Team Herald
PANJIM: Political parties finalising candidates for the 2022 Goa Assembly polls may have to take another look at the prospects. As per directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) parties will have to make public the reason for selecting candidates with criminal antecedents, if any.
Along with the candidates, political parties will also have to publish the criminal antecedents of their candidates in newspapers, television channels and on their official websites, at least three times, before the polling day, detailing out reasons for failing to find clean candidates in the constituency. A dedicated ECI cell will monitor the implementation of the directions.
ECI has also directed law enforcement agencies to swing into action to monitor the movement or stocking of cash, liquor, drugs and other freebies, utilised during elections. From Wednesday, all the entry points to the State, including the coast, will be under surveillance for entry of commodities.
A high-level panel of the ECI, comprising Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra, Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey, held a detailed review of poll preparedness in Goa, as the term of the existing Assembly is set to end on March 15, 2022.
Addressing media persons post a series of meetings Chandra said the election to the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly has to be held before March 15, next year.
“Every voter has a got a right to chose a candidate. Hence, they should be well informed what are the credentials of the candidates once the nominations are filled, if they have got criminal records, that has to be published by the candidates through newspapers, TV, at least three times (before polling),” Chandra said.
He added, “This time political parties will have to declare on their official website and media if their candidate has got criminal antecedents. They will also have to give reason as why they have chosen a person with criminal antecedents and could not find a clean candidate. This will have to give voters full knowledge of the candidate and then they can make a choice. Ultimately, it is the voter who will elect, he or she is the person who has to vote and elect a candidate.”
Chandra said while the directions were in force earlier too, they were not strictly implemented. “From this election, we will ensure strict implementation,” he said.
As per available information, 28 per cent of the sitting MLAs have criminal background.
Chandra also warned against hate speeches adding that social media feeds would be regularly monitored to track hate speech and action would be taken in such cases. “We don’t want any hate speeches which vitiate the atmosphere and even social media be monitored and appropriate action will be taken,” he said.
Chandra also spoke of the concerns raised by political parties about the possible distribution of money and drugs to lure voters and accordingly, meetings were held with law enforcement agencies like police, Income Tax Department, Commercial and Excise Department to develop intelligent inputs. “We don’t want any holdings of drugs, liquor, cash and freebies which can be used during elections. The Commission has got zero tolerance to this area,” he said.
ECI has asked airports, railway authorities and coast guard to maintain strong vigil at all entry points. Narcotic Control Bureau has been asked to keep watch on drug distribution and consumption.
