The EC code made all the difference

By Syed Muthahar

TIRUNELVELI, MAY 12. It was `an election with a difference' not only for the general public but also for the official machinery, political parties and candidates.

For electronic voting machines (EVMs) were used for the first time and the but Election Commission's code of conduct was imposed strictly even in the remote villages, giving no room for violation by parties and the candidates. For this reason, electioneering never picked up in any part of the district, except during the times of visit of the leaders.

The election code was enforced from the day one-issue of the notification. The aspirants had reserved walls in the town and rural areas even before the election dates were announced and candidates were selected. Some enthusiastic partymen even displayed the party symbols without the names of candidates. However, the writings on the walls of Government and private buildings were erased within a day or two. The warning to the political parties was clear: the Election Commission meant only business.

Till the last decade, election meant spending huge sums for propaganda, taking out rallies and display of banners, party flags and festoons.

Now, in the rural areas electioneering never picked up till the last minute. The elders there felt no election fever at any point of time. While the candidates themselves were happy about the strict enforcement of the election code, members of parties grumbled that this new system had not given adequate time for electioneering. The candidates were happy that campaigning came to an end at 10 p.m. everyday, thus sparing them the strenuous task of criss-crossing the constituency in the wee hours.

In the past, the campaining which commenced in the evening came to an end only in the early hours the next day. Moreover, the candidates were now using only one car or two cars, unlike as the past when it was a convoy.

Asked about complaints of too short a period being given for campaigning, a sitting MP, said 12 days allotted adequate enough. Time was needed only to popularise the name of the candidate among the voters, but this exercise would not take long. More time only give scope for wasteful expenditure, benefitting neither the candidates nor the public.

The same view was expressed by a senior member of a major party, who is contesting election for the seventh time.

The EC was strict not only with the political parties but also with officials involved in election work. According to informed sources, the Commission prevented top authorities of the district calling on the Chief Minister and other Ministers during their visit to the districts for campaigning.

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Section  : State Elections
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