This has reference to your editorial “Cleaning up politics gets a boost” (Herald, December 23). The Election Commission of India (ECI) deserves appreciation and thanks for their order to de – criminalise politics. While on a visit to Goa to monitor poll preparedness in the coming State polls which will be held anytime before March 15 next year, Goa a small state with 40 seats in the Assembly has been chosen to usher into poll cleanliness, elections preceding have been marked by money power, castes and groups and other nonsensical activities resulting in not so clean candidates elected. If successful in their mission the order must be replicated to middle and bigger States. How dirty has become politics can be seen from the available statistics. Parliament has 43 per cent members with criminal antecedents and activities; Goa has 28 members with criminal involvement. All political parties in some way or other give tickets to such people because of the winnability factor. Hon’ble Supreme Court and ECI have time and again given judgements to make politics clean and fair, but all have fallen on deaf ears. On this occasion in Goa, ECI has gone further. All parties have to furnish and publicise the list of their candidates, mentioning those with criminal history and also have to explain reasons for choosing a candidate with dubious record. These may to an extent make polls and politics cleaner, complete eradication a mirage.
Powerful candidates employ every way in their arsenal be it money and muscle power, several freebies, drinks and drugs and what not. Such candidates provide enough and unaccounted money to their parties and thus the vicious games continue. Poor and good candidates are obviously at default. It is good news that all borders, coastlines and public places will be monitored by many government agencies to watch any undesirable activities of bribing people before polls. One hopes the State government acts firm on orders and advisories of the ECI without any exception. This time there are too many parties in the fray and all will be in the race to select ‘winnable ‘ candidates.
It needs no advice that all voters desire that their representatives be good and ethical, men and women of character, able to voice problems and grievances, no sensible person will opt for a bad candidate. Only opportunists and poorer people fall prey on the trap of bribes manifold. They must understand that bribery demeans the self-respect and dignity of the individual recipient. Only when all stakeholders understand the importance of integrity, fairness and opt for a cleaner politics then only Assemblies and Parliament will showcase the good and the best. Goa is cultured and civilised; everybody can and must vote for good, sincere and able candidates. ECI’s appeal and orders timely, not to mention a stable government alone can deliver goods and services.
