 |
| In
Mumbai, on Friday, at the International Conference 2018 on ‘Better Election for
Healthier Democracy’, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra
Fadnavis, Hon’ble Minister of Finance & Planning, Forests, Government of
Maharashtra, Shri. Sudhir Mungantiwar, Hon’ble Leader of Opposition,
Maharashtra Legislative Council, Shri. Dhananjay Munde, Hon’ble State Election
Commissioner, Shri. J.S. Saharia and Hon’ble Secretary, State Election Commission,
Shri. Shekhar Channe, released two books on ‘Profiles of Z.P. in Maharashtra’
and ‘Profiles and Profiles of M.C.’ in Maharashtra.
Elections to
Local Self-Government Institutes
could be part of ‘One Nation, One Election’ concept -Hon’ble Chief Minister, Maharashtra |
Mumbai,
26 October (S.E.C., Maharashtra): Currently, the concept
of ‘One Nation, One Election’ is in discussion, and elections to Local Self
Government Institutes should also be included in it, expressed Hon’ble Chief
Minister of Maharashtra, Shri. Devendra Fadnavis.
Shri.
Devendra Fadnavis expressed this, while addressing an international gathering
of authorities and experts in the Valedictory Function of International
Conference 2018 (25 & 26 October) on ‘Better Election for Healthier
Democracy’ organised by the State Election Commission, Maharashtra. This
conference was organised with the purpose of celebrating 25 years of 73rd
& 74th Amendments to the Constitution of India. Also present at
the Valedictory Function were Hon’ble Minister of Finance & Planning,
Forests, Government of Maharashtra, Shri. Sudhir Mungantiwar, Hon’ble Leader of
Opposition, Maharashtra Legislative Council, Shri. Dhananjay Munde, Hon’ble
State Election Commissioner, Shri. J.S. Saharia and Hon’ble Secretary, State
Election Commission, Shri. Shekhar Channe.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of
Maharashtra said, it is because Local Body elections are held throughout the
year, there is a prolonged period for which Model Code of Conduct is
implemented, which gives rise to a lot of complex challenges in the decision
making process. In order to overcome this issue, the concept of ‘One Nation,
One Election’ can also incorporate Local Body elections. Another important
issue is, due to agitations and protests various types of FIRs are filed
against political leaders; on the basis of this, the candidates are considered
criminals, but it should not be the case. In order to overcome these issues,
not just a transparent approach but also a practical approach is necessary in
the electoral process.
Not only devolution of funds,
functions and functionaries to Local Body Institutes will bring about change,
we should also provide for capacity building for elected representatives. There
should be trickling down of knowledge and information to the Local
Self-Government Institutes. Through this trickling down of knowledge and
information, elected preventatives should be made aware about their duties and
responsibilities. It is noted that polling percentage in Rural Local Bodies is
higher as compared to Urban Local Bodies. In order to increase voter turnout,
efficient and correct voter list should be prepared. AADHAR Card can be linked
to Voter List, mandatory voting, can also be thought of as possibilities,
mentioned Shri. Devendra Fadnavis.
Shri.
Mungantiwar said, we have restrictions to control expenditure by candidates
during election period only, but no restrictions otherwise. This is a paradox
which should be given a serious thought. We should try to inspire and motivate
good people, because for a healthier democracy, better elections should be
complimented with better selection. We should also make an effort for 100%
voter turnout in Local Body elections.
Shri.
Munde said, for better elections and healthier democracy, the state government
should always ensure the independent and autonomous status of State Election
Commissions. The State Election Commissions should also ensure that the
electoral process is smoother. There is an issue regarding disqualification of
candidates due to non-submission of caste validity certificate on time. Though
it is difficult to hold someone accountable, we should think of a possible
solution to this problem. There should be uniformity in the conduct of local
body elections through one single act for all elections.
Shri. J.S. Saharia said, serious
attention should be paid towards local body elections, and for which cooperation
of all stakeholders is expected. For this, control misuse of money power,
control menace of social media, fake news, etc., making elections more
inclusiveness, is necessary. These issues were widely discussed in the past two
days. In addition, importance of training elected representatives to Local
Bodies was discussed prominently.
‘Profile of Zilla Parishads in
Maharashtra’ and ‘Profile of Municipal Corporations in Maharashtra’ compiled by
State Election Commission, Maharashtra, was released at the hands of Hon’ble
Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri. Devendra Fadnavis. International IDEA, Sweden
and Commonwealth Local Government Forum, U.K., University of Mumbai,
Association for Democratic Reforms, Gokhale Institute of Politics &
Economics, Resource & Support Centre for Development, co-operated as
‘Knowledge Partners’. In addition there were various election authorities from
different democratic countries and international institutes present:
Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bhutan, England, Sweden, Sri Lanka. Also
present were State Election Commissioners from various states at the two day
conference.
Shri. Channe gave the welcome
address, Shri. Ajit Ranade, Founder Member, Association for Democratic Reforms,
gave the Vote of Thanks. Smt. Anuya Kuwar, Regional Programme Officer, Asia,
Commonwealth Local Government Forum, was the anchor for the conference.
