Underscoring the need for strengthening democracy at the grassroots level, Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao on Thursday called for treating the State Election Commissions in various States “on par” with the Election Commission of India by providing adequate funds and powers to the institutions and functionaries there.
Speaking at the first International Conference of Election Commissioners and Election Conducting Authorities for local self-governments organised by the State Election Commission of Maharashtra here, the Governor said that the State Election Commissions play significant role in conducting elections to local state governments, thereby strengthening democracy at the grassroots level.
“Given the role played by them in strengthening democracy at the grassroots level, it is essential that the State Election Commissions in various states are treated on par with the Election Commission of India by providing adequate funds and powers to the institutions and functionaries there,” Rao said.
Stating that the population of Maharashtra alone was greater than the combined population of Germany, Australia and New Zealand put together, the Governor said the task of Maharashtra State Election Commission was mammoth considering that the Commission ensured the election of 250,000 local representatives every 5 years from approximately 28,000 local self-governments across the State.
Rao lamented that quite often criminal record of candidates ignored in the face of winnability of the candidate. “In view of this, there should be broad-based consensus among political parties that persons with criminal background are not offered party tickets to contest elections,” he said.
The Governor said that since India was emerging as a youthful nation in the world, it was necessary to start ‘Democracy Clubs’ in schools and Colleges to engage students with democracy and the election process.
Rao exhorted the State Election Commissions to deliberate on making the electoral processes more inclusive for “Persons with Disabilities” and also for officials who were unable to cast their vote on account of national duty.
The Governor asked the State Election Commission of Maharashtra to create a digital platform for the sharing of experiences and success stories relating to the conducting of elections to local state bodies by various states and national governments. Such platform, he said would help in adopting the best practices.
Maharashtra’s Minister for Rural Development Pankaja Gopinath Munde, Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Maharashtra State Election Commissioner J S Saharia and Commission’s Secretary Shekhar Channe were among those present on the occasion.
State Election Commissioners from various states and election conducting authorities for local state governments from various countries are participating in the two-day conference.