1. ELECTIONS: A TEST OF MONEY AND
MUSCLE POWER.
Team Luminance
SRM University, Chennai
Team Members
Mohanakrishnan S
Korah Jacob
Sree Ganesh S
Vivek M
Abel Jayamon
2. The current scenario in Indian election is such that it is
impossible for a common man with honest intentions and
little resources from winning elections.
Since politics has become a highly profitable line of work
which can bring in enough wealth to last generations,
politicians have but one aim to embrace power by any means,
the resultant of which is the usage of money and muscle
power.
Power hungry and corrupt politicians use money to lure the
poor people of our nation who are tempted easily due to their
needful economic conditions and easily fall for the
politicians' blunt promises.
3. India has never been ruled by generals, but the current situation is not very different from this as politicians
are using money and muscle power to their advantage.
The figures serve as a testimony to show money plays a deciding role in the outcome of an election.
4%
20%
25%
51%
No of candidates
very high (5 cr and above) high (50 lakhs to 5 cr)
medium (10 lakhs to 50 lakhs) less (less than 10 lakhs)
56%
32%
11%
1%
Percentage of winners
very high (5 cr and above) high (50 lakhs to 5 cr)
medium (10 lakhs to 50 lakhs) less (less than 10 lakhs)
5. Subjecting candidates to psychometric tests
Candidates wishing to contest elections must be subjected to
psychometric tests to determine their mind-set. This can to a very large
extend keep people with intentions other than to serve people of the
country from getting elected by means of money and muscle power.
The organisations conducting this test must be free from the control of
the government in all ways.
Reducing people granted parole during election time
The number of people being granted parole during election time
should be brought to a minimum as criminals are brought out on
purpose for activities such as booth capturing, distribution of money
to lure voters and such activities.
6. Dry week
Like money, liquor too is given away to attract voters. Liquor
plays and important role in getting ruffians to work for candidates
during election time for booth capturing and rigging. Limiting the
sale of liquor for a week prior to the election can reduce the role of
alcohol in determining the winner of an election to a very large
extent.
People found drunk during this week should be apprehended and
appropriate actions must be taken to find the source.
Announcing candidates earlier
The list of candidates contesting in elections should be
made available to the public at least 3 months before the
date of election. This provides the public time to analyse
the credibility of the candidates.
7. Counselling of voters
Enlightening voters regarding the power vested in them in the form
of vote and how a wrong choice can adversely affect them and the
people around them can prevent the voters from being cajoled.
A nation wide campaign by eminent personalities regarding the
same should be conducted. Campaign should be concentrated in
regions with low literacy rate as these are the people easily carried
away with the short term benefits they receive from candidates.
Voting machines with fingerprint
scanner
Usage of voting machines with fingerprint
scanner can prevent impersonation which is
common in rural areas. Linking the voter’s
identity card with their Aadhar Number can
ensure that the impersonation of voters is
averted.
8. Special court for election related cases
As there are already many cases pending in general
courts, special courts for election related cases should
be set up. These courts should release judgement for
cases filed within a set period of time.
Debarring of candidates with criminal
offence
Candidates with proven serious criminal offences
must be barred from contesting in elections.
The court should be given authority to decide
whether a candidate is worthy of contesting
election in case of pending cases.
As mentioned earlier, announcing the candidates
list early will help the court with the same.
9. Hurdles
It will be very difficult to bring about these changes as the people responsible to bring about these changes
are the ones resorting to these unconstitutional ways of winning an election.
There are chances that counselling might become a cajolery to vote for a particular candidate.
Starting new courts will involve huge monetary requirements. The need for new judges will add to the
already existing shortage of judges.
To link voter’s identity with Aadhar card, all the current citizens who hold voter’s identity must enrol for
Aadhar or NPR.
There will be heavy opposition from bar owners and wine shop owners against the closure of their shops for
a week.
These small hurdles can easily be overcome with a little effort from the side of the
concerned authorities.
10. Conclusion
It would be inapprehensive to assume all candidates with money resort to muscle power for winning
elections.
All the problems that our country face can easily be overcome if the citizens realize the importance of
choosing their representatives wisely.
The outcome of Indian elections can never be taken as a genuine representation of democracy as long
as the commonness of money and muscle power intimidation remains.
