The Election Commission’s decision to ban all political rallies, roadshows and other processions is a surprisingly bold move especially since display of political and numerical strength is considered as one of the key aspects of the noisy and colourful elections in Goa.
While the Commission has said that the measures are temporary and will be reviewed after seven days and possible every week to fortnight and depending on the situation will accordingly modify its instructions, one can’t help but wonder whether these restrictions will give us the worst of both worlds -- a failure to reduce the number of cases and control the spread while simultaneously denying us the colour and spectacle that are elections in Goa.
There is no doubt that the election rally is one of the most crucial aspects of the campaign period based on which parties attempt to showcase their popularity, announce their schemes, hit out at rivals and in general attempt to convince the voter that they are best suited to receive their votes.
Instead the Election Commission has asked political parties to switch to digital modes of campaigning. This leaves the voter who is not digitally savvy -- and who even today comprises the bulk of the population -- at a distinct disadvantage and left to fend for himself.
This isn’t to make a case against the need for restrictions. Restrictions are absolutely necessary and in the absence of any would mean a free for all including mass gatherings and massive rallies which would only serve to take the state’s tally higher at a time when memories of the severe second wave that claimed upwards of 3,000 lives is still fresh in the minds of the people.
The Election Commission faced flak for allowing rallies in places like Bengal to go ahead despite the country being in the grip of a second wave in places like Bengal that was said to have contributed significantly to the mortality experienced last year. Eager not to make the same mistake twice, the election commission has this time announced restrictions.
The challenge now is to ensure that the restrictions are implemented not only in letter but also in spirit. Even today political gatherings and rallies are being held including by the BJP and by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant himself whose government has imposed a limit of 100 people on outdoor gatherings was seen moving around with a crowd. Similarly the Congress too has held rallies.
The onus is now on the political parties and their people to come up with new and innovative ways to reach out to the people without the need for mass gatherings. Can they think outside the box?
