Convicts elect a Kaidi Panchayat in Sabarmati jail

Undertrials did not qualify to be a voter,jail authorities said,adding only convicts were allowed to vote.

R J Pargi,Superintendent of the Sabarmati Central Jail,said,“The election for Kaidi Panchayat was introduced a long time ago,but owing to infighting and other unfavourable factors,the elections could not be held earlier. Instead,members were selected from among the inmates through a selection process.”

The election in the jail was just like any other polls for gram and taluka panchayats. A notification was duly issued and nominations invited,scrutinised,withdrawn and rejected before the polling was held,jail authorities said.

As many as 57 inmates had filed their nominations,of which 22 were allowed to contest the elections.

A candidature was scrutinised on the basis of a candidate’s conduct,attitude,behaviour with other inmates,cooperation with jail authorities and others.

“The candidates were also allowed time for convassing,selecting their own symbols on the ballot papers and witnessing the counting process after the elections,” Pargi said.

The elected nine will help other convicts in running the prison smoothly.