09-13-2011, 09:40 PM
[size="3"][url="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Quality-control/articleshow/9959242.cms"]Quality control[/url] TOI Editorial -- 13/09/2011
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[size="3"]Recalling elected representatives for perceived non-performance in the middle of their terms can be arbitrary and problematic, as it would motivate losing candidates and parties to keep making trouble for winning ones and thereby hamper governance. But the proposal to grant the voter the right to reject all candidates on the ballot is an excellent one. At present, the electorate has no say over the choice of nominees for elections. The latter are foisted on the people by political parties, leaving voters with the depressing task of electing the least unsuitable candidate. In fact, this lack of suitable choice discourages voters from exercising their franchise.[/size]
[size="3"]While Section 49(O) of current election rules does provide for an option where a voter may not vote for any of the candidates, the measure has no significant impact on the ground. By instructing voters to register their names separately if they wish to exercise the no-vote option, the provision goes against the fundamental principle of a secret ballot. It would be prudent to suitably amend the election rules and have the no-vote option enshrined in the voting machines themselves. In order to make the measure meaningful, if the number of no-votes polled exceeds that of all other candidates, the particular constituency should be obliged to conduct a fresh round of elections with a new set of nominees.[/size]
[size="3"]In strengthening the no-vote option political parties will be forced to put up suitable candidates. If the measure is combined with the proposal to debar candidates charged with serious crimes - an amendment to the Representation of the People Act towards this end is currently under consideration - it would provide a powerful tool to check criminalisation of politics and serve as an antidote to institutional corruption. Such reforms would go a long way towards making the political system vibrant, efficient and more in tune with what the people of India want. They deserve as much importance as a strengthened Lokpal. [/size]
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Quote:Having captured the public mood against corruption and stirred up Parliament over the Lokpal issue, social activist Anna Hazare and his team have now set their sights on electoral reforms. Announced last Saturday, Anna's next campaign will focus on the right to recall elected representatives, the right to reject candidates contesting elections and demand MPs be subjected to annual performance audits. Election reforms with the aim of improving the quality of our legislators are long overdue. But here too an all-or-nothing attitude that typified the Jan Lokpal movement needs to be discouraged in favour of wider consultations with civil society.[/size]
[size="3"]Recalling elected representatives for perceived non-performance in the middle of their terms can be arbitrary and problematic, as it would motivate losing candidates and parties to keep making trouble for winning ones and thereby hamper governance. But the proposal to grant the voter the right to reject all candidates on the ballot is an excellent one. At present, the electorate has no say over the choice of nominees for elections. The latter are foisted on the people by political parties, leaving voters with the depressing task of electing the least unsuitable candidate. In fact, this lack of suitable choice discourages voters from exercising their franchise.[/size]
[size="3"]While Section 49(O) of current election rules does provide for an option where a voter may not vote for any of the candidates, the measure has no significant impact on the ground. By instructing voters to register their names separately if they wish to exercise the no-vote option, the provision goes against the fundamental principle of a secret ballot. It would be prudent to suitably amend the election rules and have the no-vote option enshrined in the voting machines themselves. In order to make the measure meaningful, if the number of no-votes polled exceeds that of all other candidates, the particular constituency should be obliged to conduct a fresh round of elections with a new set of nominees.[/size]
[size="3"]In strengthening the no-vote option political parties will be forced to put up suitable candidates. If the measure is combined with the proposal to debar candidates charged with serious crimes - an amendment to the Representation of the People Act towards this end is currently under consideration - it would provide a powerful tool to check criminalisation of politics and serve as an antidote to institutional corruption. Such reforms would go a long way towards making the political system vibrant, efficient and more in tune with what the people of India want. They deserve as much importance as a strengthened Lokpal. [/size]
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