The Odisha Election Watch (OEW) in collaboration with the National Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms organised a State-level convention on Odisha elections here on Sunday.
Noted leaders and election experts spoke on two themes, Transparency in finances of political parties, and Panchayat Election 2017 issues and concerns.
OEW coordinator Ranjan Kumar Mohanty welcomed the guests and stated that the OEW has evolved as a strong network to promote free and fair election in the State.
Home Department Additional Secretary Ananta Charan Nayak emphasised on active participation of all stakeholders to ensure free and fair elections. State Election Commission Secretary Rabindra Nath Sahu opined that voters should exercise their franchise rights.
Founder trustee of Association of Democratic Reforms Prof Trilochan Sastry said finances of the political parties should come to public domain. “It is very worrying that 80 per cent of funds of political parties are unknown. It is not a very healthy state of affair when the parties’ finances are not in public domain,” he said.
Former Chief Secretary and core OEW member Sahadev Sahoo emphasised on more turn over in ethical voting and increased youth participation in the voting process.
The inaugural function was followed by two technical sessions. The first session was chaired by journalist Dillip Bisoi.
Sambad editor Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said mass psychology has to be changed and election campaign days have to be reduced.
Former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo said panchayat election should be free from involvement of any political parties and elections should be purely State-funded to check corruption.
BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty said political parties should have inner party democracy.
BJD MlA Dibya Shankar Mishra highlighted on the importance of information dissemination at grassroots level and the youths should take the forefront in the political process.
The afternoon session was themed on free and fair Panchayat Elections 2017. It was held under chairmanship Justice Hrudaya Ballav Das.
Attending this session, former State Election Commissioner Sanjeev Hota said people have interest in panchayat election because they have easy access to the elected members.
Among others, Congress leader Ganeswar Behera, BJD MlA Sashibhusan Behera, BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma, CPM’s Tapasi Praharaj and CPI’s Ramakrushna Panda gave their views.