Question

Here are some reports of malpractices in Indian elections. Identify what the problem in each case is. What should be done to correct the situation? 

(a) Following the announcement of elections the minister promised to provide financial aid to reopen the closed sugar mill. 

(b) Opposition parties alleged that their statements and campaign was not given the due attention in Doordarshan and All India Radio. 

(c) An inquiry by the Election Commission showed that electoral rolls of a state contain names of 20 lakh fake voters. 

(d) The hoodlums of a political party were moving with guns, physically preventing supporters of other political parties to meet the voters and attacking meetings of other parties.

Answer 1

(a) By doing so, the minister has erred on two counts. Firstly, he should not have made this promise when the announcement of elections has already been made. Secondly, by promising financial aid he is trying to bribe the voters by using financial tricks. He is trying to take advantage of his party being in power. This mill should not be opened and it should be left to the winning party to decide after the elections. 

(b) In order to remove this allegation of the opposition parties, the best solution is that Doordarshan and All India Radio must be made autonomous bodies so that government could not influence them in its favour. Equal time should be given to all parties and candidates to present their views in front of the voters

(c) The Election Commission has the power to remaking of the electoral rolls and to see that the names of 20 lakh fake voters are removed from the new electoral rolls. 

(d) The Election Commission has the power to check this malpractice of moving with guns, physically preventing supporters of other political parties to meet the voters and attacking meetings of other parties. It can withdraw the recognition of any party or disqualify such a candidate from contesting elections if its supporters are found to be moving with weapons.