NEW DELHI: In an unprecedented broadcast to the nation president Venkataraman Saturday condemned ‘Saboteurs’ of peaceful elections and warned that parties gaining power through malpractices will lack public cooperation.
Expressing concern at election related violence and malpractices on May 20 Venkataraman called for ensuring free and fair polling during the next two rounds on June 12 and 15
The president said though it was customary for him to address the nation twice a year on the eves of republic day and Independence Day but today I would like to share some deeply felt thoughts with all of you. Venkataraman reminded the political parties administration and the election machinery that it was their onerous responsibility to ensure that the voter exercises his free choice without fear of intimidation and violence.
A government that does not reflect the will of the people cannot last long is one of the lessons of history the president said.
He said ‘a country ceases to be a democracy where the will of the people is not reflected in the elections and where the sacred right to vote is deprived either by a dictator or by musclemen employed by unscrupulous politicians.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 14, 1991
