President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday raised concern over the “abuse” of money and muscle power in elections, maintaining that these malpractices “subvert” the spirit of democracy.
President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday raised concern over the “abuse” of money and muscle power in elections, maintaining that these malpractices “subvert” the spirit of democracy.
Mr Mukherjee, while addressing the 6th National Voters’ Day celebrations organised by the Election Commission of India, also urged the poll panel to reach out to young voters who do not have access to digital and social media platforms. He said while social media has raised awareness amongst the youth about the election process, special attention has to be paid to those who are “outside the ambit of the digital opportunities”.
The President said, “The abuse of money and muscle power to influence voters remains a cause of concern. The spirit of democracy will be subverted if these malpractices are not checked.”
The President. meanwhile, lauded the poll body for undertaking “innovative” ways to reach out to the electorate, particularly youth, so they exercise their right to vote in a free and fair manner as soon as they are eligible. “It is commendable the way EC has taken up initiatives for informed and ethical voting,” he said, adding India takes pride in being the “largest functional democracy” in the world where more than 84 crore people participate in elections. Mr Mukherjee said elections in India were not merely a festival of democracy but also a “gigantic administrative exercise”, a task which the EC and its officials have rendered with “perfect impartiality and fearlessness”.
