Nandini Voice for the Deprived, a Chennai based not for profit organization , sought the views of the cross section of people about the lessons from Erode by election.
The contacted persons included retired government officials, representatives of NGOs, educationists and senior citizens.
Highlights of the study is given below
Tamil Nadu’s dubious distinction
Certainly , it does not enhance the reputation of Tamil Nadu when one has to admit the fact that Tamil Nadu has become notorious for malpractices in the by elections .
In the past, Tamil Nadu had the dubious distinction of evolving malpractice models , which are now widely known as “Thirumangalam formula” , “Aravakurichi formula” and so many others . Now, it appears that Tamil Nadu has evolved one more malpractice formula , which may be known as the “East Erode formula” in the coming days.
The East Erode by election in Tamil Nadu on 27th February was reported to have witnessed several malpractices.
The media has reported that In the earlier malpractices in by elections in Tamil Nadu , it used to be bribing the voters with cash, gift and tokens to be exchanged for any article in the particular retail shop later. Further, distribution of cash used to be largely done in the night time.
Now, in addition to the above strategies, what is reported in the media in the case of “East Erode formula” is that political parties are no longer extending the cash and other freebies in secrecy but in open . As reported in the media, one more strategy in the present East Erode malpractice is to confine a large number of voters in many closed areas for a day , so that they would not attend the public meetings addressed by the leaders of other political parties.
Further , in the days preceding the East Erode by election on 27th February, it was reported in the media that a number of voters , particularly in the lower income group, have been given cash and gifts, not once but several times.
In number of media reports, it was estimated that the total amount spent in East Erode constituency , consisting of around 2..1 lakh voters, by principal political parties contesting the election , could have exceeded several crore of rupees and this could be the costliest by election for political parties in India ever since independence.
Craze for freebies :
While any responsible citizen would inevitably feel sad about the conduct of the political parties contesting the election , it appears that in Tamil Nadu, the craze for receiving free gifts and cash during the elections , particularly amongst those in the lower and lower middle income group , seem to have reached very high pitch.
Neither the political parties distributing gifts and cash to the people nor the people receiving it seem to feel anything bad about this. This is a very disturbing trend , as it now appears that gifts and cash during elections in Tamil Nadu may become a permanent feature in the coming years.
While the freebie culture appears to become a permanent feature in Tamil Nadu , this culture particularly seems to play a huge role during the elections in the state.
It is a million dollar question as to who is responsible for this sordid situation, whether the political parties in Tamil Nadu or the people receiving the cash and the gift.
Public perception :
Widespread public perception is that the election commission of India which is expected to ensure free and fair election , has not discharged it’s responsibilities adequately during the East Erode by election , as per the expectations of the citizens.
Cases were filed in the court by individuals and groups about the malpractices in the East Erode by election and appealing for the cancellation of the poll. However, the election commission assured the court that it would ensure fair election and the court accepted the statement of the election commission and rejected the petition asking for cancellation of the poll.
While several reports have appeared in print, visual and social media with photographs and case studies about the malpractices, the election commissioner has simply said that it cannot consider the reports in the media for taking any action.
Election commission has said that around 500 complaints have been received.
What is surprising is that the election commission appears to think that somebody should make a complaint about malpractice to enable it to take action. The election commission has a flying squad to catch violators for whatever it is worth.
Election commission is supposed to be a watchdog and people wonder as to whether the watching is being done adequately.
Powers of election commission :
A careful look at the provision of the constitution would make it clear that the election commission is a constitutional body and it has the power and authority to take strong decisions to ensure fair elections.
When the election commission does not lack power and authority, then why is it not acting to fulfill its responsibility adequately well to ensure free and fair election ?
To find an answer to this vexed question, the common man’s attention inevitably turns to the individual persons who are appointed as election commissioners who have the responsibility and authority to ensure free and fair elections.
Functioning style
The fact is that the government appoints the retired IAS officers and election commissioners , who have served several years as administrators , taking orders from the politicians in power. For the bureaucrats , it appears that the letter of law and not the spirit of law is the guideline.
It is likely that when the bureaucrats are appointed as election commissioners, they may limit their functions as per the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law.. Here comes the problem. The end result is , it becomes a case of “operation success and patient died”.
What guidelines for the future ?
To avoid such malpractices which preceded East Erode by election , to ensure free and fair election in future , the election commissioners should focus on the spirit of law and not merely the letter of law.
It may be that the retired judges due to their background are more likely to function as election commissioners with courage of conviction and with understanding of the spirit of the law.
Thanks and regards
N.S.Venkataraman
Nandini Voice For The Deprived