Amid the concerns over the alleged corruption cases during elections, Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) acting chairperson Khaidem Mani on Thursday announced its resolution to check corruption during the coming assembly elections. He said that people should know the voting rights guaranteed to them and choose to vote for qualified candidates.
Speaking at a press meet held at MHRC office in Imphal, Khaidem Mani said that the practice of buying votes has been happening in the state since the past many years.
Whenever an election arrives, be it for assembly or panchayat, the intending candidates will start constructing roads, houses etc. in the name of being a “social worker,” he said. It will not be surprising to hear that an intending candidate of any constituency has started spending money once the smell of the coming election comes, he remarked.
Other than carrying out such social work after filing the nomination, the rights of the public will be brought by Rs 500 and above, he said. These activities are well known during election campaigns but no one will dare speak out the truth, he added.
Khaidem Mani said that such activities are shameful considering that the candidate and public are involved. Questioning why people are selling their rights, he reminded that the rights are granted to each and every individual who can vote.
“Choosing responsible and a qualified candidate of an assembly constituency are the people’s rights,” he added.
He expressed concern that in connection with the coming assembly election, some of the intending candidates have started helping the public by taking advantage of the pandemic. He further remarked that the state has become a festival of corruption during elections.
People should know and become aware of the voting rights guaranteed to them, he said, adding it is their responsibility to choose a qualified candidate.
He mentioned that the people should also know that the candidates are responsible for making policies, plans, budget etc. for the state. Therefore, only the educated and well-known qualified candidates should be voted, he said.
To check corruption during elections and bring a change in the state, MHRC will launch a youth campaign soon to mobilise a free and fair election on the theme of ‘people for change’, he announced.
Khaidem Mani said that the campaign will be shortly launched within two weeks, as youths from every district are joining the campaign. The MHRC can recommend the Election Commission of India (ECI) to impose a ban on election campaigns like holding parties, having feast etc. in view of the pandemic, he added.