We will write to EC seeking poll reforms: Hazare

Veteran anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare today said that he would write to the Election Commission seeking removal of poll symbols from ballot papers and EVMs as part an electoral reform.
Any democratic election should be on the candidate-basis and party symbol should be removed from ballot papers or EVMs (electronic voting machines), he said at a public meeting in Jain-Van here.
"We will write a letter on these issues to the Election Commission to make amendments and bring reforms in the present poll system", he said.
To make an overall change, the system needs to be changed not the power, he claimed.

It was a good indication in Bihar elections that contestants' picture and party affiliation was being printed on ballot papers or EVMs, he said.
On huge expenditure in electioneering in polls, Hazare said it was "responsible for changing black money in to white money" by spending unaccounted money by candidates of every political parties.

This "black to white" money system should also be contained at every level, he added.
People (voters) should avoid muddy political parties, and should prefer choosing candidates of clean image and political personality in elections.
Public is holding a key to make changes in democracy, hence he would launch the agitation by public support and go to villages to make public aware.

Hazare said, he had come to Sikar where from men force was representing in Army and on borders' security in maximum numbers.
His public awareness programme began right from here, he added.
"We will not sit quite until our aim of election reforms are not met by the Election Commission", he said.
On an anonymous threat letter to Hazare, the police said, it has not found any clue so far.
The veteran socialist leader, meanwhile left the city this evening.
Sikar City Circle Officer of Police B D Singh said yesterday Hazare's supporters got a letter from a biker giving life threat to the leader, but as of now despite searches in and around the city and the toll plazas, no one has been found in this connection.

However the security cover to Hazare was beefed up since yesterday, Singh said.
In the letter, Hazare was also dubbed as a "foreign agent", quoting the letter, he said.