Archive:Exercise Franchise For Good Governance: Difference between revisions
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{{More footnotes|date=January 2011}} | {{More footnotes|date=January 2011}} | ||
The '''Exercise Franchise For Good Governance''' ('''EFG''') is an Indian civil society organization formed in 2007, that aims to encourage participation in elections. It believes that rise in citizen's participation strengthens [[political accountability]]. An accountable political system helps shape governance both from the perspective of Electors as well as Politicians. | The '''Exercise Franchise For Good Governance''' ('''EFG''') is an Indian civil society organization formed in 2007, that aims to encourage participation in elections. It believes that rise in citizen's participation strengthens [[political accountability]]. An accountable political system helps shape governance both from the perspective of Electors as well as Politicians. The founding members of the group are Dr Satbir Silas, Uttam Prakash, Sanjay Chadha, Ratan Lal,G Venkatesh Yogendra Jha, U G Sujatha. | ||
EFG was active during the 2008 assembly elections in [[Delhi]] and the [[2009 General Elections in India]]. It made two strategic interventions. The first was through its website where it disseminated information about candidates contesting elections. It opened a section called “EFG book of Commitment”, encouraging netizens to sign a commitment as a token self-promise to vote. | |||
The second intervention was through a “people to people contact” programme. Between March and May 2009, two campaigns namely “Respect Your Vote” and “Jog for Democracy” were organised. | The second intervention was through a “people to people contact” programme. Between March and May 2009, two campaigns namely “Respect Your Vote” and “Jog for Democracy” were organised. | ||
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“Jog For Democracy” was launched at the elite [[Lodhi Gardens]] in Delhi on April 11, 2009. At the event, EFG volunteers from different backgrounds such as students, professors, corporate professionals, new tax payers, senior citizens and young women participated in good numbers. Wearing EFG T-shirts displaying messages that good governance begins with casting of a vote, fellow joggers were requested to commit to vote through a formal signature.The signatures were taken on a board that read “Respect Your Vote and the votes would respect your Aspirations”. There after the programme moved from one local park to another in colonies of Delhi culminating into a candlelit march at Jantar Mantar <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8035154.stm</ref> a day before Delhi went to polls. | “Jog For Democracy” was launched at the elite [[Lodhi Gardens]] in Delhi on April 11, 2009. At the event, EFG volunteers from different backgrounds such as students, professors, corporate professionals, new tax payers, senior citizens and young women participated in good numbers. Wearing EFG T-shirts displaying messages that good governance begins with casting of a vote, fellow joggers were requested to commit to vote through a formal signature.The signatures were taken on a board that read “Respect Your Vote and the votes would respect your Aspirations”. There after the programme moved from one local park to another in colonies of Delhi culminating into a candlelit march at Jantar Mantar <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8035154.stm</ref> a day before Delhi went to polls. | ||
EFG has been demanding inclusion "Do you have a Voters id Card?" on appeal applications under RTI. The idea is to distribute voter registration forms to such applicants who say "NO", as these are enlightened citizens who should also lead governance reforms through exercising franchise.<ref>http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/recent/complimentsfromcitizens.pdf</ref> | |||
EFG has a facebook page : www.facebook.com/promise2vote | |||
==EFG in the Media== | ==EFG in the Media== | ||