NEED ELECTORAL REFORM IN INDIA

ELECTORAL REFORM

One of the best electoral reforms is proportionate representation and a national coalition which need to be experimented in India.  The advantage is that it keeps and regional balance. Large number of representative who used to sit idle in opposition benches even after winning large number of votes is a pity scene.  A one upmanship of some national parties and neglection of some states whichever party comes to power while sharing of power should put an end. Every state and region have a greater say in national politics and this will improve the centre-state relations. All political parties especially national political parties behave more responsibly and regional political parties have a greater say in national politics. This will definitely strengthen parliamentary democracy in India and such experiment can be done around the world.  A consensus can be created in all major decision. Like Rajya Sabha member and president, only two terms should be allowed to all politicians.  An age limit should be fixed. When bureaucrats and other officials retire at the age of 60, Indian politician’s career start after the age of 60. For politician also some retirement age should be fixed.  Other one is negative vote. This will discourage criminals and other corrupted elements occupying the highest position and the people earned with maximum positive vote should consider as a winner. Third and most important reform is right to recall their representative due to various reasons like non-performance, corruption, lack of development in their respective area, inaccessible to people and such other issues. This will increase their accountability, and start serving people much better than today. MP, MLA and Corporator fund should be scrapped and the same fund should be utilized according to the wishes of local people with proper social and local auditing system.  People with serious criminal charges should be banned.  Election should be immediately declared on the same day, instead of extending counting to another day.  Many people raise suspicion and logic of delaying the counting on the same day even after using Electronic voting machine. 

At present the electronic is not tamper proof consider the following:

Manipulation and tampering can be done if they get official support.  If the officials decide to give 1000 vote ‘X’ candidate’s favour by accepting money, they can execute it within 10 minutes.  At the same time, the number of turn out on actual polling should not be more than 10. There should be paper back up with punching timing with multiple back ups like live internet voting system and a paper back punches. All electoral revision and a coloured photograph (full size) colour should be made available in internet site for verification apart from Electoral card.  Missing name on electoral list can be avoided. 

Even in US election, such manipulation we witnessed. Hence such new approaches is necessary.

The time has come to make a major electoral reform in the country like India to strength the parliamentary democracy instead of the present ‘A’ team and ’B’ team play.  After 60 years of independence, the time has come for a paragidm shift in electoral arena.  The process should start now.