|
CJP |
|
|
CJP |
|
 |
|
Gujarat Riots |
Crime Against Humanity
|
Note on Election Commission’s report on Gujarat [August 2002]
Hope Revisited
The Election Commission and the Supreme Court have restored faith in democratic institutions and the rule of law
Barely five months after the premeditated carnage of innocents all over the State of Gujarat, the chief minister, Narendra Modi deliberately dissolved the State Assembly, resigned in a crude plea to reap a harvest from bloodshed. On August 16, 2002 the Election Commission released its report after two extensive visits to the State. Both visits with representatives of the EC were extensive, the delegation met persons from the victim community and others. The findings of the EC are significant. The report states that us that at least ten per cent of the total voters have been disenfranchised by the violence; they point out that a climate of underlying fear and tension dogs the state.
The report clearly states that refugees, or displaced persons exist in large numbers in Gujarat and they are both those that live in relief camps and those that live in rented homes. The State has assumed scarce responsibility for feeding and clothing them. Fear prevents refugees from going back to the camps. Just as relief has been wanting, rehabilitation has been haphazard and negligent. Finally the EC also concludes that on the issue of justice too, the State government has lagged behind, with chargesheets filed only in a small number of cases. The EC depended significantly on the report of the State Intelligence that stated that 154 of the 189 districts had been affected by the violence, that the location of polling booths and the non-revision of electoral rolls following the violence would adversely affect the conduct of free and fair elections in the State.
Irked by the EC order that has in spirit, the State Government supported by the Centre sent the EC order to the President who has therefafter referred it to the Supreme Court. The SC hearing the reference on September 2 has upheld the validity of the EC order and will now hear the issue on the Constitutional issue.
Meanwhile, though the cynical moves of the State government have been aborted, it would be wise for the citizenry of Gujarat, committed to humane, secular and democratic values to prepare itself for the eventuality of facing a poll around November and December. Firstly, it would be critical to remember the directives set by the EC in it’s order itself.
Revision of Electoral Rolls
The draft electoral rolls published in May 02 will be published by the State Election Commission as Draft Electoral rolls. These should be displayed or put on public notice by August 28, 02. All citizens must be alert and put in their suggestions/objections to the revised draft by September 18, 02. The objections must be lodged with the Gujarat state election commission (Mr Gurcharan Singh Tel: 079-3220362 and Mr J.P. Jadeja (Jt CEO)-079-3250452). Please send us a copy of the objections that you may raise at Communalism Combat, Combat Nyay manch, sabrang @vsnl.com.
Remember the words of the Election Commission of India in it’s historical order dated August 16, 02:
“Every vote is a valuable vote and every voter wanting to participate in the election should be allowed to vote. Elections should be conducted in the most conducive conditions so that the “little” voter whatever be his denomination or background is allowed to vote” (B.B.Tandon, election commissioner, JM Lyngdoh, chief election commissioner, TR Krishnamurthy, election commissioner).
A wonderful opportunity has been given to us to make sure that the electoral rolls reflect the reality on the ground. In our estimation over two hundred thousand persons have been displaced. We must, together, ensure that their basic and ultimate right in a democracy is not cynically taken from them.
Teesta Setalvad Editor, Communalism Combat
|
