Election Follies

February 22, 2008.


Election Follies
By T.S.Khanna

Our current system of elections is creating splits within the communities, political parties, and the nation. During each presidential election year these splits are increased and hardened. The long election process causes voters’ fatigue and counter-productive expenditure.

Further, it is observed that most enthusiastic voters do not even know what the responsibilities, and constraints the president’s office carries. Ignoring the issues and the qualifications, merit record, and experience of the candidates, they go after the looks and eloquence. Both, an asset in movies, can be misleading for public service. Edmund Burke, cautioned, “Eloquence may exist without a proportional degree of wisdom”.

I recommend
• The nomination process may be carried out only by the delegates in full confidentiality on a single day at the party’s expense, not at the public expense. Walter Lippmann advised that the many should elect after a few have nominated.
• Requisite qualifications, experience, and qualities may be defined and required for candidates for each elected position.
• Requisite knowledge about an elected office may be required of voters for their eligibility to vote for that office.
• Equal opportunity campaign for the nominated candidates may be arranged by the Election Commission at the public expense. Campaign contributions by corporation, and individuals may be disallowed. This is a form of bribery against the public interest.
• Election Commission may keep a close watch on candidates for any misleading statements, out of bound promises, or any ethics violations, which may disqualify a candidate during the election process.