Poll reforms

Sir, - In your Editorial ``Poll reforms'' (May 4), you have correctly observed that if consensus eludes, it is because such exercises are intended to be a mere ruse for avoiding any action. The fate of the Women's Reservation Bill pending for four years by now illustrates this point. Hence the need of the hour is to expose the real intentions of the political parties and build a powerful public opinion to force their hand.

It is in this context, the Election Commission's suggestion to make it mandatory for all recognised political parties to field adequate number of women candidates becomes valid and worth trying. As observed by you in the Editorial, political parties will no doubt circumvent this proposal by fielding women candidates from constituencies where they have no political stake or presence.

But this will expose their political skulduggery and the voters, especially women voters, will be able to see them in their true colours, and understand how hollow their promises are. A general backlash from women voters of all other constituencies against such political parties may also happen. Women's organisations can set up independent candidates and run an awareness programme among women voters who constitute 50 per cent of the electorate.

Above all, the knowledge that they are being closely watched may also pre-empt the plans of political parties to hoodwink the voters with their empty promises, as they have been doing so far.

M.K.B. Nambiar,

Palloor (Mahe)

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