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| 7,769,012,944: count this figure and read on… | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 22: Keep on counting and you will loss track of count –it is Rs 7,769,012,944 the total wealth of 1354 candidates contesting the ongoing assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
The average assets of the candidates is about Rs 75 lakhs, while that of the Peoples Democratic Party candidates stand at Rs 2.6 crore, that of National Conference is at Rs 1.6 crore, and that of Congress is at Rs One crore. But, there are only 194 candidates with a Permanent Account Number –which means only 194 of them have been paying taxes or have at least once paid tax.
Wealth notwithstanding, there is a positive trend also that not many candidates have criminal backgrounds. Only 27 candidates have declared in Form 26, that they face some kind of criminal charges.
The analysis of wealth statement of candidates is important for the voters to understand in taking decisions and keeping a track of their candidates. One could know wealthiest candidates in the elections, and monitor how they performed once the results are announced. One could follow the profile of candidates put up by a particular political party. One could see the performance of political parties, impact of wealth of candidates on election results, how candidates facing criminal charges fare at the poll, or level of education and impact on election.
In 2002, the Election Commission of India was credited to have organised one of the fairest elections in J&K. This time in 2008, the people of the state seems to have expressed their confidence in the electoral process by voting in large numbers. The turn out in the first six phases is reported to be around 60%. This assumes greater significance since, as in the past, some political dissidents have called on the people in the state to boycott the poll.
While boycotting the poll is a legitimate way to express ones dissatisfaction with the political process, threatening disruptions and violence in an effort to deter people from voting is certainly not acceptable. So despite a few untoward incidents, including a couple of unfortunate deaths, the higher participation in the democratic process may be a harbinger for a better tomorrow.
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