Anna Hazare feels poll symbols should be abolished

Lucknow: Social activist Anna Hazare feels that abolition of election symbols will help in cleansing democracy to a great extent.

Mr Hazare has suggested that instead of the party symbols, the candidate’s face should be his election symbol.

“The EVMs should have photographs of the candidates instead of the party symbol. This will prevent sale of party symbol and the use of money power. Besides, the candidate will be forced to remain connected with his voters throughout his tenure,” he said while talking to a select group of journalists.

Mr Hazare said that at present, people vote for the party and ignore the candidate and the government that is formed belongs to the party and not the people. He also said that the “right to reject” should also be made more effective to check political corruption and remove aberrations in the electoral system.

The veteran activist said that “Loktantra (democracy)” had turned into “Bheedtantra (game of numbers)” and the rights of the people were being compromised.