The mess Indian Politics and Electoral system is in.

 

Politics play an important role in the day-to-day lives of the citizens of any country, and India is no different. Politics can either break or make a country. Some countries fare pretty well in a Sovereignty  or dictatorship, some do well in communistic or democratic systems. But which system suits a country can't be conclusively be derived.

 

India being a diverse country makes it all the more difficult to arrive on a common ideologue. However as practiced today and as known, India is a democratic country. A democracy is where the Republic's Government is chosen by the people, for the people of the people. At least theoretically the power to govern is with the people. More often than not, people still struggle in these systems.

 

How competent is our electoral systems? 

 

Though there cannot be a flawless electoral system any where in the world; ours is plagued with serious issues. This has been exploited by each and every political party that Independent India has seen.

1. The NOTA option has no actual voting effect at all.
2.  A candidate with even 10% votes can win the elections if his opponents have secured less votes than him. It doesn't matter if the majority of the electorate hasn't voted for him. More often, the lesser evil of the lot manages to win the elections.
3. The concept of alliances is misused by most regional parties to hold the government to ransom.
4. The electorate has almost no role in deciding the formation of the government. The elected representatives have the power to decide the leadership [thereby Indirect participation of the electorate].  
5. No standard processes to evaluate and decide upon the eligibility of the candidature of person.
6. Educational and the understanding level of the electorate. Can easily be swayed by the promise of goodies? Inefficient control systems in place at present.
7. Some promises are so wild that have no economic viability or would not add any value to the economy.

How can this be corrected?

 

Now this is far-fetched thought. Firstly, the lawmakers wouldn't mend the current system that is actually proving to their benefit and which they can exploit at their whims and fancies. But yes we can change the system if there is a political will.

 

• NOTA be given the status of the candidate. If NOTA wins let there be a re-election and the contested candidates in the first election can't contest in the re-election. [countering point 1]
• A two-stage elections can be thought of. Let there be preliminaries be conducted to eliminate the non-popular candidates. Only those candidates with 33% more could contest the final elections. The candidate has to have 51% of the total votes polled to be declared a winner. [countering point 2]
• The candidate or the party has to pledge their support before the elections to a particular leader or alliance. If the support is to be withdrawn, then re-election should be held. [countering point 3 ]
• Votes can now be cumulatively be counted to choose the leadership. It will given to understand by the previous points that the leader will now enjoy the absolute majority from the wide electorate. [countering point 4 ]
• If a person wants to contest any elections, then he has to appear for test [overseen by the Judiciary or the Election Commission]  to evaluate his understanding of the duties required of him as a elected representative and of the current health of the economy in their area and the country. The result of which should be made available to the public. Irrespective of the outcome of the test the candidates may be allowed to contest the election.[At least the public will be aware of his competency] Assuming the current process of asset and criminal records declaration is continued and improved. [countering point 5]
• The awareness among the electorate can be brought only through education/literacy. Economics should be thought in middle school along with Civics. It is very much important  that when the 18 year old who goes to vote for the first time makes an informed and educated decision.  The same applies to other voters. We shall dwell on this further ahead. [countering point 6]
• The candidate or the political party should produce a proposed budget along with their manifesto as to how they are going to provide for the goodies they promise in their manifesto. Also explain how the economy is going to benefit by it. [countering point 7]

 Now this will require a complete overhaul of the system, and a lot of resources and energy will be required to design a system like this. Though difficult this is very much feasible. Many will surely have doubts about it.

Awareness among the electorate is very much important. At present the electorate votes on impulse or the emotion. A lot of black money is distributed illegally  during the election season in India. Doling out Free meals, alcohol, household items, clothing, etc is a common scene. We can't deny this fact in any way. So there is a temporary feel good feeling created and the voter votes in favour of their benefactor, least realizing that they will be forgotten till the next election.

Some politicians use issues that are very emotional to the voters. Like religion, caste, citizenship (in Goa), etc. The emotionally charged voter can make a wrong decision when he casts his vote. Some politicians will promise more than what they can deliver, there by creating an illusion of receiving goodies in future. In what we may call greed, the voter makes a mistake that he can't correct till next election.

And this phenomenon is being continued in every election that Independent India has seen.  It is very important that the electorate understands the various economic parameters that play a vital role in their life. If this is achieved, the likes of bhakths, chamchas, and whatever tards will eventually be shown their rightful place. I strongly advocate that the middle-school curriculum should include at least elementary Economic lessons.