ELECTORAL REFORM INDIAELECTORAL REFORM INDIAELECTORAL REFORM INDIAPRESENTED BY-DR. ARVIND VERMADR. ARVIND VERMAASSISTAN PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCEDEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCER K COLLEGE MADHUBANI

Every Citizen of India wants it to be Free from Every Citizen of India wants it to be Free from “3C’s”-“3C’s”-C for Communalism, C for Casteism and C for Corruption. Most of the People who represent us Corruption. Most of the People who represent us follow either of these 3C’s, So we need to get rid follow either of these 3C’s, So we need to get rid of them and elect better people. of them and elect better people.

Electoral Reforms is the answer to the problem.Electoral Reforms is the answer to the problem.

You Pick up candidate of any party, Candidates are selected on the basis of their Religion ,Caste, You Pick up candidate of any party, Candidates are selected on the basis of their Religion ,Caste, Money and Muscle Power, instead of qualities Money and Muscle Power, instead of qualities like Education, administrative skills etc. like Education, administrative skills etc.

The Electoral Process which helps in running the The Electoral Process which helps in running the whole country is full of loopholes and need radical reforms. This also results in massive radical reforms. This also results in massive corruption.corruption.

Every Political Party should select their Every Political Party should select their candidates not on the basis of Religion or candidates not on the basis of Religion or Caste, But on the basis of his/her qualities Caste, But on the basis of his/her qualities and work.and work.If a political party uses ‘Religion or Caste’ If a political party uses ‘Religion or Caste’ during Election Campaign and selects during Election Campaign and selects candidates on that basis, then a strong law candidates on that basis, then a strong law must be in place against such parties, In fact must be in place against such parties, In fact they should be derecognized. they should be derecognized.

Criminalisation of PoliticsCriminalisation of Politics

This is one of the most important reasons for the falling standards of our polity. To prevent muscle This is one of the most important reasons for the falling standards of our polity. To prevent muscle power in politics, a strong law should be in place power in politics, a strong law should be in place and every political party should have the moral and every political party should have the moral responsibility to stop such elements from entering responsibility to stop such elements from entering into their organisation. into their organisation.

Constitution is Supreme.Constitution is Supreme.

The Election Commission of India has time and The Election Commission of India has time and again proposed Electoral Reforms, But the again proposed Electoral Reforms, But the Political System has not implemented these Political System has not implemented these reforms.reforms.

This Campaign urges the Government to This Campaign urges the Government to implement those reforms as soon as possible.implement those reforms as soon as possible.

‘Poll Reforms India’ would Create Better Governance and would immensely benefit the Governance and would immensely benefit the image of Indian Politiciansimage of Indian Politicians

POLL REFORM INDIAPOLL REFORM INDIAPOLL REFORM INDIA

MAJOR PROPOSALSMAJOR PROPOSALSMAJOR PROPOSALS

‘None of the Above’ ‘None of the Above’ Option on Ballot PaperOption on Ballot Paper

State Funding of State Funding of ElectionsElectionsElections

The Campaign Material must be The Campaign Material must be allotted by Election Commission , allotted by Election Commission , according to a fixed quota.according to a fixed quota.

The Election Commission should The Election Commission should bring a provision which makes it bring a provision which makes it mandatory for candidates to mandatory for candidates to declare atleast 3 tasks for ‘Social declare atleast 3 tasks for ‘Social Service’ which they have Service’ which they have Service’ which they have undertaken and have benefited undertaken and have benefited the society by that. the society by that.

Candidates with Criminal Charges Candidates with Criminal Charges which has a punishment upto 5 years which has a punishment upto 5 years must be disqualified to fight an must be disqualified to fight an Election.Election.

Politically motivated cases must be Politically motivated cases must be checked by courtschecked by courtschecked by courts

TMC AIADMK JD (U)INC

Political Parties be legally required to Political Parties be legally required to get their accounts audited annually.get their accounts audited annually.

Misuse of religion/caste by Misuse of religion/caste by political parties can bepolitical parties can bequestioned in High Courtsquestioned in High Courtsduring electionsduring elections

More stringent punishments for More stringent punishments for Electoral Offences such as Bribing Electoral Offences such as Bribing Voters.Voters.

Right Now Fine is Rs 500 (1920 Act)Right Now Fine is Rs 500 (1920 Act)

Candidate should be barred to Candidate should be barred to contest if he/she fails to lodge contest if he/she fails to lodge electoral expenseselectoral expenses

Legal action in a court of law be Legal action in a court of law be taken if a candidate shows a false taken if a candidate shows a false affidavitaffidavit

Only a candidate who is a Only a candidate who is a member of a political party for at member of a political party for at least 3 years must be given an least 3 years must be given an election ticket.election ticket.

In the context of Right to Education,In the context of Right to Education,

The Election Commission should make a The Election Commission should make a mandatory educational qualification, mandatory educational qualification, minimum upto class 12 for candidates minimum upto class 12 for candidates standing in elections.

Every Seat should be declared a Every Seat should be declared a “Women Seat After 2 Elections. “Women Seat After 2 Elections.

There should be minimum 33% There should be minimum 33% Women ReservationWomen ReservationWomen Reservation

These are some basic Electoral These are some basic Electoral Reforms which “Poll Reform India” is Reforms which “Poll Reform India” is proposing. To Join the Campaign-proposing. To Join the Campaign-

Visit: www.pollreformindia.comVisit: www.pollreformindia.comVisit: www.pollreformindia.com

Our Aim: If we want to dream of a Our Aim: If we want to dream of a society, free of 3c’s (Communalism, society, free of 3c’s (Communalism, Casteism and Corruption) then we Casteism and Corruption) then we Casteism and Corruption) then we would like to see these provisions would like to see these provisions implemented in letter and in spirit , implemented in letter and in spirit , so that we can create Mahatma’s so that we can create Mahatma’s India.India.