A press release dated 30/July/2011 follows:
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“Government’s Version of Lokpal rejected by people – Overwhelming response to Referendum by Nagpurians”
Referendum on Lokpal conducted in Nagpur from 21st July to 29th July, 2011 by India Against Corruption, got massive support from general public. Provisions of Anna Hazare and Civil Society’s JanLokpal bill which caused the most contentious disputes with government were presented to the public in the form of five “Yes/No” questions.
A total of 37002 ballots were cast, of which 1112 were deemed invalid and rejected. Of the balance 35890 valid ballots, 29142 answered “Yes” to all five questions, indicating their outright support of the JanLokpal draft, and rejection of the Government’s draft. Only 98 ballots answered “No” to all questions, demonstrating that outright supporters of the government draft are essentially non-existent. 1443 ballots expressed no opinion on any of the questions, and the balance 5207 were mixed ballots answering “Yes” to some questions and “No” to others. These voters thus agreed with some proposals of the JanLokpal draft and rejected others in agreement with the Government.
The individual questions and votes cast thereon are as follows –
1. The Lokpal Committee must be independent – Administratively, Functionally, and Financially – out of valid ballots, 93.23% voted “Yes”, 2.04% voted “No”, and 4.73% expressed no opinion.
2. Lokpal must cover Government Officers, Politicians, Judiciary, and Prime Minister – out of valid ballots, 88.19% voted “Yes”, 7.02% voted “No”, and 4.79% expressed no opinion.
3. Corruption by lower officers should also be covered under Lokpal – out of valid ballots, 90.94% voted “Yes”, 3.96% voted “No”, and 5.11% expressed no opinion.
4. Lokpal Act should constitute Lokayukta for each state to tackle state level corruption – out of valid ballots, 93.18% voted “Yes”, 2.05% voted “No”, and 4.77% expressed no opinion.
5. Lokpal should have the power to prosecute, dismiss & recover financial losses from corrupt officers – out of valid ballots, 92.47% voted “Yes”, 2.71% voted “No”, and 4.82% expressed no opinion.
This referendum drive was flagged off at 11:00am on the 21st of July at Variety Square by garlanding Mahatma Gandhi’s statue. It was continued with great enthusiasm by volunteers of India Against Corruption till the 29th of July at prominent public places in the city, such as Akashvani square, Temples, Dargahs, Malls, Markets, Slums, Collector’s office, Bus Stands, Railway Station, Colleges, Gardens, etc. 90 ballot boxes were also used.
Senior citizens, housewives, students, shop owners, hawkers, business persons, people in service, etc. participated in large numbers in this activity. A great deal of anger and frustration was seen amongst members of the public against the vastly increased corruption in our country. Several people expressed the view that “the corrupt should be hanged” on their ballot paper, and many more expressed great admiration for Anna Hazare, while promising active support in this Movement led by him for enacting the JanLokpal bill.
Heartfelt thanks are hereby conveyed to all those who assisted and participated in this activity. Volunteers of India Against Corruption demand that the government not insult the wishes of such a vast majority of people, and enact the JanLokpal draft of Anna Hazare and Civil Society with all its provisions intact.
AJAY SANGHI
INDIA AGAINST CORRUPTION – Nagpur City Contact
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