Hyderabad is going to polls today, not to elect a government official, but to voice their views on the selection process of RTI commissioners.

The polling is being conducted by the United Forum of RTI Campaign after it found fault with the procedure followed for the selection of eight information commissioners that took place on January 31. They claim people of the State are concerned about the issue — some even disillusioned.

“We have been raising our voice over the issue for the last ten days,” said B Ramakrishna Raju, convener, United Forum for RTI Campaign. “We also met Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, but he was very adamant and flatly refused to change the commissioners. The selection procedure does not follow the rules, and we feel let down.”

The committee has organised 10 polling centres in different parts of the city. The polling starts at 10 am and ends at 5 pm. In all the other district headquarters polling will be held on February 21. The results will be announced on February 22.

Sashank Rajwadi, RTI Activist and Associated with National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), said that people are not happy with the selection process and credentials of the candidates. “We have met the CM and Governor and have apprised them of the lapses, purposely made. We want to spread awareness and inform citizens about the lapses and get their voices heard.”

http://postnoon.com/2012/02/15/polls-to-choose-rti-commissioner/29104