Satish Handa, April 9
The Financial World during a survey prior to Lok Sabha polls observed that although democracy in the country is nearly 70-year-old, yet illegal sale and purchase of votes goes on unchecked. While the government media keeps reminding people of the achievements on all general nd political fronts by talking in terms of ours being the largest democracy in the world, there is enough pessimism and dismay among the people over criminalisation of politics that continue to be reported. Talking to a cross section of voters to elicit their views as to how and why they vote, an on which grounds they select their candidates people expressed the views that they want ed to choose best candidates but political parties influence voters on the basis of money power plays deciding role in elections Voters are bought due to poverty, illiteracy and lack of awareness but the elected representatives do not pay any attention later on. Most of the voters opine, only those having unlimited resources to spend money participate in elections as money power certainly affects the polls by influencing voters, yet it is the direct selling and buying of votes, mainly belonging to weaker sections, which is degrading the election process, they added.
ADGP Law & Order in the state Navdeep Singh Virk while talking to this correspondent told that several teams have been constitutes in the state to curb illegal practice for the supply of liquor, drugs, arms and money during this period. He disclosed that as many 356 cases have been registered by the police in the state in a short period since after Code of Conduct declared by the election commission in which police was able to seize more than 2.25 lakh bottles liquor and beer of value worth crores of rupees, nearly 1984 kg intoxicated drugs including Opium, Heroine, Smack, Charas, Ganja and poppy husk. Virk disclosed that police recovered currency notes of value worth Rs 76 lakh and Rs 12000 fake currency notes from anti social elements during checking in past few days.
It has been seen that poverty, illiteracy and lack of awareness lead to voters living in slum and rural areas being bought. However, many voters prefer the candidates who share their own racial, religious or ethnic background, people have different views. A majority of people want a change in leadership, desiring to give a chance to a party which can promise stability, power to hold increasing prices of daily commodities, curb corruption and criminal activities. Many voters refused to disclose the name of political party they would vote. Few of voters frustrated over the attitude of politicians said, they will not vote to any contestant this time. It is funny all party leaders claim victory on all the ten Lok Sabha seats in the state, only the day of olls will tell which way the wind blows this time as most of the voters know the best use of their vote, Rattan Singh Dhillon, an educationist, a journalist and a renowned critic in the town said.