NEWS PRISM, DELHI BUREAU
NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Lok Sabha election results, a coalition of civil society groups, retired bureaucrats, intellectuals, activists, and leaders from the Kisan movements has launched a campaign to monitor the vote counting process and the subsequent transfer of power. Operating under the banner “People’s Movements, Community Organizations, and Civil Society,” the coalition has initiated the vigilance campaign in major metro cities, including Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai, to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The campaign, launched amid political tension, operates with the slogan “Voters’ Will Must Prevail.” The coalition opposes media projections suggesting a clear majority for the BJP-led NDA, arguing that these projections could undermine public trust and the democratic process.
At a press conference at the Press Club of India, activist Nadeem Khan outlined the coalition’s mission to prevent any attempts at vote theft (“Vote ki Chori”) and the theft of the public mandate (“public mandate ki chori”). The coalition aims to prevent fascist forces from coming to power, stop electoral malpractices, and increase voter turnout. Khan criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) for its handling of the elections, citing heat-related deaths and low voter turnout due to poor planning.
Khan also accused the ECI of being influenced by the ruling party, particularly in the timing of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) notification and subsequent election dates. He targeted mainstream media, alleging bias and manipulation of exit polls, which he claimed benefited corporate interests close to the ruling party.
The coalition has set up helplines in Delhi and Bangalore to report any counting malpractices. They plan to notify the ECI of complaints, demand recounts if necessary, and file legal cases against wrongdoers, utilizing a team of lawyers, retired judges, and activists.
Syeda Sayydain Hameed, former chairperson of the National Commission for Women, criticized the BJP’s communal electioneering, while IFS (Retd.) Ashok K Sharma highlighted citizens’ rights to demand rechecks of EVM-VVPATs, a right granted by the Supreme Court. Human rights activist John Dayal and Kisan leader B.S. Rajewala also voiced concerns over the election process, criticizing the BJP’s handling of key issues and misuse of central agencies.
JNUSU President Dhananjay emphasized the need for the ECI to be impartial and responsive to public concerns about EVMs. The coalition urged all citizens to protect the constitution and democracy.
The coalition’s press release mentioned that significant consultative meetings were held in Bengaluru and Delhi to discuss the election conduct and strategize against potential malpractices. Key resolutions included the formation of a Vigilant Voters Task Force in all constituencies, legal measures for fair vote counting, and preparedness for peaceful protests if fraudulent activities are detected.
Signatories of the press release include prominent social activists, intellectuals, and leaders from various organizations.