Press Releases Archive

6th May 2010

To
Dr. IV Subba Rao, IAS
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Andhra Pradesh
Election Commission of India (ECI)
New ‘H’ Block South Wing, AP Secretariat
Hyderabad

Sub: Run up to the AP Legislative Council elections – widespread corrupt electoral practices reported – reg.

Dear Sir,

We would like to bring to your attention several, recent and credible reports carried by the print and electronic media, of widespread instances of bribing of voters, exercising undue influence (esp. by bussing voters to ‘camps’ outside the State and holding them there) and other attempts at voter intimidation by traditional political parties, their candidates and leaders, in the run up to the upcoming elections to the AP Legislative Council.

Such brazen attempts by candidates and their parties, as reported, at vote-buying and intimidation would surely act an undue influence on the voters’ electoral choice. Therefore they constitute nothing but corrupt electoral practices, under the provisions of Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act (1951).

Vote-buying through money and liquor has been a ubiquitous feature of elections in the country for some time. Illegitimate expenditure for such corrupt electoral practices is astronomical. However, in this case of elections to the AP Legislative Council (May 2010), new depths have been plumbed: it is widely reported that such illegitimate expenses have already exceeded Rs. 15 crores – just for one seat of the RR District local authorities’ constituency having only 653 voters.

If such brazen attempts to hijack the electoral process are allowed without hindrance, ‘free-and-fair elections’ would be reduced to a mockery and all canons of democracy and free exercise of franchise will stand violated.

We therefore urge the Election Commission to take cognizance of the reported gross violations of the RP Act and rules, in the manner of widespread and blatant vote-buying and voter intimidation and take all necessary action. We have faith in the Election Commission to act swiftly and decisively to curb such illegal, illegitimate and undemocratic practices.

Sincerely,

Katari Srinivasa Rao (General Secretary)
V L Balaji (General Secretary)
P. Bhaskara Rao (Secretary)

The Lok Satta Party today represented to the Election Commission of India to take cognizance of the corrupt electoral practices in the elections to the AP Legislative Council on May 7 and act swiftly and decisively to curb them.

In a memorandum presented to Dr. I. V. Subba Rao, Chief Electoral Officer, Election Commission of India, Lok Satta leaders Katari Srinivasa Rao, V. Laxman Balaji, and P. Bhaskara Rao referred to reports of widespread instances of bribing of voters, bussing of voters to ‘camps’ outside the State and other attempts at intimidation. “Such brazen attempts constitute nothing but corrupt electoral practices under the Representation of the People Act.”

The Lok Satta said that although vote buying through money and liquor has been a feature of elections, new depths were reached in elections to the Legislative Council in that such illegitimate expenses have already exceeded Rs.15 crore for one seat of the RR District local authorities’ constituency with 653 voters.

“If such brazen attempts to hijack the electoral process are allowed without hindrance, ‘free-and-fair elections’ would be reduced to a mockery and all canons of democracy and free exercise of franchise will stand violated.”

Talking to the media, the Lok Satta leaders said that direct election of heads of government ranging from Chief Minister to sarpanch, and election of legislators and others through proportional representation alone would curb money power in elections.