Lokpal probably now going to become a dream-come-true after long wait of 42 years since the Bill was first introduced is indeed a welcome curative measure for our system deep rooted in corruption. But we simultaneously need preventive measures in the form of massive and wide-ranging poll-reforms so that wrong and undeserving elements may not be reaching the corridors of Parliament. Union government which had to face a ‘crushing defeat’ at the hands of masses by being forced to reject its own useless sarkari Lokpal Bill, has a chance for facelift by suo-motto introducing a Bill on much-needed poll-reforms so that any future LokSabha elections may be on basis of poll reforms to be legislated.
Members of civil society have demanded ‘Right to Reject’ and ‘Right to Recall’. But if proper poll reforms are made, then perhaps ‘Right To Recall’ may not be needed at all. However ‘Right To Reject’ is definitely feasible by having a button for ‘None To Vote’ at bottom of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). However, such an option may be exercised only once during a poll. On all candidates being rejected in a constituency, fresh polls with new candidates may be held but without giving option for ‘None To Vote’. All the rejected candidates through ‘None to Vote’ option may not be allowed to contest any election for next six years.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal
Delhi