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The officials of the Election Commission deserve appreciation for the peaceful conduct of the elections. But for a few unlucky ones like me and my family members, it was a painful and disheartening experience. When we went to cast our votes on May 13, it was found that our names were missing from the voters’ list even though we had voter I-cards with us. We have been residing in the same house for the last 50 years. Like us, there were hundreds of voters at various booths whose names were missing from the voters’ list. Being a senior citizen of this great democracy, I request the Election Commission to ensure that such irregularities and negligence should be rectified. Such mistakes should not be repeated in the future. DR SK AGGARWAL, Amritsar
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The Election Commission deserves praise for conducting free and fair elections in the country. It took instant decisions on poll violations and on complaints filed against public servants by some political parties. The strict compliance to norms avoided any untoward incident and ensured free and fair parliamentary elections. HARPREET
SANDHU, Ludhiana
Day of reckoning
In politics, (editorial, “Before and after — When wishes may not mean power”, May 12) nothing can be predicted, especially in contemporary times when politicians lack scruples. With many regional parties playing national politics, each party wants to have its say in the formation of the government at the Centre. In this confusion, no party is confident of getting the required number of seats. While a hung verdict is not ruled out, all are expectantly looking at May 16 when the results will be declared. Till then, hectic parleys between different parties will continue to take place. Even sworn enemies are keeping their doors open for their opponents. Still, the two national parties, i.e. the Congress and the BJP, may not get the magical number. Soon after May 16, horse-trading will become a favourite game of the politicians. In case of a hung Parliament, the two mainstream parties should come together and form the government. It may be a wise decision. We cannot afford another general election. R K Kapoor, Chandigarh.
II
As curtain has fallen over the last phase of polling. May 16 will be the day of reckoning for politicians. However, as poll predictions indicate, a hung Parliament seems to be in the offing. It is going to be a free-for-all and open horse-trading will rule the roost. Once more politicians of smaller groups will be for “sale”. One wonders if this is what democracy finally means. Moreover, people who “barter” themselves are not known to have any moral scruples. In this moral anarchy, Mammon will lead the way. Morality and statesmanship are words that carried a lot of meaning for politicians who made our history proud. Now politicians are driven by a single-minded devotion to power. DR J S ANAND, Bathinda
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Schools are places for learning
The middle “Schools for humiliation” (May 8) by Ravia Gupta was thought-provoking. Schools are regarded as temples of learning and the alma mater that ought to encourage the creativity of the child. But of late, schools have become places of minting money, repression and humiliation. All this is really deplorable. Under the garb of disciplining children, some schoolteachers cross limits of decency and civility and subject students to bizarre and barbaric punishments. The ruling that children should not be subjected to corporal punishment is flouted with impunity. Schools and teachers should know that discipline cannot be imposed from outside, through fear, coercion and third-degree humiliation. Death of some students, allegedly due to corporal punishment, is a matter of grave concern that must prick the conscience of educationists, government and society. After all, children are sent to schools to learn, not to get humiliated or killed. TARSEM S BUMRAH, Batala
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