As February 14 approaches and political parties make solemn promises of eradicating corruption if they come to power, what emerges from the statements is that the parties are well aware that corruption exists. It of course gets spoken of all through the year by the people, and once in five years, in the run-up to the polls takes centre stage. It has occurred in the past, and will continue to do so, for though there are promises of doing away with graft, few governments really do bother about it once in power.
Edgar D’Souza from Porvorim believes that corruption has been an issue in every election. He, however, has an interesting take when he says that elections act as a disruptive force, changing some of the players in the game and potentially leading to the formation of new networks of corruption. Clearly, according to him, there is the possibility that corruption cannot be ended by voting out a party and replacing it with another.
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“Defections by MLAs is an issue that haunts the political system in Goa. Rather than constituency specific issues we see the campaign styles leaning towards promising freebies and jobs if elected. And if elected there is every probability that the poor and middle class become poorer while the wealth of the elected representatives leaps up. As a result over the years Goans have come to trust our political leaders lesser,” Edgar D’Souza said.
The correlation between getting elected and increase in wealth has been seen often enough and there are affidavits of candidates filed at the time of nomination that do show an increased amount of wealth in a period of five years.
Corruption, therefore, is an issue that haunts the political system and erupts at election time. Nazima Shaikh from Panjim said, “I personally feel corruption can be an issue when it comes to choosing the candidate. With the growth of digital and traditional media, all citizens are well aware and updated about the politicians’ background and history. But this also depends on how politicians represent the ‘issue’ in their campaigns and the influence they have on the voters.”
But do Goans vote to end corruption? Honorato Velho of Benaulim, who closely followed the education sector for several decades, believes that the issue of corruption is most important. “Today about 70 per cent of the candidates do not fit into the category of the ‘good candidate’. Many of them are not even educated. In fact, corruption started on Day 1 when Goans were told they have been liberated. It is a part of the system. Yes, corruption is most important issue and people keep that in mind before voting,” Velho told Herald.
What Velho says finds an echo in Kishore Shah from Taleigao, who is of the opinion that corruption has and will always be an issue in elections, not only in Goa but across the world. “It’s an inherent side of human psyche, however, is based on gossip, water cooler throat clearing discussions, media news which gets activated during election season. The trend or rumour is that corruption this time has several shades. There is corruption in terms of money, organised extortions for jobs, party tickets, projects, values, beliefs, assurances, election manifesto, party loyalty etc so may be each strata of society may have experienced pain point of a certain shade of corruption, which will differ from one constituency to another,” Shah said.
He added that the perception of corruption differs, depending on the socio-economic cultural scenario of that place and restraining force due to corruption and its impact on the majority of stakeholders may be decider while voting.
So, is corruption as an issue in an election campaign inevitable? Advocate Antonio Lobo, who has been practising law for last 41 years in Mapusa, believes so. “The way the present dispensation of politicians operates, they actually see themselves the only way to winning an election. However, a majority of them are not corrupt but substantial amounts of them use the means of corrupt practices. Unfortunately, that is the reality,” Lobo said.
But is corruption restricted to post the polls? Sharlaine Menezes who votes in Margao feels differently. “As much as I hope corruption should not be the basis of this year’s Assembly elections, I also doubt it can happen. It would be a shame if it happened, whether in the open or on the quiet. Voting in a democracy has become common man’s last resort to having a stand and voicing out what they need for the country, and it would be sad to see that be taken away from us, if there is foul play,” Menezes said.
What can be done to end corruption? Should the voters depend entirely on the politicians who are elected to stop corrupt practices? And when politicians switch sides just before elections, can they be trusted?
Rachana Nabar Deshpande from Aquem also believes that the electoral system in India is laced with corrupt practices and Goa is no exception. “We have seen an unusually high number of candidates switching parties just prior to elections with an expectation of getting tickets. Some others are making unrealistic promises to the public in return for a vote. Thus pledging off the tax payers hard earned money for vote-bank politics. But the main reason for this corruption is the unwillingness of the electorate in holding the candidates accountable. I feel as a way forward, we ought to reform our electoral system on one hand but encourage the citizens to be more informed voters as well,” Deshpande said.
The election process may end with the counting, but citizens have a role to play later too. Ninad Wadekar from Caranzalem who votes in Taleigao constituency believes that corruption is part of our ecosystem. “It begins with election and runs across government Institutions and departments. The Big “C of corruption” is touching all citizen centric activities and is well accepted norm in government sector. Citizens have also adjusted to it. So accept the Big “C” and keep walking,” said Ninad Wadekar.
Corruption or not, people are also looking at other issues as they go deeper into the election. Agnelo D’Souza who is from Camurlim and votes in Thivim constituency said, “Corruption has always been an issue but more than corruption, these elections are going to be about us, the voters. It will be about finding leaders who will represent our voices. Leaders who will work for the people and not for hate, money and greed. I feel this election will be a deciding one for the future of Goa. You could say that it is a make or break for Goa.”
Yet, development also plays a role in being a decider. Arman Bankley from Curtorim constituency in Goa said, “The major factor this assembly elections I would personally like to weigh upon is the overall development of Goa, the infrastructure has seen a marked positive change. Overall growth and development of the State plays a vital role this election as against any other factor like corruption, freebies.”
But, as Stanley Fernandes form Nerul who votes in Saligao constituency said, “Possible that corruption may be an issue. However, if the concerned authorities do their duties right and correctly, it can take a different course.”
If the authorities are allowed to follow the rules, then of course corruption will decrease. The question remains as to whether the authorities will be given a free hand to deal with corruption.
