Page 129 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Vision for a New Century Chapter 5

elections (2019) with an electorate size of 91.10 crore. It Rajiv Kumar took over as the 25 Chief Election
saw record turnout of voters (67.40 percent), and higher Commissioner of India on May 15, 2022. Previously, he had
percentile participation of women compared to men for been an Election Commissioner since September 1, 2020.
the first time in India. A slew of initiatives like pan-Indian
The 16 Presidential Elections and 16 Vice Presidential
activation of Voter Helpline Number 1950, Voter Helpline Elections were held in the early months of his tenure on July
App, universalisation of VVPAT, appointment of Special
18 and August 6 respectively. Elections to the Legislative
Observers, developing voluntary code of ethics for social Assemblies of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat followed in
media, postal ballot facilities for senior citizens, Assured November-December, 2022. Elections in the three north
Minimum Facilities at every polling booth, etc., were taken eastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura were
during his tenure. conducted impeccably in February, 2023. This was followed
by Legislative Assembly elections in Karnataka in May, 2023
With Sunil Arora at the helm, the Election Commission
that saw highest ever participation in the annals of the state.
developed a sound COVID safety protocol to conduct
elections during the pandemic in 2020. First put to test Action against non-compliant Registered Unrecognized
during Bihar Legislative Assembly elections (Oct-Nov, Political Parties (RUPPs) has resulted in deletion
2020), he hailed the decision to conduct elections amdist /deactivation of 537 such deceased or delinquent
Pademic as "Leap of Faith". The title of this book is derived entities. Views were sought from all recognized national
from his quote. and state political parties on enforcing the MCC provision
of mentioning the financial implications of the promises
Sushil Chandra took over as the 24 Chief Election made in their election manifestos. The first round of
Commissioner of India on April 13, 2021 in the midst of discussion with recognised political parties on Remote
elections to the Legislative Assemblies in five states/UT- Voting was undertaken in January, 2023.
Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry.
The COVID safety protocols were further tightened in
view of a second wave. These elections were successfully
conducted resulting in an impressive turnout. The most
singificant event during Sushil Chandra's 13-month
tenure, was the conduct of elections to legislative
assemblies in five states viz. Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar
Pradesh and Uttarakhand in March-April, 2022. Refusing
to take chance, in view of third COVID wave scare,
complete ban was initially imposed on physical
campaigning. Thereupon a ‘graded response’ pattern was
followed in view of improving situation, which stood in
good stead. During his tenure, Parliament promulgated
the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, the most Lighting of lamp by former CEC O. P. Rawat on National Voters' Day,
important electoral reform in one decade. New Delhi on January 25, 2018

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