Q-In Bihar Assembly election leaders are making scathing attacks on each other. It seems like war of words. The kind language used in election rally reminds us of Varun Gandhi’s speech. What are the supervisors of election commission doing? Why don’t you initiate judicial proceedings?
A-These kind of incidents are quite common in elections. Around 5-10 teams are assigned in every region for model code of conduct Imperiment. Their duty is to record speech given by every VIP leader. Few incidents have been reported since last few days and we are apprised of the foul remarks by the leaders. Supervisors remain alert. We have the recording of the speech given by leaders and VIP’s. Our legal team is looking after the incident. We appeal all the leaders to follow the model code of conduct without laxity. No doubt security was much better during this election. But the complaints can’t be ignored. We certainly give notice to the concerned leader asking the clarification. A notice from election commission is a blot on leader’s image. We will continue to take action and our appeal is for free and fair elections.
Q-Almost 44 percent candidates are going through criminal trials. Election commission submits the affidavits of candidate. But can’t stop them from fighting the elections. Should we accept that election commission is a powerless institution?
A-People blame election commission for influx of candidates of criminal background. It depends of Act of Parliament. Law is made for it. We don’t have any role in it. According to that law a person is not guilty until it is proved in the court. That is why we cannot declare them incapable. But Law commission recommended. Generally if there is a strong candidate opposition tries to ruin its image by putting false allegation. If there is any candidate with criminal background a vehicle with a magistrate and video team keeps vigil on him. It keeps the candidate on check. We have written to parliament and government, but they are not making any law in this regard. In last few days we summoned all the national parties. 7 national and 35 regional parties came. Unfortunately they didn’t accept the reform.
Q-Many candidates reached District magistrate with lot of vehicles during enrollment. Every candidate is spending crores of rupees. Is election commission afraid to take action against it?
A-If we see any such thing in Television or newspaper we take immediate action. Money power is a gigantic problem not just in Bihar but entire country. There is no panacea of this problem. However we send our teams. A lot depends on media too. There are 4500 IAS officials in our country, out of which 10-15 percent are in Bihar. There are 150-200 supervisors . We keep a watch on elections almost a year before. From voting card to nature of officials we keep a close watch. We have strategy on booth level. We prepare list of those with criminal background many people were arrested too .Elections were quite transparent.
Q-Why election commission is reactionary when it comes to tampering with EVM machine. Whosoever raises a question is arrested. If there is nothing wrong with EVM machine then why don’t you challenge people openly it will certainly enhance the belief.
A-All parties claim that EVM machine is functioning well. They said that the vote is stored, once we press the button but where does it get stored. We will be complacent if we could provide the receipt of proof. Indeed we believe in EVM machines.
Q-There is huge difference in the facilities available with commission 50 years back. What was the need of six phase election in Bihar?
A- The more the phase of election the greater is Commission’s effort to maintain peace and stability during that period of time .Our effort is fair and independent election. We had meetings with all the parties of Bihar , the parties said CRPF must be there as it lessens the burden of local police. The reason for 6 phase election was free and fair election.
Q-There is one more allegation that commission has implemented so many laws that it has made the entire process very technical. Why didn’t commission take such step that could increase the participation of people? Do you have any such plan?
A-There is a 15 percent increase in voting percentage this time. There was lot of enthusiasm among people.Loudspeakers were banned after 10 or 11 at night . As students and old people had problem. We gave permission to run 10 vehicles instead of 3 ,as compared to last time. We do this in order to reduce the expenditure for peaceful election.
Q-You are the first Muslim chief election commissioner of the country .How do you feel being at such post?
A- India is a secular democratic country. All religion are equal here. It doesn’t look good to mention the religion. This is one of the crucial post and I am proud of it. The Indian democracy is standing on this institution. People have immense faith in it. The responsibilities and image of this institution has colossal importance for us.
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