Hyderabad, November 12: Telangana
Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) Chief Spokesperson Dr. Sravan Dasoju
has strongly condemned the Election Commission for inaction on his
request against the usage of pink colour ballot papers.
Addressing
a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan on Monday, Sravan said that the use
of pink colour ballot papers was completely against the spirit of
conducting fair and free elections in Telangana. Releasing the letter he
wrote to the Election Commission of India on the issue, he said that
the EC has been clearly briefed that pink colour was associated with TRS
party and in fact their party's flag is in pink color. "There was every
possibility of camouflage and voters would get influenced to vote in
favor of TRS party candidates, which is nothing but violating the
democracy," he said.
Sravan
said that the ECI first came up with a proposal to set up 'pink'
polling booths for women. And after Congress party objected to it, the
ECI withdrew its decision. "Once again, the ECI, represented by the
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, again issued orders (Memo No. 1605 dated
26-10-2018) for printing of 90 lakh 90 lakh EVM ballot papers in pink
colour. We've openly raised red flag opposing the introduction of pink
ballot papers that it would give undue electoral advantage to TRS.
However, the ECI in Telangana has taken no action to stop those
violations rather the aforesaid illegal decision is reinforced ignoring
the open plea made by us," he said.
The
Congress leader alleged that the repeated acts of Election Commission
of India were unconstitutionally favoring the ruling TRS party. If this
continues, he expressed fear that there was no possibility to conduct
elections in a fair and free manner. "It is incumbent on the ECI to
fulfil the constitutional responsibilities and ensure that free and fair
elections are conducted in Telangana. Therefore, we appeal to the ECI
to immediately withdraw the proposal of introducing the pink ballot
papers," Sravan said in his letter to ECI. (eom)
From
Dr Sravan Dasoju
General Secretary & Chief Spokesperson
Convener, Elections Campaign Committee
12th November 2018
To
The Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi
Sub: Request to withdraw the PINK BALLOT PAPERS in Telangana – Req. Reg.
Sir,
This is to inform you that the ECI’s decision of introducing PINK COLOR ballot papers is completely against the spirit of conducting fair and free elections in Telangana. The ECI may be aware that PINK COLOR is associated with TRS party and in fact their party’s flag is in pink color. Hence, there is every possibility of camouflage and voters would get influenced to vote in favor of TRS party candidates, which is nothing but violating the democracy.
The ECI first came up with a proposal to set up 'pink' polling booths for women. And after Congress party objected to it, the ECI took a decision to withdraw PINK polling booths. Once again the ECI represented by the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer again issued orders (Memo No. 1605 dated 26-10-2018) for printing of 90 lakh ballot papers in 'pink' color printing of 90 lakh EVM ballot papers. Immediately, we openly raised red flag opposing the introduction of pink ballot papers that it would give undue electoral advantage to TRS. However, the ECI in Telangana has taken no action to stop those violations rather the aforesaid illegal decision is reinforced ignoring the open plea made by us.
The repeated acts of Election Commission of India are unconstitutionally favoring the ruling TRS party, and we are afraid if there is any possibility to conduct elections in a fair and free manner in Telangana if this continues.
It is incumbent on the ECI to fulfill the constitutional responsibilities and ensure that free and fair elections are conducted in Telangana. Therefore, we appeal to the ECI to immediately withdraw the proposal of introducing the PINK BALLOT PAPERS.
Thanking you
Yours Sincerely
(Dr Sravan Dasoju)
CC to:
The Chief Executive Officer, ECI, Telangana
The Chief Executive Officer, ECI, Telangana
Encl: Memo No. 1605, dated 26thOctober, 2018
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