People's Democracy

AIDWA Protests EC Action

THE All India Democratic Women’s Association strongly protests against the notice issued by the Election Commission to one of its leading activists, Maimoona Mollah, threatening to strike her name off the electoral roll of her place of permanent residence in West Bengal. It is pertinent to note that Maimoona is the wife of Hannan Mollah, a sitting Lok Sabha member who has been elected regularly for eight terms now. Since he has been elected by his constituents to represent them in parliament, his wife and children also reside in Delhi but this in no way changes the fact of their permanent residence being in Howrah district of West Bengal. She is also working here, which she has every right to do. We would like to state that this is the case with many MPs’ families not only from West Bengal but from other parts of the country also but no such notice has ever been issued to their spouses.

The AIDWA also feels that the fact that Maimoona belongs to the minority community is also responsible for the completely irresponsible behaviour of the Election Commission which has struck thousands of voters belonging to the minority community off the electoral rolls.

The AIDWA wishes to state unequivocally that the role of the Election Commission is to ensure the democratic rights of Indian citizens, not to curtail them. Its efforts should be directed to facilitating all citizens, especially those belonging to the weaker sections like dalits, women, minorities etc. in the exercise of their rights to be recognised as voters and to be able to vote freely and fearlessly. We demand that the EC withdraw not only this notice but thousands of other such notices as well as various other measures to which it has resorted to deprive legitimate voters and citizens of their rights.