The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) propose to educate the voters on identifying the ‘right’ candidates during the Assembly election. The information dissemination campaign will be launched once the process of filing nominations commences. “As and when the candidates file their papers, we will update our website with all information regarding the criminal and financial details of the contestants,” said Anil Bairwal, national coordinator, NEW, and Jagdeep S. Chhokar, founder member of ADR.

Briefing reporters at the conclusion of the two-day seventh national conference on electoral reforms, they said the campaign would be launched through the website at http://myneta.info, SMS and through a helpline at 1800-440. To get information via SMS, the users have to send MYNETA to 56070 or to 9246556070 

Trilochal Sastry of ADR and M.G. Devasahayam, conference chairman and founder-member of ADR, who were also present on the occasion, said NGOs and civil society organisations have resolved to work in a non-partisan, ethical and transparent manner and to press for a comprehensive bill on reforms of political parties. The meet also opposed the emerging trend of money power controlling the state government and the Centre.

The conference made 27 recommendations on varied issues including the enactment of legislation to introduce inner-party democracy and financial transparency in political parties. Besides seeking the removal of criminals from politics, some of the recommendations urged the Centre to implement a multi-party system that includes the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker and Chief Justice to appoint the chief election commissioner and state election commissioners and to include ‘none of the above’ option in EVMs.