Press Releases Archive

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.

The Lok Satta Party is seeking non-party elections to municipalities and municipal corporations as also direct election of municipal chairpersons and corporation mayors and formation of ward committees.

The party has decided to launch its campaign for municipal elections in 32 municipalities and 14 municipal corporations immediately.

The State leadership of the party held a meeting with leaders of 16 districts here on May 4 and 5 to finalize the party strategy for the civic elections likely be held in September 2010.

Giving this information to the media here today, party leaders Katari Srinivasa Ra, V. Laxman Balaji and V. Vijayender Reddy said the party would focus on the need for empowerment of local governments to improve governance. It would organize discussions and conduct ballots on the need for non-party and direct elections and ward governments. Preparation of ward manifestos and induction of youth and NGO representatives into the party would form part of the campaign.

In the first phase the party will launch the campaign in the following: Municipalities: Manchiryal, Bellampalli, Miryalaguda, Nalgonda, Jangaon, Kothagudem, Khammam, Machilipatnam, Jaggayyapet, Ongole, Chirala, Markapuram, Narasaraopet, Repalle, Tenali, Chilakaluripet, Gudur, Venkattagiri, Rajampet, Nandyal, Adoni, Yemmiganuru, Done, Guntakal, Chittoor, Madanapalli, Srikalahasti, Vizianagara, Bobbili, Bhimavaram, Tanuku and Srikakulam.

The party will launch the campaign in all the corporations going to the polls.

The party wanted the Government to assure college managements that it would reimburse the Backward Class students’ tuition fee and relieve the students of stress during examinations.