Citizens hold mock BBMP elections

Citizens hold mock BBMP elections
Count Votes In Protest Against ‘Perpetual’ Delay
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Tired of the long wait for BBMP elections, citizens sent across a message to the authorities by resorting to a novel protest at the Town Hall here on Sunday.
Voters stood in queue, cast votes, their index fingers marked with ink and even a counting session was held — it was a mock BBMP poll drill, protesting against the postponement of BBMP elections that was to be held on February 21. It was people’s way to tell the government — “don’t delay the elections anymore”.
Feroz Pasha from Manoranpalya was the first one to cast his vote. “If the elections had happened as planned, we would have seen many pending projects being completed. Bangalore needs BBMP elections at the earliest. Why doesn’t the government realize that?” he asked.
The mock election organized by the state unit of Loksatta Party and organizations like Smart Vote and Janaagraha witnessed fair participation from all sections of the society, including students.
“We wanted to show that people want BBMP elections at any cost. With this sample people pressure, we hope the government will hold the polls without much delay,” said Meenakshi Bharath, an aspiring candidate from Malleswaram and vicepresident of Loksatta party.
Journalist and theatre activist Prakash Belawadi said a city like Bangalore needs a directly elected mayor with more power. “The government should conduct elections and also implement the Kasturirangan report,” he said.
N S Ramakanth, former president of Kumara Park RWA, said with no elected representatives, residents are unable to take up even basic issues like garbage. He also demanded setting up of ward committees.