How India can survive its politicians
{Originally posted on 8 Dec 2008}
In the last 61 years, our political class has been the most mediocre and has let us down. We have seen the quality of our Political Leadership deteriorating and we have reached the limit. Now is the time to change the way we elect our representatives. Here is my suggestion on how we can change our system.
1. Improve the quality of our Political Leadership.
Here’s how we can do it:
A.
The quality of politicians will improve if there is change in the leadership within the political parties.
The quality of politicians will improve if there is change in the leadership within the political parties.
We, as members of political parties, should insist and ensure that there is complete democracy and transparency in our political party.
Bringing about In-Party Democracy is the first and foremost way to transform India and bring about a quality leadership from within the existing party ranks.
All candidates to regional, state and national elections should be chosen by election from within party ranks. This election should be monitored and verified by the Election Commission.
B.
Age Factor: We should request our political party that – no candidate (for whichever election) should be above the age of 50. Old foggies should be given advisory jobs within the party.
Age Factor: We should request our political party that – no candidate (for whichever election) should be above the age of 50. Old foggies should be given advisory jobs within the party.
C.
Education: We should insist that every candidate presented by our political party should be educated to the level of minimum Post Graduation. Their qualifications should be checked to ensure that they are real.
Education: We should insist that every candidate presented by our political party should be educated to the level of minimum Post Graduation. Their qualifications should be checked to ensure that they are real.
2. Electoral Reforms.
A.
A Political Party should be a serious, dedicated entity, not a family business.
Any political party will be considered a political party only if it has the required number of ‘registered party members’.
A Political Party should be a serious, dedicated entity, not a family business.
Any political party will be considered a political party only if it has the required number of ‘registered party members’.
For State Elections:
A Political Party should be allowed to contest in state elections only if it has a minimum of 50,000 ‘registered party members’ from within the state in which it contests. It is advantageous for the party to have more members for two reasons – 1) loyalty of the member is ensured 2) it gives the party more fund (money).
A Political Party should be allowed to contest in state elections only if it has a minimum of 50,000 ‘registered party members’ from within the state in which it contests. It is advantageous for the party to have more members for two reasons – 1) loyalty of the member is ensured 2) it gives the party more fund (money).
The election commission should fix the ‘membership fee’ for a person to be a ‘registered party member’ to be Rs.100.
For each state that a political party contests, it should have a minimum 50,000 ‘registered party members’ each.
B.
Criteria for being a National Party
A party can be considered a National Party only if it has the required memberships and presence in at least 5 states of India. Only those Political Parties that fulfill this criteria can contest for Parliament Elections.
Criteria for being a National Party
A party can be considered a National Party only if it has the required memberships and presence in at least 5 states of India. Only those Political Parties that fulfill this criteria can contest for Parliament Elections.
Note: ‘Registered Party Members’ should be bona fide. The membership form should have name, address and photo of the member.
The Election Commission should check about 10 numbers of memberships from each party, selected in random and verified by the Election Commission. Even if one member from within this is found to be false, the party should be disqualified.
Independent Contestants
Independent Contestants (those having no affiliation to any political party / ideology) can contest only in Panchayat, Municipal and other minor elections. However, if an individual can muster 50,000 supporters willing to pay Rs.100 each as membership fee, he can contest for state election. If as an individual, he can muster support of 50,000 people each in 5 states, he can stand for Parliament Elections.
Independent Contestants (those having no affiliation to any political party / ideology) can contest only in Panchayat, Municipal and other minor elections. However, if an individual can muster 50,000 supporters willing to pay Rs.100 each as membership fee, he can contest for state election. If as an individual, he can muster support of 50,000 people each in 5 states, he can stand for Parliament Elections.
3. Electoral Education.
The Election Commission should run a national campaign on the lines of “India Shining” Advertisement Campaign / on the lines of the Mera Bharat Mahan series of Advertisements by Balabhadra Productions.
The voters should be “Educated” on what sort of candidate they should choose and why such a person is ideal to represent them.
The campaign could possibly say –
• Vote for candidates who are below the age of 50
• Vote for candidates who have already proven their mettle in any professional field / administration or other walk of life.
• Absolutely not to vote for candidates who ask votes on the basis of religion, caste or regionalism.
• Vote for candidates who are NOT CORRUPT, WHO DON’T HAVE POLICE CASES REGISTERED AGAINST THEM and WHO HAVE ACCEPTABLE TRADITIONAL INDIAN FAMILY VALUES (meaning – he should not have more than one wife, and not more than two children).
• Vote for candidates who have already proven their mettle in any professional field / administration or other walk of life.
• Absolutely not to vote for candidates who ask votes on the basis of religion, caste or regionalism.
• Vote for candidates who are NOT CORRUPT, WHO DON’T HAVE POLICE CASES REGISTERED AGAINST THEM and WHO HAVE ACCEPTABLE TRADITIONAL INDIAN FAMILY VALUES (meaning – he should not have more than one wife, and not more than two children).
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