The Times of India:Thursday, January 26, 2012.
MUMBAI: Sixty citizen candidates filed nominations for the February 16 civic elections under the expert guidance of Right to Information (RTI) activists Gaurang Vora, Mohammed Afzal and Arjun Tupe at the Khar library at Chitrakar Dhurandhar Marg on Wednesday. They were guided through the process as a mistake could cost them their candidacy.
Each candidate asked questions and went ahead step-by-step in detail, and RTI experts explained "asset declaration, hard assets and liquid assets".
"They were told to mention names of a proposer, seconders and family. They were also made to disclose joint ownerships. Filling up the form is a sensitive issue as it can be rejected due to a silly mistake due to lack of information. Their hands shook as they undertook the huge responsibility, particularly because the same question was asked five times. They filled it on a photocopy, then copied it on a hard copy, gave a pay order deposit, preferably cash, and then filed their nominations individually," said Santosh Awatramani, spokesperson, Mumbai 227, a platform to support citizen candidates. The pay order deposit is Rs 5,000 for men and Rs 2,500 for women, scheduled caste and OBC candidates.
Candidates spoke of their experiences while campaigning and were warned of what their competitors (political parties) could do. Mehul Kuwadia of Grey Cells trained the candidates on how to present themselves. They were also explained details about the code of conduct, campaign planning and execution and basic civic procedures by Vora and Afzal.
"Kuwadia also trained candidates in public speaking and press interaction. They have each been given ready-reckoners, handy tips via e-mail, as well as electoral data on CDs," said Awatramani.
Each candidate asked questions and went ahead step-by-step in detail, and RTI experts explained "asset declaration, hard assets and liquid assets".
"They were told to mention names of a proposer, seconders and family. They were also made to disclose joint ownerships. Filling up the form is a sensitive issue as it can be rejected due to a silly mistake due to lack of information. Their hands shook as they undertook the huge responsibility, particularly because the same question was asked five times. They filled it on a photocopy, then copied it on a hard copy, gave a pay order deposit, preferably cash, and then filed their nominations individually," said Santosh Awatramani, spokesperson, Mumbai 227, a platform to support citizen candidates. The pay order deposit is Rs 5,000 for men and Rs 2,500 for women, scheduled caste and OBC candidates.
Candidates spoke of their experiences while campaigning and were warned of what their competitors (political parties) could do. Mehul Kuwadia of Grey Cells trained the candidates on how to present themselves. They were also explained details about the code of conduct, campaign planning and execution and basic civic procedures by Vora and Afzal.
"Kuwadia also trained candidates in public speaking and press interaction. They have each been given ready-reckoners, handy tips via e-mail, as well as electoral data on CDs," said Awatramani.
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