SC has ruled on ‘Right to Reject’ (RTR) which translated in layman’s language is ‘None of the above’ (NOTA) option in election process. From next election onwards the voters (those who that that pain to get out of their homes on the holiday called Election Day – only to vote) there will be one more option added on the voting machine at the end called ‘None of the Above’
Fortunately the Honourable Judges did not go further to change the outcome of the election process which could have led straight to anarchy. Hence, in that sense the ‘Right to Reject’ or ‘None of the above’ option currently remains a tokenism. Which means NOTA will only remain a button on the electronic voting machines eventually to be counted and ignored without influencing the electoral results. Though, it will surely make a huge psychological impact on the political class if NOTA votes exceed the votes for winning candidate in any constituency.
The original demand of RTR/NOTA was that if in any constituency the NOTA votes are higher than winning candidate, there would be re-election in that constituency. The logic being we do not want to elect corrupt or criminals to governing office.
Eventually, suppose, if we get that option, from where a new person would get elected unless one of us wishes to leave his / her comforts behind and serve nation.
So the solution lies in the problem itself. Governance. We have to be IN the system to CHANGE the system. Only those people who are responsible for execution of duties can bring the change. Hence, the only and lasting solution is fresh people entering governing institutions – get elected as leader / get selected as bureaucrat – and remain non-corrupt!
If we have waited for so long then why not wait till next elections or next IAS exams!
Empowered ‘Right to Reject’ which can enforce re-election, if enforced without ‘Compulsory Voting’ will lead to anarchy and distance the already disenchanted youth from the most noble patriotic activity of serving the nation.
Meanwhile, in absence of Compulsory Voting, the winning candidate has to concentrate only on about 8% to 15% of the population in his constituency.
Say for example, in any constituency, there are 120 people and of them 20 are below 18 years. From the rest, a large number of eligible citizens are not registered as voters. And balance who are registered as voters, only about 50% of them turn-up for voting. Hence, if any candidate concentrates only on certain religious, linguistic or caste-based community, he is more likely to win.
This apathy of citizens to not get registered as voter or turn-up at the polling booth on the Election Day is the primary problem for the pathological apathy of MP / MLA / Municipal Corporator towards citizens. The elected representative already knows that he is able to win even when over 80% of the population did not vote in his favour. He is even confident that he would get re-elected till he concentrates and nurtures this religious, linguistic or caste-based community with tokenism of food-booze parties, festival sponsorships and save them during law violations.
What if all 100% of eligible citizens of that constituency get registered as voters? What if all 100% eligible citizens come out and exercise their voting right? Will these political candidates win so easily? Will the leaders now only concentrate on religion, language or caste line or will these lines vanish if 100% eligible citizens come out to vote?
In who’s hand is this power to change this equation?
It is highly unfortunate that people have grown so disenchanted from electoral politics and have lost complete hope. It is highly unfortunate because there is no hope lost. In fact the nation is bright, sunny and smiling. It is the people who have closed their eyes and complaining of darkness.
The demand for ‘Compulsory Voting’ stems precisely because people shut their eyes and complain of darkness – loss of faith in electoral democracy.
For many this ‘Right to Reject’ or ‘None of the Above’ option seems the only solution to the political problems. This is their misconception. The anger against the present lot of politicians is justified but it is being misplaced entirely on to electoral process. Rather our own fellow brothers, sisters and friends are to share the blame as they enjoy the day off on Election Day and add to the politician’s complacency.
Both ‘Right to Reject’ and ‘Compulsory Voting’ can co-exist only together. One without other will only shift and change nature of problems.
If all 100% come out for vote, there is no specific community to appease. The only community to appease is the voters and in this case it would be all voters. This will make the elected representatives to work for all. The divisive politics would surely be minimised if not end immediately
Join Politics..!!
Join Bureaucracy.!!
Get Registered..!!
Go Vote..!!
Strengthen Democracy – Lasting Solution – No Shortcut..!
[The blog originally appeared on September 28, 2013 at my old blog site here: http://ajayrdave.blogspot.com/2013/09/right-to-reject-and-compulsory-voting.html]