Satyamev Jayate - Jinhe Desh Ki Fikr Hai

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Recent Updates

Claim the right to say 'No!'

Don’t take bribes in exchange for votes and demand accountability from your elected leaders. This is one of the strong messages that is part of the ‘Me and My VOTE are NOT for SALE' campaign launched in Karnataka in 2010 by the Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana (GPHA; Movement for the Self-Determination of Local Governments). GPHA has been working towards decentralizing power and ensuring clean elections at all tiers of governance. It also invites candidates to pledge that they will not buy votes.

In September 2013, the Supreme Court had directed the Election Commission of India to introduce the NOTA (None of the Above) option. However, GPHA is advocating that the NOTA option should also lead to rejecting a candidate or demanding a re-election. “Even if the number of votes polled by NOTA is more than those polled by any candidate, the candidate who secures the largest number of votes is still declared as elected, even if he/she has polled just one vote”, says Nandana Reddy, Convenor, GPHA. “In the case of uncontested candidates, they are automatically declared elected. There is no option for voters to ‘reject’ candidates through NOTA."

GPHA has petitioned both the Karnataka State Election Commission and the EC asking that if there is an overwhelming majority of NOTA votes in a particular area, citizens should be able to demand a re-election.
On 1 April 2014, the GPHA held an event called ‘I’m NOTA a fool’ outside Bangalore's Town Hall to demand that choosing the NOTA option has consequences. Through street plays, art installations and a participatory art space, the organization was able to reach out to almost 700 people.

Here are some snapshots of the event and the ‘Me and My VOTE are NOT for SALE' campaign.

Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana urges citizens to raise their voices against corrupt practices like the buying and selling of votes.

Grama Panchayat Hakkottaya Andolana urges citizens to raise their voices against corrupt practices like the buying and selling of votes.

GPHA was founded by the poorest and the most marginalized in rural Karnataka, and women have often led the charge. The campaign is now active in urban areas as well.

GPHA was founded by the poorest and the most marginalized in rural Karnataka, and women have often led the charge. The campaign is now active in urban areas as well.

GPHA activist Kavita Ratna says that when slum-dwelling children in Bangalore approached their political representatives, the latter said that the votes of their parents had already been bought. This convinced the children of the need to conduct a cycle rally and raise awareness about not selling votes.

GPHA activist Kavita Ratna says that when slum-dwelling children in Bangalore approached their political representatives, the latter said that the votes of their parents had already been bought. This convinced the children of the need to conduct a cycle rally and raise awareness about not selling votes.

The participation of children below 18 in this political campaign is a new and promising development, says activist Kavita Ratna.

The participation of children below 18 in this political campaign is a new and promising development, says activist Kavita Ratna.

A shopper in Bangalore’s Hal Market pledges to not sell his vote.

A shopper in Bangalore’s Hal Market pledges to not sell his vote.

Theatre group Shoonya and Volunteers for a Better India perform a street play outside Bangalore's Town Hall depicting conversations around better voting practices.

Theatre group Shoonya and Volunteers for a Better India perform a street play outside Bangalore's Town Hall depicting conversations around better voting practices.

City artists celebrate citizenship through a public art installation at the ‘I’m NOTA fool event’ in Bangalore.

City artists celebrate citizenship through a public art installation at the ‘I’m NOTA fool event’ in Bangalore.

‘Me and My Vote are Not for Sale’ also invites political candidates to pledge that they will not try to buy votes.

‘Me and My Vote are Not for Sale’ also invites political candidates to pledge that they will not try to buy votes.

  
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