A Confused State

Many iterated about a nation in South-Asia being a failed state; a state borne out of divide and hatred. A state driving its national policies on hate quotient and abnegation of democratic principles. Such state would never prosper on global frontier. The entire world is swathed with various problems/issues, be it economic, ecologic or geologic. While most part of the world is grappling to stay just above the sea level there are states which challenges segments of other states with terrorism.

The society that has grown over past six decades under many distorted facts ingrained into their minds, bodies and blood. This cannot change overnight without the willingness of government. A larger section of society kept harping against the largest democratic society of this world. While the rest have been bullied into submission. The piteous people of Pakistan deserve better than this. They need a better society that can march ahead and shoulder the world to solve problem instead of inciting terrorism. The extremists (while all of them are so I would still stick to the usage) must mollify their stand and pledge to become the developing nation actively contributing to the global economy.

The first hand problem for Pakistan is not that they are on a verge of becoming a failed state but the fact that they are confused state. A state that has only single agenda of becoming a powerful state to combat precluded war will only further leave thm bemoaning the aftermath of the situation. The so called government is pronged with many internal issues which no longer continue to be their own syndrome. Pakistan government even if intriguingly foster to become economically conducive society there are enough elements there which keeps pushing the nation behind hard.

Their statesmen kept steering views; changed their mind every hour; kept people across the world guessing what would be uttered next. Indians were for sure not surprised on these swinging words and then the uncalled war hysteria & propaganda by the government (I mean the army) when the Indian government out rightly rejected any military action against the nation which continue to support the terrorist perpetrators in views and harness the future activists by giving enough ground to assist the assailants.

A day the government wishes to snub terrorists, call them non state actors. The next day these non-state outfits claim to support the Pakistan army. The other day the government asks the Indian counterpart to start the friendly talks, the next day they bring forth views to defend themselves and deploy artillery and military across their borders. Someday media reports of the cordoned off village of the only terrorist captured in the heinous Mumbai attack. The next day the same media house tries to fool people of Pakistan claiming reports of an Indian spy being captured. Well the very next day an outfit claimed of performing the crime. A morning Pakistan foreign ministry pledges to fight against their non-state actors, the same evening message erupts from the Pak-PMO world must help them to fight against the evil. Offfff…. Is there an end to their massive hypocrisy, I pity pak people, wonder how confused they must be!!!!!

Section 49-O

The question, "Can we protest against the incompetency of candidates facing the election", I asked in my last blog seemed to have got answered today. I received a chain mail describing about section 49-O. The verse goes like this

"

Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone! Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O". 

Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way; of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public.....

Please spread this news to as many as you know...Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India... show your power, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O) and pass this info on...

"Please forward this mail to as many as possible, so that we, the people of India , can really use"

"

I would like to set some facts straight and clear some dark cloud around the section of 49-O.

a) There is no system in our constitution with section called 49-O

b) There certainly are two amendments to 1969 ACTs namely 22nd & 23rd referring to anything other than electoral provisions

c) The section 49-O does exist in the bye-laws of election volume II. It states 

"Elector deciding not to vote.—If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form 17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark."

The difference definitely is in interpretation. The former states "I vote No Body" & bye law "Elector deciding not to vote". Though people can caste their vote in form 17A it is as good as not casting the vote. Apparently the counting method is not at all empirical. The vote count ignores the invalid vote and counts the total number of valid votes against each candidate. The bye-law no where has any further mention of the said section.

The faux interpretation in the chain mail was misleading and hurting in nature to many people as their emotional quotient has never been as high. The slightest of light in dark tunnel sends the false message of nearing the end of tunnel.

Last words "Desist from broadcasting wrong messages without correct connotations"