Madurai, April 26: Chief Election Commissioner Navin B Chawla today said a “climate” opposed to criminalisation of politics has been created now with almost all political leaders and media speaking against the menace.
Talking to media here, he said during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Election Commission in January, “everybody said they are against criminalisation of politics. Not only the EC is opposed to criminalisation of politics, even media and political leaders oppose it,” he said.
A survey conducted by some NGOs revealed that there was a declining trend in criminals winning elections, he said.
“When leaders speak clearly against criminalisation of politics, it is a heartening signal. All right-minded political parties are going in the right direction,” he said.
The EC has also made things difficult for criminals in the election process, Chawla said.
–Agencies