The two-day conference called by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) brainstormed ways to begin electoral and political reforms in the country and concluded with pledges and suggestions to bring transparency and accountability in the process of elections.
The 10th Annual National Conference also passed several resolutions aimed at introducing electoral reforms at people’s end.
Significantly, the conference concluded with the resolution that as part of the ‘Mera Vote Mera Desh’ campaign, all the state chapters of NEW will write letters to Political Parties requesting them not to field candidates with criminal records in elections. These letters will be accompanied by details of candidates with serious criminal records who have been previously fielded by the Political Parties.
Interestingly, a pan-India campaign will be unleashed by the watchdogs before lok Sabha elections through all possible avenues of communication such as digital, electronic, mobile. Also, the two-day conference called upon electorates to press upon political parties to include in their manifestos issues which directly concerns voters.
Notably, more than 600 attendees of the conference signed the pledge of not voting tainted candidates and reject inducements like cash, liquor vote in favour of the candidates resorting to such means for getting votes in election.
The conference called for brainstorming over electoral and political reforms advocated greater role for media in election processes on the lines of other statutory body active in the sphere of democracy.
“Although media is termed as the fourth pillar of democracy but unlike other three pillars (legislature, executive and judiciary) it doesn’t have any statutory or constitutional power, says Vipul Mudgal of CSDS.
The conference also reflected on the ill effects of paid news where the speakers alleged that a handful of corporate houses are unfairly influencing and moulding public opinion with the help of money.