Returning officer or returning body
Roadmap for the election is rolling us to national polls to be held before the year ends. Many proposals are forthcoming to reform the election procedures. But one very important task-- selection of the returning/assistant returning officers-- needs serious review. In the past we saw election engineering/result tempering/media coup, where ROs and AROs played a vital role. In many cases, the returning and assistant returning officers (who have to work alone) could not withstand the pressure mounted on them by powerful quarters. As an insider I have witnessed many a case of willing/unwilling surrender on the part of the officer concerned. Resistance to such pressure often brought unfavourable posting, punishment and even end of career. So I would suggest placing the responsibility on a body, instead of a person. In addition to the Deputy Commissioners, District Judge, Police Super, Senior Engineer, Civil Surgeon, Bar and press club presidents, NGO representatives and members of the civil society may be incorporated.
The structure of the body can be designed after discussion among the stakeholders.
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