Saturday, Aug 03, 2002
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By J. Venkatesan
``The day of white man observing what the native does is long past. He cannot determine what the coloured man does and whether he is doing it right or wrong. They are not superior to us.'' -- J. M. Lyngdoh
The Chief Election Commissioner, J. M. Lyngdoh, and the two Election Commissioners, T. S. Krishnamurthy and B. B. Tandon, told presspersons that the term of the State Assembly was due to expire on October 17, and that all efforts would be made to complete the process by October 12. The counting of votes was scheduled for October 10. Twentysix constituencies would go to the polls on September 16; 28 on September 24; 27 on October 1, and six constituencies on October 8. The model code of conduct would come into immediate effect. Asked whether the Commission would allow foreign observers, Mr. Lyngdoh said foreigners, including members of the Election Commissions of the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, besides diplomats and mediapersons, were welcome in their individual capacity, but not as "observers'' or "monitors.'' India had a long history in conducting free and fair elections and it did not need any lessons from other nations. "The day of white man observing what the native does is long past. He cannot determine what the coloured man does and whether he is doing it right or wrong. They are not superior to us,'' Mr. Lyngdoh said adding "one or two (of them) might be wanting to come here. But they will not come as observers and we discourage this.'' The Election Commission, known for its independent functioning, was competent enough to conduct free and fair elections and there was no need to assume that foreigners were better equipped. Asked if the Commission would find it easier if the elections were held under Governor's rule, the CEC said "it is always easier under Governor's rule if the Governor is properly chosen. If he is one-sided, he can be much worse than the elected government.'' Explaining how the whole process had been completed satisfactorily, he said the electoral rolls for all the 87 Assembly constituencies had been computerised in Urdu. Also, for the first time, the Commission itself would distribute the voter's slips at their doorsteps within the next 10 days. Voters would have to identify themselves at the polling stations by producing photo identity card or the voter's slip before the Presiding Officer, failing which he/she would have to produce any one of the additional documents to be prescribed by the Commission. Mr. Lyngdoh said that electronic voting machines would be used in about 7,000 polling booths in the State and some 8,000 EVMs had been pressed into service. And to ensure that all the Kashmiri migrants were able to vote, special polling booths were being provided for them in transit camps or nearby locations in Jammu, Udhampur and Delhi. This would be in addition to the postal ballot facility. Mr. Lyngdoh said the Commission would have observers from among senior civil servants, known for their independence and very tough stance, to ensure that instructions regarding the electoral rolls, identity cards and EVMs were strictly implemented. Making it clear that "Kashmir is not absolutely normal,'' he said that from the security angle, adequate measures would be taken to boost the peoples' confidence. However, a "little bit of personal courage is also required to cast votes.'' The CEC appealed to the Centre and the State Governments, all political parties, candidates, voters and the media to extend their full cooperation in making the election a success.
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