The State Election Commission is saddled with the responsibility of conduct of local bodies elections in free and fair manner. Constitution of India provides reservation to the extent of one third seats for women. It is observed that many a times the women candidates don’t come forward freely of their own in these elections and many a times due to socio-political constraints and reasons there is back seat driving during the elections by some persons which not only vitiates the election processes but also defeats the constitutional mandate regarding free and fair conduct of elections.
To address this undesirable situation and to take corrective actions for ensuring the fulfillment of the constitutional provisions not only letter but in spirit, our commission has decided to embark upon an innovative project for socio-political empowerment of women Councilors of local self bodies for effective decision making and governance. It is expected that these empowered women councilors would become role models and in turn instill confidence in aspiring women candidates in the ensuing elections. This would ensure the fulfillment of the constitutional mandate of free and fair conduct of election and would also go a long way in addressing not only social problems (such as female infanticide, illiteracy, gender discrimination, domestic violence, alcoholism, superstition, violence against women, environmental issues, social evils etc) in the rural areas but also strengthening the functioning of local bodies by effective and participative involvement of women councilors in decision making process.
Considering pioneer work and great contribution made by famous social reformer of Maharashtra, Smt. Savitribai Phule, we have taken a decision to name this revolutionary project as Krantijyoti in tribute to her exemplary work in the field of women education and empowerment.
