Democracy: A Joke?

People choose Congress, they don't deliver, so next time, they elect the BJP. Even they fail. In the next elections, it's Congress's turn, and it goes on. And they live happily forever. The ministers just get richer by leaps and bounds regardless of who reigns. Oh darling, yeh hae India. #DemocracyFails.

Then there is a set of people who care about India and who often ask - "Suggest something to break out of this trend."

Yes, of course! After all, you can't just get away by elaborating problems and making a mockery of the largest democracy in the world.

So here is a set of proposed measures for the beloved countrymen:

1. By not voting blindly based on popularity, wealth, power etc. Many a time, ignorant people tick on any options just for the heck of it while casting a vote or succumb to temptations such as cash, liquor etc. for the vote. These people need to be educated. Most people don't even step out of their houses to vote, primarily because of two reasons - lack of faith in politicians and lack of knowledge about political surroundings. Faith will automatically build once they start electing the right people over and over again and knowledge will come only if they become alert about the candidates and see what have they actually done in the past and whether they have the 'character' to shoulder the responsibility of people in their community. Two types of checklists should be prepared for evaluating the best person. One, on broader parameters having questions like "Did A/B reduce inflation", "Did A/B control corruption cases", "Did A/B practice favoritsm for party, relatives, etc" and similar questions for terrorism and other burning issues. The other checklist should be local, having questions like "Did A/B build roads,, hygiene" and questions related to local issues/development. This should be distributed to those whose names are in the voter's list. It will give people a fair idea about the performances before they actually cast their vote. Once they have the facts in front of them, they will gain confidence, and more and more people will start taking an interest in the election process.

 

2. An audit of these politicians, having the details of their expenses, assets and other financial transactions, should be conducted and made public before any election takes place.
Any candidate who has a dubious record, criminal record or is involved in any scam should not be allowed to stand in elections, no matter how big or small he is.

3. Big corporations, and elite class, and educated people in the country should rise above their strategic corporate and personal interests and raise their voices against corruption and other issues instead of merely watching. Charity work is good, but if they become more proactive and participative and have the same fire in the belly toward the nation too, the need for charity will also reduce.
Support and help people who fight for a cause. It takes a lot of courage to do that!

These are the basic measures and practices that need to be taken care of in a democracy. Once this gets properly executed, there would be more amendments and improvements pertaining to EVM, generating the right voters list and eliminating other loopholes in the election process, from time to time, which would be comparatively easier to implement.

Jai Hind.