Withdraw October 3 circular on postal ballots: Stalin to EC

Stating that people believing in free and honest elections were shocked by the circular insisting on following the Bihar election model, Stalin asked the ECI, which ought to act impartially, not to engage in a bias act favouring the BJP and its allies by introducing the post ballots in the pretext of offering concessions to senior citizens above 80 years’ age and physically challenged people.

Suggesting that the issue of providing postal ballots should first be discussed in the Parliament and all political parties consulted on the modalities of introducing the postal ballots, Stalin, in a statement issued in this regard, urged the election commission to ensure that the proposed changes should strengthen the future of electoral democracy.

Remarking that more than being contrary to the principle of free and fair election espoused by the ECI, the new postal ballot system would amount to wasteful spending of taxpayers’ money and only help the BJP and its allies, Stalin said the confidence in electoral democracy would be greatly affected by the ECI attempting to disturb the level playing field and tweak the election results.

Opining that the proposed system would bury the invaluable secret ballot right of the people, Stalin who is also the Leader of Opposition wondered what was the guarantee that the senior citizens and physically challenged people would be safe if the booth level officers who distribute ballot at the doorstep or election officers who go there to collect the ballots were COVID positive?

Stalin also added that the October 3 circular has revealed the mystery behind the victory of the BJP led alliance in Bihar Assembly election.