Clean candidates for next election

Over the years, we have seen how corruption, criminality and use of muscle power engulf electoral processes through the last three general elections since 1991 preventing the emergence of honest and efficient leaders at the forefront of national affairs. In order to address the concerns arising out of this realisation, that the civil society has formed a group with the leading pro-active citizens.

The entire nation looks forward to an election with clean candidates. This can no longer be a mere wish; it has to be a tangible reality by getting the fundamentals of an election process right. To ensure clean electoral contests the basic imperative is to obtain disclosure of wealth of the candidates. In fact, all their antecedents and records must be made known to the voters to enable them to meaningfully exercise their right of choice.

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The High Court last year had issued an eight-point directive to the Election Commission requiring it to collect and make public all information regarding a candidate's wealth, his/her personal records etc. which the EC must now be prepared to comply with.

The group is to put pressure on major political parties to field good candidates in the first place. Moreover, it will try and raise the consciousness level of people so that they demand to know all about the candidates and no undesirable elements can sneak through the system.

Democracy is the best system of governance and nothing but good elections can ensure its true efficacy. And for good elections, we need honest candidates.