal West and Imphal East districts, remarkable changes could be observed in election practices as compared to the previous elections.

Unlike the previous elections, rows and rows of banners and posters generally put up across the roads and streets during election time could not be observed this time.

Apparently, political parties have shied away from racing ahead to put flags and banners on the main roads of Imphal.

Deviating from the earlier practices, very little crowds could be seen assembling in election offices opened at different localities.

Except for small street corner meetings, mega election related public meetings have been few and far between as of now.

By and large, canvassing is confined to small groups of supporters who woe voters in their own localities.

Massive rallies and house to house campaigns could not be observed on a large scale so far.

Nevertheless, despite all the measures taken up by the ECI, small groups of people particularly in the range of 20 to 40 people could be seen having banquets apparently at the expense of their candidates in their own localities away from public glare.

So far, open distribution of goods like blankets and cash could not be observed.

Neither large scale tea parties nor any scene of poll induced-exaggerated excitement could be seen during the field assessment tour.

Contrary to the previous elections, publicity campaigns using loudspeakers and embellishment of private vehicles with party flags and candidates' posters were not seen in any of the areas covered during the random tour.

However, publicity campaigns for candidates' flag hoisting ceremonies could be observed in many localities.

The earlier practice of candidates sending out their supporters in different directions and offering goodies and other materials to people, specially youngsters gathered around street corners has disappeared this time.

Candidates and political parties have also given up the practice of making propaganda through media in the form of publishing lengthy advertisements.

It appears that the measures taken up by the ECI has yielded certain positive results.

Notably, the ECI has already announced that the upper limit of the election expenditure is Rs 8 lakhs in the case of Manipur.

To check bogus voting, the ECI has made necessary preparations to take photographs of voters at all polling stations for comparison with the photographs attached to photo electoral rolls.

In case the photographs do not match, the particular polling stations may go for re-polling.

Yet, it remains a big question if the ECI's initiatives can check distribution of cash to voters by candidates at the time of voting which is usually done under thick cover of secrecy.

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