A clarification

With reference to Homi Dalal’s letter "Code of conduct” (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, November 7, 2008) the election president Rustom Hormuzdiyar clarifies that he had presented five points to be followed at the elections. These, however, were observed more in the breach as one trustee reportedly believed Hormuzdiyar was exceeding his brief.

Guidelines on banners, canvassing at the election center, etc also reportedly were disregarded and stated not to be applicable to public trusts. Hormuzdi­yar’s points were:

The present board of trustees has precious little to do (in the holding of the election) except to carry on routine activities of the trust and provide finance for the infrastructure to be created for the efficient handling of the elections by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet administration headed by the chief executive officer. The trustees and administration will assist the president in discharge of duties entrusted to him.

Except for casual visit of brief duration, the trustees shall abstain from attending election venues on scheduled election days.

Those sitting trustees who are offering themselves as candidates for the scheduled elections in October 2008 will of course be able to attend the election sites but their minds need to be compartmentalized to ensure absolute non-interference in the management of the elections.

It is further insisted that sitting trustees, standing as candidates for the elections should not participate in any manner in the meetings of the trustees where and when matters concerning the elections are discussed, interacted and decided.

It is the bounden duty of the president to promote and maintain, both in letter as well as spirit, the sanctity of the election process from beginning to end. It is in light of this factual position in law that restraint… is contemplated.