The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has appealed to the Election Commission to disqualify candidates immediately for any serious violation of election code.
In a statement issued here on Tuesday, R. Murali, State vice-president, said that if anyone was found distributing cash or any other bribe for votes, the party should be held responsible and the candidate of the constituency must be disqualified. When students were found copying in examinations they were immediately debarred and, similarly, candidates violating the election code must also be suspended as the election period was crucial for stabilising the country’s democracy, Dr. Murali said.
At the same time, immediate action must be taken against voters who received money or other forms of bribe for casting their vote. In Madurai, though a good number of hoardings had been displayed for ensuring cent per cent voter participation, those requesting voters not to sell their votes were few. In Puducherry a good number of attractive hoardings were found insisting voters not to accept bribe for voting.
The PUCL appealed to the Election Commission to take strict action against officials, if they were found to allow money distribution. More officials and observers from civil society and even from political parties could be deployed to keep vigil against violations of election code. Voluntary youth groups might be formed with the support of local voters to carry out this task more effectively.
