Once again India goes to polls. Topic of the day is the criminalisation of politics and urgent need to change the Representation of People’s Act and also Electoral reforms within the purview of Constitution of India. If need arises even Constitution need to be amended to suit the above requirement.
The whole idea of the above thinking is that India shall be ruled by persons of integrity, honesty and patriotism. No criminal shall find a place inside Parliament or Assembly. With above background the following reforms are suggested.
1. There shall not be pre-poll alliances. Every party should contest elections only individually.
Major Benefit: Opportunistic politics and corruption will be eradicated.
2. Rules on persons with criminal background and records shall be made strict in such a manner that none of the relatives as defined in Companies Act, 1956 are eligible to contest elections.
Major Benefit: Indirect entry of persons with criminal background is restricted.
3. Persons who, either himself or his relatives, are having any dues to the government, or having unpaid bank loans should be prohibited from contesting.
Public are electing their representatives to manage their vast country. Such person should not be from the family of a defaulter either to government or to a bank.
Major Benefit: We can have persons of financial discipline at the helm of affairs in the government.
4. When an MP or MLA resigns the seat, due to any reason, he shall not be eligible to contest in any election for the next 10 years from that dateand he shall not be allowed to canvass for any candidate for the next 10 years from that date.
Major Benefit: Opportunistic politics is curtailed to a certain extent.
5. When an MP or MLA switches his loyalty to other party in the normal course he loses his seat. But this is not enough. He shall be prohibited to contest any elections for the next 10 years.
Major Benefit: Unprincipled floor crossing is curtailed.
6. There must be compulsory attendance inside the house for a minimum number of days. Mere signing the attendance register kept outside the hall and leaving shall be stopped forthwith. Crores of money is being spent to conduct elections and for conducting Lok Sabha sessions and it is the duty of the elected members to carry out their duties by taking active part in the proceedings. It is unfortunate the practice of just signing and not attending has not been spoken about by anybody. Minimum number of ACTUAL attendance is absolutely essential for the success of democracy.
Major Benefit: When the members are inside, they will be forced to take part in debates and will have time to raise issues of public interest in the parliament or assembly
7. Now votes are not polled for an individual. They are polled only to the party. Under the circumstances when a sitting MP or MLA dies there shall not be By-election. Power shall be vested with the party to whom the MP or MLA belong to nominate a person from their party to become conferred MP or MLA.
Major Benefit: Conducting an election and its connected costs, problems etc are completely avoided.
The above suggestions may sound new. But taking into account the present political situation one should give a serious thought to the above areas and suggestion given. The effects of floor crossing, resignation, death and consequent problem of conducting fresh elections and election related cost and problems can be totally avoided if such amendments are brought in .
Hope this message reaches the persons at the helm of affairs. Jai Hind
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May 1, 2009 at 15:58:44
I agree with all the poin except the financial discipline. Rather being relative I accept it is close family member or dependents.