Here’s another way to dump them
The Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi’s remarks that the time had come to consider the Right to Reject as an integral alternative within the ballot paper – a proposal which was first mooted by anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has triggered a debate. The idea nonetheless is a whiff of refreshing air in this maze of political hopelessness the voters are subjected to. What Quraishi was speaking about was negative or neutral voting.
The demand that voters should have the right to reject all the candidates in the election fray, in a constituency, is now picking up momentum, with many non-government organizations and even the Election Commission supporting the idea. This is a far cry from the debate of right to recall, which apparently was much more complex and unsuitable to the Indian system of governance.
Traditionally, the ballot paper had various options and the voter had to necessarily vote any one of them, though it must be admitted that dissatisfaction of the voters to the list of candidates, has been in existence virtually after the first general elections in the state. There have been instances when the disillusioned voters often left caustic remarks on ballot papers, and thereby were unmindful of nullifying their vote — by scribbling out their frustrations.
With the electronic voting machines, even that opportunity to give vent to the pent up emotions is further suppressed, frustrating the voters further. This, because, the machine gives no chance to cast a negative vote.
With the CEC now talking about the negative vote, it will hopefully give a choice to the voters — a choice to press a button, which would indicate rejection of all the candidates in the fray.
The Election Commission first made this proposal in 2001. It also figured in the proposals made by the Commission in regard to electoral reform in the year 2004 when T.S.Krishnamurthy was the CEC. In those proposals the Commission suggested several measures to check criminalization of politics and to improve transparency in regard to the antecedents of candidates via affidavits filed by them while filing nominations.
Needless to say, this novel thinking will garner enthusiasthic response in the democratic exercise and Goans will predictably see a way out of the rotten system, where corrupt politicians have entrenched themselves and ensured their re-elections.
Reportedly the Election Commission received proposals from a large number of individuals and organizations that voters must have the provision to reject all the candidates in a constituency.
The Commission has admitted that it is unable to control money power. This is evident by the largest ever alcohol seizure witnessed in the state weeks before the polls. Already, there are reports of huge offers made to candidates to withdraw from the fray, and to voters to vote favorably. The sums range from an individual’s monthly salary, to the total income earned by a generation to withdraw from the fray. Never mind the source at this juncture, but the quantum of money changing hands is indeed mind-boggling.
In such a situation, if people start rejecting such corrupt and criminal politicians vying for a seat in a constituency, not only will they lose the elections, but stand disqualified. That indeed will be the only deterrence.
Will the right to reject proposal find favor with the political class, which ultimately has to make the law?
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people’s edit
Issues before the electorate
Visitação B Monteiro
Goa’s electorate will go to polls on March 3, 2012 to choose 40 representatives to the State Assembly. Elections once declared, people go to vote, sometimes almost fatalistically without considering the real issues. The main issues that Goans need to focus on during this election and maybe even get written assurances from the candidates are:
Candidates: We are electing somebody to represent us in the State Legislative Assembly. They need to understand what it means to legislate and make laws, concerning good governance of the State. As voters, we blindly vote anybody, even uneducated candidates who do not understand the essence of law. Participatory democracy demands that the elected representatives interact with voters regarding upcoming bills.
The Land: gives people their identity. The Asian sub-continent, has Hindustan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, etc. ‘Stan’ denotes the land with its people. In Goa, we are Goans. This is our identity. Presently, we live like aliens in our own land. If Goans wants to buy a piece of land, they cannot get it, as most of the land is bought by outsiders. When the land goes out of your hand, you become a slave. We are not even aware of this loss of our identity. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had promised to keep the Goan identity intact. The centre has not honoured this promise. Goans must be given an assurance by their candidates that they will work to give ‘Special Status’ to Goa. The Regional Plan 2021 is an open grave for the burial of Goan identity, by giving free license to builders to concretize our paddy fields, hills, slopes etc., and sing a ‘Requiem to Goa’. The imperative need of the hour is to fight for our survival, and this election is the last chance to salvage our lost identity.
Development: has various meanings. MLA’s speak about development of Goa and are fooling the people. We must ask our politicians about what it means to them. Most of the ‘development’ is not in the interest of Goa. We need a balanced development of agriculture as well as industry. Our Goan economy was once a flourishing agrarian economy, but today we are left with barren paddy fields, thanks to our Agricultural Tenancy Act which sounded the death knell of our centuries old system of agriculture wisely devised by our Comunidades. Goan agriculturists once known for their skills in the sector were invited by the Maharajas of southern states to develop their agriculture. Despite, this rich agricultural tradition, the government has not bothered to establish an agriculture college in Goa, and students have to go outside to acquire a degree in agriculture. Balancing agriculture with industry, there is a large scope for the pharmaceutical industry in Goa, which could be further explored, and thus benefit the locals.
