To maintain a free and fair environment during the ensuing parliamentary election and to make the entire poll process a transparent one, the Election Commission of India (ECI) should impose total ban on liquor in Assam during the period of the model code of conduct keeping in the mind the recent hooch tragedy in Assam.
This important and significant demand has been made before the Election Commission of India by Mangaldai Media Circle (MMC) – a premier organization of media persons in Darrang district.
In a written submission addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, secretary Mayukh Goswami and adviser Bhargab Kumar Das of MMC have appealed to take strict measures to declare the days during the model code of conduct as dry day so that the electorates of the world’s largest democracy can enjoy a free and fair environment to take part in it without any temptation from political circles which has become a common practice during the poll.
In the memorandum it has been pointed out that some circles with dirty minds and evil intention before and during the election process were seen busy in diverting the minds of a number of illiterate electorates living amidst poverty in far flung rural areas by offering floods of liquor – be it illicit country liquor or the Indian made foreign liquor.
“As we always feel immense pride to give our identity as the citizens of the largest democratic country in the world, it is high time that we should create a healthy environment during the election in which we elect our parliamentarians to govern our country. It is also the need of the hour that every electorate is free from all pressures, temptations to exercise their constitutional right by delivering one’s vote in the election,” viewed the media circle while making a humble appeal before the ECI.
A copy of the petition has also been submitted to the Chief Election Officer of the State.
