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Journalism of Courage
April 30: As many as 18 recognised regional political parties, including Shiv Sena have not responded to the Central Election Commission’s reminders on holding organisational elections, Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill said today.
Speaking to reporters, Gill said rest of the 21 recognised regional parties had already replied to the commission on the issue. He hoped the remaining would comply soon.
While declining to comment on individual parties on the issue of organisational elections, including those parties following the system of nominating their office-bearers, he said the commission wanted to promote internal democracy in the widest sense and wherever there were shortfalls the commission would think about it. Internal democracy in political parties was essential, since a healthy democracy works backwards to benefit the electorate and ultimately it is these political parties which represent the people in parliament and in the state assemblies, he pointed out.
Gill said that among the seven recognised national political parties, almost all had replied to the CEC’s reminders indicating their commitment to complete the process of organisational elections before or by May 31.
