Not only has the style of campaigning changed, the profile of the manifestos too has altered, said former chief election commissioner TS Krishnamurthy while delivering a lecture in Bangalore.
Large sums of money used in winning the elections, the rampant ‘gifting’ of items to attract votes, dynastic succession in politics, and the disregard of the manifesto all contribute towards eroding democracy in India, said former chief election commissioner TS Krishnamurthy, as he spoke at a seminar entitled ‘Health of Political Parties in India. Are Reforms Overdue?’ conducted by the Centre for Standards in Public Life.
Not only has the style of campaigning changed, the profile of the manifestos too has altered, Krishnamurthy said, adding that the competitive wooing of voters by distributing free TVs, fridges, computers and laptops is a trend that is worrisome for the health of democracy.
Instead of promising articles or consumer goods, political parties should come out with projects and programmes that could bring enduring benefits, Krishnamurthy said, adding that the Election Commission needs to be strengthened to ensure free, fair and healthy elections, and the anti-defection law ought to be stringent.
While political parties in Western nations were turning more transparent and efficient, politics in India is driven by selfish interests, Krishnamurthy said.
While huge amounts are being spent by political parties, there is no mechanism for ensuring that they keep accurate accounts of expenditure that could be filed with the Election Commission, Krishnamurthy said, adding that poll time often means that political leaders feel free to misuse government vehicles.
BJP MLA Chandrakanth Bellad suggested that voting be made compulsory. “It will help more and more honest candidates get elected,” he said, adding that dynastic succession and disregard for the manifesto was also detrimental to democracy. Former minister B Somashekar alleged that political parties are run with black money, and there is need for bringing in greater transparency in the account-keeping of parties.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}