Citizens for Democracy launched for awareness among voters in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: A civil organisation Citizens for Democracy (CFD) has been formed to raise the voice within the society that is beyond caste, religion and political biases in Andhra Pradesh.

Its inaugural programme will be on Sunday, October 1, in Vijayawada, where retired chief election commissioner (CEC) of India V.S. Sampat will speak on "Fair and Free Elections – Holding on to Indian Democracy."

Speaking to media at the Press Club in Vijayawada on Saturday, retired AP High Court judge and CFD president G. Bhavani Prasad said the ideals of India’s first generation of leaders post-Independence have not been fulfilled due to malfunctioning of the governance systems, corruption and defects in the electoral system. Their organisation will work towards implementing goals for which India aspired for Independence.

Organisation general secretary and former state election commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar said free and fair elections are crucial in a democracy. A correct voters’ list is essential for that. He said their organisation will work with political parties, public organisations and young voters to ensure impartiality of the election process.

CFD executive committee and former chief secretary of AP L.V. Subramanyam said there is need to focus on the fact that not all voters are coming to vote in the elections that decide their future for five years. As a result, results do not reflect the perfect public opinion. “For the electoral system to work properly, there should be a civil society that questions performance of governments and responds accordingly,” he stated.

Organisation’s assistant secretary V. Lakshmana Reddy made the announcement about the CFD’s inaugural programme to be addressed by retired CEC V.S. Sampat.