Basava Jaya Mruthyunjaya Swamiji from Kudalasangama Panchamasali Peeta along with community members raises slogans during a sit-in protest, demanding reservation for Panchamasali u...
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa congratulates daughter of Congress leader D. K. Shivakumar, Aishwarya, during her wedding ceremony with son of CCD founder (late) V G Siddha...
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Comoros Dhoihir Dhoulkamal after their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of Aero In...
In this file photo, is seen Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat from the cockpit of the Light Combat Aircraft 'Tejas' in Bengaluru. CCS chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a...
A woman wears a face mask on her chin and walks past a cake depicting the coronavirus on display at the annual cake show organized as part of new year celebrations in Bengaluru.
Supporters and members of LGBT community during Karnataka Queer Pride rally 2020, in Bengaluru.
Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa greets British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab during a meeting in Bengaluru. The government of Karnataka and the British Council signed a Memorandum of ...
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab watches the demo of a drone start-up company during his visit to IISC campus, in Bengaluru.
UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab interacts with entrepreneurs during his visit to IISC, in Bengaluru.
Karnataka farmers and supporters participate in a protest rally to press for repeal of the Centre's agri-laws and against the Karnataka Legislative Council over the passing of cont...
Police keep vigil as Karnataka farmers participate in a protest rally to press for repeal of the Centre's agri-laws, in Bengaluru.
Karnataka farmers participate in a protest rally to press for repeal of the Centre's agri-laws, in Bengaluru.
Karnataka farmers participate in a protest rally to press for repeal of the Centre's agri-laws, in Bengaluru.
KPCC President D K Shivakumar and former chief minister Siddaramaiah wear black ribbon during a protest in front of the Mahatama Gandhi statue in support of farmers at Vidhana Soud...
Members of various organisations participate in a protest in support of the nationwide strike, called by agitating farmers to press for repeal of the Centre's agri-laws, in Bengalu...
Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President DK Shivakumar (C) addresses a press conference regarding the ongoing farmers' agitation in Delhi, at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. MLC...
Buddhist monks pay tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 64th death anniversary in Bengaluru.
Karnataka Assembly Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri inspects the preparation ahead of the assembly session, in Bengaluru.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa pays tribute to Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar on the occasion of 'Mahaparinirvan Diwas', at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru.
Police personnel detain pro-Kannada activists during 'Karnataka Bandh' protest against the formation of Maratha community corporation by the state government, in Bengaluru.
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Veena Ramanna writes in the Indian Express:
The urban educated class in India is beginning to show renewed interest in the political process. While there are some groups that have chosen to take a plunge into the political arena head on by contesting elections, several others are choosing to engage with the electoral process in different ways. In this election season, it is not just the political parties who are preparing to reach out to the masses. A host of other professionals are getting involved in their own ways to be part of the process.
She goes on to enumerate and describe the work of some of these groups. While some of these are well-known enough, it'd be useful to record them here for reference.
Association for Democratic Reforms: Founded in August 1, 1999 by a group of Professors from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad and National Institute of Design and some alumni of IIM to work towards strengthening democracy and governance in India by focusing on fair and transparent electoral processes. Its PIL filed in Dec 1999 culminated in a Supreme Court order on Mar 13, 2003 requiring disclosure of criminal, financial and educational background of all contesting candidates. Since then ADR has done Election Watches in almost all State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. For the current elections, there is a National Election Watch which has regularly been putting out press-releases on candidates with criminal records. These are revealing lists as they show the rot cutting across party lines. Click here for the latest list:
SmartVote.in is focusing on three constituencies in urban Bangalore
Mumbaivotes.com is focusing on six constituencies in Mumbai city
Jaago Re began as an effort to enable new voters to register. In its work over the past several weeks, JaagoRe has over four lakh people registered on its website from across the country.
Still cynical? Read Veena Ramanna's full article: It's Your Vote.
Please help us expand this database. Tell us about more such groups and your experiences with them.
