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Citizens’ candidates given runaround

Linah Baliga | TNN 

Mumbai: Some Independent candidates who are running as citizens’ candidates have said they faced difficulty when trying to collect forms from election staffers. Two such candidates are Varshaa Jain (Ward 150 in Kurla) and Gita Bhatia (Ward 214 in Malabar Hill). 
    Jain visited the election office in Ward 150 on January 22 and said she received positive feedback from officials. However, on January 23, when the forms were released, Jain said the election officer’s assistant refused to give her the application and nomination forms. “I was told that the ward number on my voter-ID was different from the ward I was planning to contest from. I can blame the system for that, because, despite repeated forms being filled and submitted to the election office over 15 years, my name continues to exist under the old address. Other voters in my society face the same issue,” Jain said. “But, thanks to the training I received from Mumbai 227, and my research on the net, I knew enough to tell the assistant that a candidate can contest from any ward as long as he or she is on the voters’ list.” 
    Jain said she was still harassed for being a citizens’ candidate and was told that she should get proof from the ward where her name was listed. 
    “Despite the BMC having an informative website, I had to approach the assistant returning officer to intervene. After a harrowing four hours at the election registration office in Kurla, the reluctant officer gave me the application form, but refused the nomination form as he wanted some numbers on the poll list. Due to internet server issues, I couldn’t get the details verified,” she said. 
    The next day when Jain went to the election office with the details, the officer refused to give her the nomination form again as he had been instructed to collect the voter’s eligibility certificate duly stamped and signed by the officer in the other ward from any candidate whose ward for contesting was different from the ward shown as residence. “Running from pillar to post to get that certification was unnecessary when all the information is available on the BMC election website. I wasted two days just to get my nomination form,” said Jain. 
    Bhatia, also from Mumbai 227, said she was given the wrong papers when she asked for her nomination form and was misguided repeatedly about procedures. 
Manch announces vision for city 
    The citizens’ group, Mumbai Nagrik Manch, was the first to announce its manifesto on Friday. With specific deadlines for all promises, it will concentrate on local issues like clean drinking water, roads, garbage and pavements. The group is fielding three candidates in the civic elections from Vile Parle (W) and Mahim. Manch convener Hansel D’Souza said, “We want the public to debate our manifesto. What is the purpose of having a manifesto if there is no discussion?” The manch also has a vision for the city. TNN