Members of 20 Gram Panchayats across Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts in Karnataka have come together to launch a “No cash for votes” campaign in the run-up to the upcoming gram panchayat elections in the State, in May 2015.
Select Gram Panchayat members have also formed the Vikendrikarana Balaga, modelled on the principles of decentralisation and values associated with it.
The group wanted to work with these values to bring about a change at the GP level and also seeks to inculcate a culture whereby citizens vote in local elections without taking money from candidates, according to a press release of Avantika Foundation, a non-profit organisation.
The Vikendrikarana Balaga “No cash for votes” campaign will spread this message through the distribution of pamphlets, organisation of ‘Jaatas’ along with school children and meetings with potential candidates.
The foundation has been implementing an innovative pilot project in 30 gram panchayats in Mulbagal taluk in Kolar district for improving governance and service delivery to citizens.
“Having worked with GPs for over three decades, I believe it is my responsibility to build a society which is clean and non-corrupt,” said K.M. Venkatesh, (70), president of Kundalgurkhi GP explaining his motivation to head the Vikendrikarana Balaga.
According to the Karnataka State Election Commission candidates’ guideline 2010, receiving and giving cash and gifts (saris, grains, liquor bottles etc.) for votes is a violation of the election code of conduct.
