Learnings from BMC Elections
Responses Received
31 | Re: your opinion reg. BMC elections is important
1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote? Ans: I did vote. But many people do not vote. reasons are many. 1) they are satisfied people. 2) Only to complain is the habit. 3) They are fed up. 4) Lastly citizens also, some were, are corrupt and non transparent, thats why they are not bold enough to hold the elected rep. accountable. Citizens also do not pay expentiture taxes properly if a vendor says if u take bill there will be tax , he will not take the bill. So siphoning of money is also from the citizens.
2. What all can be done to get people to vote? Ans: Make voting compulsary. with some exemptions to seniors, sick or bedridden or make arrangements to get their vote.
3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes? Ans; As no proof available no action can be taken. Check expenditure properly. Even the video shooter is bribed.
4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding: – manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account? – election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.? – candidate’s profiles, details, etc? – voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc? Ans: candidate performance has to be seen and not just the manifestos of parties. Manifestos should be out atleast 15 days. All candidate details shoud be on net in a tabular format and also in the Political Parties website. Political parties without website be not allowed to put forward the candidtes. Independent and all candidate details should be on the govt website
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32 | From: Jayesh Morvankar
Dear Vinay,
There is lots to write but little time to deal with this. Here are some thoughts.
Regards Jayesh Morvankar
1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote?
2. What all can be done to get people to vote?
Declare “no holiday” for any elections as these are taken for granted and people drive out at the earliest without wasting time. Instead allow people to leave early or arrive late to work for the same. Ideally arrive later will work better as people once in office may not be able to reach back in time to vote or there may be a genuine requirement to stay back and work beyond the grace period.
In case a holiday needs to be declared, let it not be close to any festival or any long weekend. Voting days should be on Tuesdays after the 1st/3rd Saturdays or Wednesdays or Thursdays before the 1/3/5th Saturdays. This will avoid long weekends and an excuse for people to run out for a long holiday.
Campaigns are not done to the scale as they were done earlier. We receive very little or no information about the candidates or their credibility. More information about candidates should be dispersed via local media. Once we have a candidate in mind, we will vote!
Most often than note we feel like putting-in the voted but not to the any candidate form at the entrance to make a point that we do not think any candidate worth it. Candidature should be some qualified individual. These days we will vote for an educated and qualified individual rather than local heads (read goons) of various constituencies. A fight between better candidates can only elicit better response. There must be some qualifying criteria for the same. At least for the city of Mumbai which has a large population of the educated, let at least 12th grade pass or graduates be the minimum criteria to apply.
3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes?
4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding: – manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account?
– election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.?
I observed this time that, the voting machine did not have a large enough shield. We feel that the polling staff can guess whom we may have voted for just by looking at the placement of our hand along the voting machine. The hood was a mere 2ft across and 18 inch tall and kept slightly low. The hand movement is very obvious from the top. Besides the voting machine was kept horizontal instead of the usual vertical making it even easier to read the voters body language. (Voting Centre Municipal School DN Nagar, Andheri West for K ward, 60/5) – – candidate’s profiles, details, etc?
Read the note above.
– voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc? Think this has been smoothened out and works well.
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33 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
From: umaa@…
Dear Mr. Vinay,
We took holiday and stood in the que to attend the photo session of Identity card done by the Election Commission in Goregoan. But till now the card is not issued to us. Our names were not in the voters list also.
Kindly let us know how to include our name in the voters list and also our ration card has not been renewed even after submitting the forms in the Ration Office. We have to include our two children names in the Ration Card also. But do not know how to do this.
Best regards,
V.Chandrasekaran
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34 | Original Message —–
From: pallavi
1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote? I did vote.
2. What all can be done to get people to vote? only people who r voting should b allowed on the premises.high vigilancy should be maintained.As strong as army.
3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes? photo ID with name for ALL n not for some.
4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding: – manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account? dont know what to opine here.
– election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.? no voter shud b permitted to speak, coz with our kind of population people r yelling n shouting on top of their voices.time schedule seemed fine.shud ban crowds from parading b4 elections completely.y not use the media, or tv to do that?crowds cause criminal expense of gas for the country for jamming traffic.y shud neone b troubled for the sake of “VOTE FOR ME” attitude.This is one reason y lesser educated people donot vote.
– candidate’s profiles, details, etc? Maybe if TRUE profiles can be given maybe worth it.Cannot opine so well on that.
– voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc? was good n well done.
Thanks & Regards Pallavi Kapadia
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35 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
From: “beena” <td@…> My name was off the list – pls help on how to get it reinstated in the Beena Saldanha
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36 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
From: K. Laxminarayana Rao
Not voting is not a sin in my opinion. It is unique way of registering protest against the misdeeds of candidates, or expressing that none of the candidates are good.
As it is politicians get away with every thing they say people’s court has either pardoned or punished them. A day will come or it is already there where politicians don’t respect court verdicts and talk of going to peoples court. It is much easier to buy verdicts of their choice in people’s court rather than a court of law.
The question here is who should vote? And what should be the qualification of a candidate?
How can you prevent buying of votes when even the educated and learned people for the sake of Kursi (Chair) become slaves of politicians?
I think one should start with wasteful expenditure / consumption and societal Values / community values. Then Human values
KLRao
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37 | From: K.N. VENUGOPAL
I did not vote, because I am from Bangalore, and an avid admirer and wishing reciprocator (in Bangalore).
I would appreciate if you could send the manifestos, handbills for a basis of our activities in Bangalore.
Also, which segment of the voters did you start canvassing.
What is the role of businessmen (small), women, students in your campaigning.
If so did you concentrate on each segment or general voters which included these segments.
Did housewives play any role in this
Boy, I am asking too many questions.
Regards, K.N VENUGOPAL GANDHIGIRI
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38 | From: ask34amin@…
Since the politicians win with their vote banks and ultimately, it makes the good votes of loyal citizens invalid. This is the cast in very election since the last sixty years. India Inc. needs to send a massage to City, State and Nation’s government by not voting in any election. Arvind Amin
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39 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
From: KEITH GORE Re: your opinion reg. BMC elections is important
Yes I did vote, it is important as I said that you should note vote for a party in your area but for the person who will and who works in the area. If Agni had started their election campaign a year earlier things would have been far better and people could have fielded canditates in different areas.
There was a lot of confusion at the voting centres peoples names turned up in different lists etc.
Voting should be made compulsory for all who hold Ration Cards a provison on the card should be provided for this endorsement when you vote or the card stands cancelled. The use of the card for drawing ratons could continue but the person concerned should be banned from standing for elections & banned from voting in the next election. Every citizen should hold a Ration Card & only those should be permitted to vote.
The voters list should be prepared by the BMC as per the Ration Cards issued as it will create less confuson & both departments could be held responsible for this if there is a goofup.
Regards, Keith Gore
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40 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
Dear Shri Somani, I will reply to the specific questions asked by you in a day or two. In the meantime I am sending herewith a note that I have prepared on the role of NGO’s in BMC elections. I hope you will finf it appropriate. I.S.Rao BMC ELECTIONS – ROLE OF NGOS.
The BMC elections this time appeared to have generated lot of interest among the public including the ALMs (LACGs) and NGOs, but has thrown out results which was least expected, even by the winning parties themselves. From reports appearing in the various newspapers all the political parties seem to have tried all types of tricks including distributing gifts of money, sarees, etc., cajoling and even issuing threats to slum dwellers that they will lose water and power connections, etc., if their party is not voted to power A few of them even tried to win the support of ALMs and NGOs agreeing to include all their demands in their manifesto. It appears that by this measure some of the political parties appear to have won the support of quite a few members of these ALMs and NGOs, if not the parent bodies themselves. Even though ADR/AGNI tried to redeeming the situation by distributing charts evaluating the candidates by giving them star ratings (on the basis of affidavits filed by the candidates themselves), its efforts seem to have gone to waste since its ratings seem to have been misunderstood by the voters (see report appearing in Hindustan Times dated. 3-2-07, page 3) that the rating indicated the estimate of the chances of the candidate winning the election as made by AGNI, rather than their suitability. As a result no one appears to have paid any attention to AGNI’s evaluations. As a result, the same political parties who have, without any real concerns for the welfare of the city or its citizens, looted BMC for the last several years, have been voted back to power getting another opportunity to loot BMC, with their illiterate candidates (who do not have any real idea or understanding of civic issues, but only interested in filling their coffers), getting elected.. What went wrong and why do the citizens of Mumbai get represented by such people and why have all the efforts of ALMs and NGOs proved so ineffective in influencing the results of the elections? What can be done to ensure that only persons who are really interested in the welfare of the city and its citizens get elected to the Corporation? I would like to put forward my views and suggestions.
Knowing the real character, past performance, objectives and culture of all the political parties, it was wrong of the ALMs and NGOs to have had any sort of interaction with any of them. None of the political parties in India at present have any real principles or are really interested in the welfare of its people and the country. All of them are only interested in and their efforts guided towards capturing power at the state and central level by any means possible and utilize the opportunity to fill their coffers. The actions of all the parties over the years clearly demonstrate the fact that they are prepared to join hands even with the devil to win the elections and have no hesitation in making tall promises without any idea on how to implement them or caring for the consequences. They utilize every opportunity to make money and even while implementing all schemes and measures or framing all laws they provide loop holes to create avenues for making money. (See what happened to the scheme to fund nutrition schemes for underprivileged children- report in TOI dated Feb. 5, 07). What else can one expect from candidates with the type of background and history put up by almost all the political parties which themselves are fast becoming the dens of criminals, murderers and goons?
It is common knowledge that none of the political parties select their candidates for their character, principles or real work they have done in the service of the people, their community or the country. The only criteria for the selection of a candidate, whatever be his background or history, are his capacity to win the elections by any means, hook or crook. Their only objective is capture of power. Under these circumstances it is only natural for the candidates and the party to adopt any means possible and spend huge amounts of money for getting elected, and then try to recover their investment and make some extra money by using the system and all the opportunities it provides, once they get elected.. How can one expect such persons or the parties concerned to keep in mind their promises or abide sincerely by their poll manifestos and how can concerned citizens even think of extending support to such candidates or parties?
It is for this reason that I contend that municipal elections should be made out of bounds for political parties. Municipality is concerned only with civic matters and meeting the day to day needs of the local residents and is in no way connected with politics, i.e. governing, forming laws, etc. All India political parties, fighting to capture political power at the state or central level, try to leverage and utilize every opportunity including control over local bodies, to capture political power, make money and or score over their political opponents while local parties are only interested in filling their coffers. As a result civic matters get mixed up with party politics and suffer. Civic matters should be left to citizens to handle through their chosen representatives not attached to any political party. The ideal position will be for NGOs and local groups to elect or nominate local individuals to represent their areas in the civic bodies. This may be an ideal utopian situation, hard to achieve and will depend on the combined political will of the political parties who will not let the municipalities out of their reach. But ALMs and NGOs could attain this objective by joining hands and putting up independent candidates of their choice, not attached to any political party, and work towards getting them elected.
The charts prepared by AGNI for the current election have been prepared evaluating the candidates on the basis of affidavits filed by the candidates themselves, which by their very nature cannot be expected to depict the whole truth. Not only this, the charts as they are prepared now do not take into consideration the character, capacity, nature and integrity of the candidate, the real attributes required of him to represent the citizens. It is necessary that future charts prepared should represent the real suitability of the candidate on the basis of its own assessment of his suitability taking the above factors into consideration. It will also be necessary for the ALMs and NGOs to educate the people on the criteria adopted for the evaluation of the candidates by conducting mass awareness programs. Of course, this situation will prevail only till such time as the ALMs and NGOs have to support candidates put up by political parties or other independants, but will disappear once they decide to put up their own candidates,
Since money, gifts, cajoling, dadagiri, etc., play a major role in elections at present and the uneducated masses (I should say even educated ones) get easily influenced, it is necessary for the ALMs and NGOs to undertake a mass awareness programs well in time on a large scale to educate and inform and train citizens or real issues involved and where their real interests lie. The charts prepared by AGNI this time came out too late and no efforts were made to explain how the charts were prepared and what the ratings indicate.
ALMs and LACGs as they are constituted at present have come into existence on the initiative of BMC authorities and the NGO Council and are primarily intended to interact with municipal authorities for taking any remedial action in case of deficiencies in civic matters and are dependant on municipal authorities. I believe these groups can and should play a much wider and more beneficial role for the betterment of our society at large. For this purpose it is necessary that these groups should break free from BMC and become independent bodies and take up much wider programs such as adult and slum children’s education, helping destitute women and children, educating slum dwellers on hygiene, slum improvement and up-gradation, health care, etc. There are thousands of other avenues by which these groups can influence and help our society to improve. They have the capacity and also the means to take up such schemes, since they are empowered to collect a fee of one rupee per family per day from the local residents and quite a few of them have built up good bank balances but have not thought of good avenues to take up except such schemes as putting up flower pots on road side (which actually prove a hindrance for free movement of pedestrians), giving awards, holding contests, etc. By taking up such socially relevant measures, these groups are in a position to help, influence and improve our society to a great extent and also help these bodies to put up their own candidates elected to BMC and thus make all political parties irrelevant in civic matters.
I.S.Rao
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41 | Hi friends,
All calculations or opinions to improve our election Still if no money is allowed to be spend via Regards, Jitendra gupta |
42 | Hello,
I have been receiving emails from u since atleast one year. Believe me, have NEVER found the necessity to read them even once. But, I must confess that I was wrong since u r taking great pains to update citizens n taking there opinions.Its good work.
To opine my observations…..
1) voting systems may have improved , but NOT to the extent it should have.I feel ONLY the person who is voting should b allowed in a qordoned area.Not their kids n other family n friends.This will certainly avoid crowds.
2) Identity cards were NOT being checked.( only when a group of people barged in , which I assumed was the commitee people ) action was taken.
3) A ration card should not signify sufficient identification, since there r more than one names on it n no photo ID.
4) Cameras can take films of people misbehaving.
5) what use is it for women covering themselves from head to toe including their faces which were not being checked.
I am sure that if these things can b taken care by authorities more educated citizens will b encouraged to vote.
Thanks & Regards Pallavi Kapadia
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43 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
Fissures develop in AGNI Smita Deshmukh The Star ratings of candidates for the upcoming civic polls by city-based Publication : DNA; Section : Mumbai; Pg:3; Date: 29/1/07
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44 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
From: Paranjpe
I have not voted because of two reasons. This was the first time I have taken a conscious decision not to vote. (I am 70 year old. This is only to underline the fact that I have seen many elections and have voted every time so far)
Reasons for doing so are
I did not know the candidates myself and hence I can not select any. I could have selected a party and voted for the party’s candidate. I have been doing that all along. I do not want to do this anymore. Firstly because I could not trust the parties to select a proper candidate. Secondly because the ease with which people change their parties after getting elected under the banner of one party is nauseating to say the least.
There was no scope for registering your protest vote.
Rajani Paranjpe
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45 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
From: milton frank
me, i did vote… i always do. even though it’s an exercise in futility. and i won’t list the reasons. i know it, you know it, the world and its dog knows it. sure, light a candle rather than curse the darkness, but hey the rot is too far gone.
i’ve always voted for a ‘candidate’, next time i want to vote for ‘no candidate’, a negative vote. how do i do that?
i’ve long stopped voting for a party (they’re all the same); but i’d surely vote for a candidate. one who i’m convinced will make the difference. sadly, am still waiting for godot.
to jolt people out of their apathy and vote? tough call… the majority have grown cynical. but in the end it’s all down to clean candidates who don’t just mouth platitudes but actually have results to show. i know, it’s a chicken and egg situation…. which will come first? wait, is there a white crow, is there black snow?
buying votes! sighs! it needs powers that be to come down very strongly on such malpractices… but who will protect us from the keepers of the law. and why am i venting spleen before a stonewall.
it boggles the mind… why are there votebanks, election speeches, false promises, shows of strenghts and everything that’s woven into this farce called elections… when ALL it really takes is good governance, justice for all, law and order and an environment where the mind is without fear…
it boggles the mind… just give us this day our daily bread, and clean water and smooth roads, and justice… just deal with an iron fist with broken rules and corruption and high handedness… and hey, you got the BIGGEST, MOST LOYAL and ETERNAL votebank you can ever hope for.
but sadly we are a soft state when dealing with hard people, and a hard state when dealing soft people.
delusions, wishful thinking… why did i even bother to reply.
maybe because you still harbour a glimmer of hope that it can still be redeemed. may the force be with you
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46 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
From: dayal chandrahas I did not vote. None of the political parties, in my opinion, are good enough to rule BMC. I can vote only if I consider a party good enough OR I know a candidate or have at least heard about a candidate as a good person to vote for. I did not read/receive any manifesto. All the canvassing was party based not issue based. C C Dayal
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47 | claude_pereira@…
Subject: your opinion reg. BMC elections is important 1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote? Resp:Vote I did. In fact I along with a group of Volunteers prepared banners put the atop an Auto Rickshaw asking people to vote.” Vote you must” Vote for a good candidate, one who will work for your neighbourhood and a cleaner and better city. We distributed the ratings of the candidates as rated by AGNI & ADR of Ward No. 65 Vile Parle West. We went with a rickshaw which had banners atop, house to house in the West and South Gauthans of Vile Parle giving handbills and a megaphone exhorting citizens to vote, it was well received. We had a separate and similar rally for Vile Parle East
2. What all can be done to get people to vote? Resp: Chalk out a plan and inform people to vote.Vote for a good candidate. Create AWARENESS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD VOTE, that it does make a difference. At our Church gatherings we exhorted people to come out in large numbers and vote, that it would definitely make a difference. Take out rallys go house to house as we did.
3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes. Resp: I think it is difficult to curb this menace as parties do it very discreetly and nobody is willing to sing or testify that they have been bribed. Nevertheless a way should be found to curb this menace.
4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding: – manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account? – election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.? – candidate’s profiles, details, etc? – voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc? Resp: Manifestos etc are unrealistic until they are bound by it.This election I prepared a list of works to be carried out and done in all the departments of the BMC like Roads, drainage etc etc, and got all our six candidates from award 65 to sign them, which they did. ( I have sent you a copy of the same)
All the candidates signed them, one of the demands was that they attend the bi-weekly LACC meetings on 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings at 9.00 am between BMC and Public to sort out problems faced by the people. This was being done by the last Corporator Ms Nilanjana Shah who was a very good corporator.
I do feel that the present elected Congress corporator Mr. Jayanti Siroya will adhere to the demands put forward and which has been signed by his polling agent as he was not available. The demands are most reasonable, which should be done as a matter of normal course and citizens should not have to take recourse to get a written consent from the corporator.
I think the code of conduct is quite fair, there should be more time for candidates to canvass, also the rating agencies should be given MORE TIME to arrive at a fair and just rating, also TIME should be given to cross check the affidavits submitted for genuineness.
There should be a RIGHT TO RECALL if the information provided in the affidavit is proved false, also it the incumbent FAILS to live up to the aspirations of the people or is unable to fulfill the JUST and GENUINE, Basic necessities of the people.
There should be more centres where citizens can verify the genuineness of the list. These centres should be widely advertised
Another thing is that most names of Christian voters are GROSSLY MIS-SPELT, these should be rectified, also the ADDRESSES should be properly spelt and revised as a lot of new roads, chowks etc have come up lately.
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48 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
From: “Carlyle Gomes” <carlgomes_2000@…> 1. I did not vote because when I went to the polling booth I found I was not 2. Involve Coop housing societies to motivate the residents. 3. No idea. 4. The EC should pull up its socks.
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49 | shashank shah
Dear Vinay, My response is in red. 1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote?
Not applicable, as I always VOTE. Although we do not have any system for people who are not mobile due to medical reasons / hospitalised; and would like to vote.
2. What all can be done to get people to vote?
Surprisingly at many places there are long queues, which is a deterent for VOTING. One can have more polling booths depending on the percentage of voters casting their vote in a particular constituency.
3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes?
Provide basic amenities, like food, shelter, clothing, education and medical facilities. Once these are available to all masses, they will have no reason to stoop down to being bought.
4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding: – manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account?
So far in Independent India, no manifesto of any party has been completely followed, mainly on account of compromise due to political compulsion. The biggest example of recent times is the stopping of sale / privatisation of profit making P.S.U.’s due to opposition by Alliance party.
– election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.?
On this front the Election Commission is doing absolutely fine.
– candidate’s profiles, details, etc?
AGNI has just started this exercise and one Independent candidate has been elected from Juhu constituency. Though I feel AGNI would be more effective if, in individual wards, they propagate the Candidates profiled, details, etc., just like how the Candidates propagate. This is aimed at creating an awareness to the masses. But this should always remain apolitical, non biased and based only on facts and figures.
– voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc?
With reports in the Papers, The Election Commission is a Failure on this front. This is the main reason for chances of bogus voting.
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50 | Vitthal Dempo
The replies are hereunder each question in blue color. 1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote? I always cast my vote, but it is difficult to pull others to the booth. Several people in my own building did not go to vote and gave several excuses, and the same do not sound adequate and proper. There should be some rules pertaining to this and people not voting should be fined to the tune of Rs. 500/= the minimum for the first time and it should be doubled every next time later.
2. What all can be done to get people to vote? The law should be amended in this regard and fine must be imposed, secondly they should also be banned from earning several benefits in taxes, A tax some what like service tax can be brought in and the persons not casting votes should be charged 10 perecent of their earnings and spendings as non voting tax.
3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes? There is provision in law to prevent it but enforcement of the same should be in right hands. We need a few loyal workers who think of the nation first.
4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding: – manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account? – election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.? – candidate’s profiles, details, etc? – voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc? This needs deep study and I think there are some senior people around who may focus on these aspects.
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51 | H K Sudhakara
1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote?
I did vote in the BMC elections. Citizens responsibility towards the nation
2. What all can be done to get people to vote?
People should be told what will happen if they dont vote, particularly Rich and Educated people.
3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes?
Educating the people. This is a very difficult task because of the poverty and illiteracy
4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding: – manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account? – If elected party do not act as per the manifesto, such party should be banned from contesting next election
– election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.? – Code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc are ok according to me. My only suggestion is, once election is declared, President Rule should be imposed, so that, Ruling party cannot influence police and other governmental and other connected organisation.
– candidate’s profiles, details, etc? – This is required in great detail, particularly his source of income.
– voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc? – This is the big problem in India. Accuracy, registration, easy access, etc has to be improved. Present system is not enough.
H.K. Sudhakara
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52 | Vinayak
After Elections What are the ways if individual or group want to know how many funds is allocated to respective ward and corporater . What are the things S/he is doing for his/her ward in MBC If someone would like to know what are the decisions have been taken on Mumbai level. Vinayak
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53 | From: sadanand rao
Dear Mr. Somani, 1. I did vote, but very reluctantly since I know for certain that none of the candidates whether put up by the political parties or standing as independents are guided by any principles or any real desire to serve the people. All of them want to get in only to make money. All the manifestos and tall promises made by political parties are just promises soon to be fogotten after the elections 2. People will vote when they know for sure that the candidate they are voting is their candidate really interested in working for them and doing public good. Of course, mass awareness programs to explain the issues involved,conducted by voluntary organisations and local help groups like ALMs and LACGs and other NGOs well in advance of the elections,will certainly help. The main problem lies in the fact that the majority of the voters are poor and uneducated and are easily misled. 3. I do not think it is possible to prevent buying of votes as long the majority of the voters remain poor and uneducated when a few rupees can make a substantial difference in their life. However attempts have to be made by ALMs and other NGOs to impress upon these people the importance of electing good people without succumbing to the immediate gain of a few paltry rupees and the difference such people can bring about in the quality of their life. 4.You will find my answers to many of the questions you have asked in the note that I have already sent you. Regarding fairness I might as well inform about the complaint of my maid servant that her and some of her neighbour’s names had been omitted from the voting list even though they have been living in the same place for the last several years. It may also be worthwhile to investigate whether the electronic voting machines can be manipulated. May be it is ill founded, but I have become a little suspicious since I found the presiding officer omitting to press his button to complete the voting process after the voter had cast his vote, as he is required to do. When I pointed out this fact to the presiding officer in my booth, he just waved me off. I would not like to give any importance or credence to the manifestos and promises made by political parties since they generally tend to be populist made only to gather votes. I.S.Rao
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54 | Ms Chanda Asani
1) I did not vote as I was unwell. But was feeling quite miserable that I did not go for voting.
2) In Juhu the individual who won had gone to each house. I remember as a child too that candidates used to vist our houses and I presumed that they went to all homes and I think that helps.
3) I find it still difficult to digest that something like buying of votes happens but since you write it must be happening. Maybe the first step is to acknowledge such an act happens then we can evolve strategies to stop it – i would be a long process which would involve changes at all levels, starting from Primary school the importance of voting.
4) transperancy of Manifestos and accountability of Parties could make a difference towards voting patterns. Also awareness of what all the BMC does.
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55 | Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
Friends, A lot of post-mortem has happened on the BMC elections – ratings But that’s OVER now .. there is a new team in place and I believe we The politicians will remain politicians – unfortunately, the current The point I’m making is… NOW .. what is it that “WE” need to do. Let US be more vigilant, more concerned, more active .. Do WE have a gameplan ready ? How are WE going to ensure that this new BMC team is going to I think we should do some thinking on these lines and move forward. For starters, here’s some food for thought: Any suggestions, anyone else? Warm regards, Sandeep N. Ohri PS. Thanks to all who DID vote – don’t worry if the candidate of ——
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56 | Re: [karmayog] Re: What have been your learnings from the Mumbai civic elections?
The analysis that Jituji may well be true. I do not know what happens Namaste.
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57 | From: phiroz poonawalla
i am in Poona It was a MARATHI vote for Marathi Manoos Pro MAR and Gujrati votes for Shiv Sena Phiroz Phiroz A Poonawalla |
58 | From: VIVEK
1 ) Firstly voting should be made COMPULSORY,( except for physical absence ) as only 100 per cent voting will truly reflect actual democratic process. 2 ) Even after elections are over, citizens should form PRESSURE GROUPS to supervise their respective wards. Jai Hind Jai Bharat Mata. |
59 | From: prabhu
Re: your opinion reg. BMC elections is important 1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote? 2. What all can be done to get people to vote? 3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes? 4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding: |
60 | Posted by: “rup_she” rup_she@yahoo.co.in
Tue Feb 6, 2007 12:05 am (PST) hi Vinay, Yes this is very important BMC election bcoz right candidate select now
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