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NEW DELHI: While assuring a level-playing field in the upcoming general election, chief election commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday appealed to all the political parties to maintain a discourse that inspires rather than divides, saying that it has an impact particularly on the young voters.
In a recorded address on the eve of National Voters Day — observed in January 25 of each year — Kumar promised all stakeholders an accessible, inclusive, free, fair and inducement-free general election, saying that a 96 crore-strong electorate, including 81 lakh persons with disabilities (PwDs), 1.8 crore 80-plus voters including 2.5 lakh above 100 years of age, apart from over 48,000 from the third gender, are eligible to vote at nearly 12 lakh polling stations manned by 1.5 crore polling and security personnel.
Describing political parties as the “pivot of our vibrant democracy” and the “second most important stakeholders in election process after voters”, the CEC said EC’s relationship with the parties rests on three pillars — full disclosure or sharing all activities and decisions of EC with them; complete involvement or including the parties in all election-related processes; and assured responsiveness, meaning being responsive to all queries raised by the parties.
“Political parties should also engage in discussions that promote ideas rather than personal attacks,” he said.
While stating that EC had embraced technology and was using it to add transparency to and improve the poll process, he warned a downside to technology in the form of challenges like misinformation or false narratives, deep fakes and artificial intelligence. Stating that these false narratives would be dealt with immediate and strict action, Kumar reiterated that EC would do everything needed to keep a level playing field for all the parties.
Sharing concern over urban and youth apathy pulling down overall voting percentage, Kumar hoped that the young and first-time voters would come forward and participate with great enthusiasm in the upcoming general election to the Lok Sabha and four state assemblies.
In a recorded address on the eve of National Voters Day — observed in January 25 of each year — Kumar promised all stakeholders an accessible, inclusive, free, fair and inducement-free general election, saying that a 96 crore-strong electorate, including 81 lakh persons with disabilities (PwDs), 1.8 crore 80-plus voters including 2.5 lakh above 100 years of age, apart from over 48,000 from the third gender, are eligible to vote at nearly 12 lakh polling stations manned by 1.5 crore polling and security personnel.
Describing political parties as the “pivot of our vibrant democracy” and the “second most important stakeholders in election process after voters”, the CEC said EC’s relationship with the parties rests on three pillars — full disclosure or sharing all activities and decisions of EC with them; complete involvement or including the parties in all election-related processes; and assured responsiveness, meaning being responsive to all queries raised by the parties.
“Political parties should also engage in discussions that promote ideas rather than personal attacks,” he said.
While stating that EC had embraced technology and was using it to add transparency to and improve the poll process, he warned a downside to technology in the form of challenges like misinformation or false narratives, deep fakes and artificial intelligence. Stating that these false narratives would be dealt with immediate and strict action, Kumar reiterated that EC would do everything needed to keep a level playing field for all the parties.
Sharing concern over urban and youth apathy pulling down overall voting percentage, Kumar hoped that the young and first-time voters would come forward and participate with great enthusiasm in the upcoming general election to the Lok Sabha and four state assemblies.
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