MONDAY, MAY 06, 2024
Hestor DeSouza
It is no doubt a mammoth task for the Election Commission of India to hold elections in the country periodically. In view of the ensuing Assembly elections in some States including Goa in the next few weeks, I take the liberty in offering my following suggestions for tightening the rules of conducting the elections, and also ensuring a fair playing field:
(1) Some years back, ECI had decided to prohibit political parties from using icons of animals as election symbols. Many political parties and the civil society in general supported this decision. However, I have observed that the ECI has not implemented its ruling in the subsequent elections. I feel that, with the proliferation of political parties (national and State) and independent candidates contesting the elections, there could be a rising demand for animal icons as election symbols. Furthermore, even if the ECI does not allot contestants animal icons as election symbols, it will be unfair to continue permitting some parties to use animal icons as their symbols.
(2) Once Independent MLAs/MPs are elected, they should not be allowed to resign (before their term expires) to join any political party and contest on party symbol. In case they resign for political expediency, they should be barred from contesting in the by-poll to be held but only after the term of House/Parliament expires. These restrictions will prevent colossal waste of tax payers' money, as well as rid the malaise of horse-trading and corruption (money power) in case of a hung House.
(3) The Parliament and the State Assemblies should not be allowed to be dissolved prior to the expiry of their respective terms. This will avoid wasteful expenditure, as well as throwing the administration out of gear due to the election code. Furthermore elections should not be held in those months when the weather hinders voter turnout.
(4) Lastly, I have another suggestion which is fair, simple and cost-effective electoral reform instead of the present first-past-the-post system.
Scenario 1: If a candidate gets 50% +1 vote of the total votes cast, then he/she should be declared an outright winner.
Scenario 2: If a candidate does not get 50% + 1 vote of the total votes cast, then both the 1st and 2nd place candidates should be declared duly elected, but with a caveat. The first-place candidate will serve for the 1st half term, and the “runner-up” will serve for the remainder of the term. The runner-up will be entitled to his/her salary/perquisites when he/she takes office only. So also, the retirement benefits of both will be half their entitlements. This will not put a burden on the taxpayers. In the event of any one such MLAs/ MPs winning out-rightly (50% + 1 vote) in the subsequent general elections, then they should get their full emoluments at that time.
The above suggestion will make the elections more competitive because the candidates will strive hard to reach out to all the constituents, in order to cross the 50% threshold. I understand that my proposed system may result in change in the composition of the House/Parliament, so be it! We all know that in most of the sports/games, the ‘runner-up’ too is rewarded.
