Election time - wishlist
Ya I know not yet but I was just thinking that unless our expectations change from the elections, its again going to be the same stupid, mind-numbing affair. I for one would like to see some changes this time. Changes like:- I would like the election commission work with the media companies to make available all information about all candidates through multiple media. And not just make the information available but ensure that people use that information to vote. For example, a poor 70 year old lady who cannot speak english should be able to call up a number to find out about the candidate she is thinking of voting for. For someone like me, regular media (internet, television, print, radio) is fine. But ALL media should be used.
- I would like information to be made available which tracks metrics like - criminal cases, financial statements, tax returns, key achievements, amount of allocated funding used, linkages with people of criminal background, number of corruption cases pending in the candidate's constituency....information that allows me to learn how effective this candidate will be. This information is important for me. Please make it available to empower me. Its been 60 years. By now the govt. should know something about how to empower me as a voter.
- I would like to objectively compare one candidate against other. For all qualitative and quantitative parts. Just a 10 by 10 matrix.
This is part of my election wishlist. Dream on you would say but here is the thing...if one keeps doing the same thing, then its dumb and stupid to expect different results. My expectations have changed and I need some change.
Labels: Criminals, Elections, India, NDTV, Politics, Voters, Votes
posted by Musings on India @ 8:49 PM
3 Comments:
Superb Idea Actually (vaguely remember a private organization in Mumbai provides some such info. on corporation elections of the city).
Actually some of this information can become available via RTI - but now imagine that - using RTI to get this basic info...
But my fear (reasonably well founded) is that ultimately people do not vote on the basis of honesty, great candidate et. al... they either vote their caste or vote the most recognizable face. IF, that were not the case criminals like Raja Bhayya would find it impossible to win elections. Mayawati would have to answer what happened to Taj Corridor case before getting a landslide victory.
I agree with you totally. The fear is totally valid. At the same time unless things wont change unless we think of changing them. I think rather than an NGO based approach, it shoudl be a PPP effort where the media houses work with the election commission. Despite the fact that RTI is facing stiff challenges, its still making progress. Which is fine. AKD, these changes will take a generation or two to be put in place. No point thinking in the short term I think.
I have observed how bad my grammar becomes when I post comments. It sucks. :-)
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