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EC should ensure neutrality

Kashmir Times. Dated: 3/17/2017 11:05:44 PM

Dear Editor,
It refers to recent media-interview of Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi rightly following his predecessors in advocating for selection of Election Commissioners by a collegiums also consisting of Prime Minister and Opposition Leader.
It is indeed surprising that while persons for all other such posts like of Information Commissioners and Vigilance Commissioners are selected by the collegiums, it is highly improper that Election Commissioners are still appointed by ruling central government that too when post of Election Commissioner is one such post which requires perfect political neutrality. In past, successive NDA or UPA governments were at some occasions were criticized for appointing their own man as Election Commissioners.
Election Commission this time has been issuing notices to some political leaders for their asking people to accept currency-notes from rival political parties, but vote for them. But such statements are merely one of many meaningless political jumlas used by political leaders in their political speeches, and should not be taken seriously. Rather this particular political jumla highlights secrecy of votes which many illiterate voters may not be aware of.
Election Commission should better withdraw such notices which may create unnecessary litigations. Instead it should ensure its neutrality by taking cognizance of an apparent road-show by Prime Minister on 04.03.2017 in Varanasi in name of going to Vishwanath Temple, because everyone knows that route of Prime Minister for such normal travel is made water-tight by not allowing any person or traffic even on footpaths adjoining roads what to say about roads of travel by Prime Minister. At least Election Commission can express its displeasure without taking any action.
—Madhu Agrawal,
1775 Kucha Lattushah Dariba Delhi.