The dates for the
election of the world’s largest democracy have been declared. The general election will be held
in nine phases, the longest election in the country's history, from 7th
April to 12th May 2014 to constitute the 16th Lok Sabha. The
results will be declared on 16th May 2014. According
to the Election Commission
of India, the electoral strength in 2014 is 81.45 crores, the largest in the world. The number of first time voters is
around 10 crores. This also will
be the longest and the costliest general election in the history of the country
with the Election Commission of India estimating that the election will cost
the exchequer Rs 3,500 crores, excluding the expenses incurred for security and
individual political parties. Parties
are expected to spend 30,500 crores in the election, according to the Centre
for Media Studies. This is the world's second highest after the USD 7 billion
spent on the 2012 U.S.
election.
Political parties are
busy in allotting constituency to their respective leaders so as to make sure
that they win from that particular area. This has also provoked many internal
conflicts within the parties and its workers. Speculations about Mulayam Singh
Yadav, Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejrival deciding to contest elections from two
seats have triggered new controversies.
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| Courtesy: Google Images |
The strategy of
contesting from two different constituencies is unethical and making mockery of
the democratic system. Before Independence,
there was no cap on the number of constituencies that candidates could contest.
The two seat cap was implemented under the
Representation of People Act 1951. Under section 33 of the
Representation of People Act, 1951, a person is allowed
to contest polls, whether a general election, more than one by-elections or
biennial elections, from a maximum of two seats. In a situation where a person
wins both the seats, he must vacate one within 10 days, triggering a
by-election, as stated under section 70 of the Representation of the People Act
1951. The vote-bank calculations in India are
complicated and in such situations, for political parties to put up winnable
candidates in each constituency is a difficult task. Thus the law of allowing
two seats to one person gives them the flexibility.
The common man has to set priorities in his everyday life
whether at home or at office. A person cannot appear for interview at two
different places at the same time. A doctor cannot operate two patients at the
same time. A sportsperson cannot play two different games at the same time. A
voter cannot vote twice. Then why are our politicians given this privilege? Why
they are not forced to prioritize their constituency? Why are they allowed to
contest from two constituencies? They win an election even if they have lost
one. The person enters the parliament even if he has been rejected by people of
one constituency. This is clearly insulting the decision of the people and
hence the democracy.
And what if they win on both the seats? They have to vacate
one as per law and fresh elections will be held for that constituency. Who will
be paying the expenses of this re-election? The common man, we, the taxpayers
have to bear those expenses. What was our fault? It is degrading the morals of
voters and the value of their votes.
Subhash Kashyap,
historian and former secretary-general of the Lok Sabha said: “It doesn’t serve
any useful purpose. What it does is allow candidates to cover political risks
by falling back upon a constituency if they are to lose the election to a
seat.” Sanjay Kumar, fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies
in New Delhi, said: “Allowing candidates to stand from more than one
constituency was a “drain on the exchequer” and the electorate since people
were compelled to participate in an unwarranted and forced by-election.” Now
it’s time to update the electoral reforms.
Election Commission is also of the view that the law should be amended to
restrain candidates from contesting two seats simultaneously. Yes, this would
increase the risk factor for politicians but it is in the welfare of our
democracy. Let's have one person, one vote with one candidate, one seat.
