Referendum for Anti Corruption Laws in India: Lessons from Italy

After all the fast, police action, meetings, character assassination, allegations and counter allegations the debate of Anti Corruption Movement in India has now centred on the inclusion of Prime Minister, Members of Parliament and Judiciary in the jurisdiction of the Lokpal (Ombudsman).

The civil society ( btw not many understand what that means in India ) members wants the inclusion of PM, MPs and Judiciary. The ruling party is reluctant. Civil society members are proposing referendum on the jurisdiction of the Lokpal.

Many articulate TV speakers say that referendum is undemocratic. The Government is elected by the people. So we should let the Government allow to do whatever it wants and if somebody has problem than they can choose not to vote for this Government in the next election.

What if the Government is doing wrong and against the will of people? Then it is the job of the Opposition to put pressure on the Government and take the issue in the next election.

What if the Opposition agrees with the Government? That is not possible in politics. The Opposition cannot agree with the Government on any issue especially when at least some section of public is against the issue.

Well when the question is of putting PM and MPs in the purview of the Lokpal, the Opposition can conveniently agree with the Government to avoid scrutiny in the future.

Well then we have Judiciary. Someone can file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and request courts to oversee the issue. Well this gets complicated as Judiciary shouldn’t intervene in merits of the legislation as long as the legislation is constitutional. Moreover for the question of inclusion of Judiciary, there are no guesses what the position of Judiciary will be?

This is going round the circle and current institutions will not be able to solve this. As Einstien said, “Problems cannot be solved by same level of thinking that created them.”

We need to change the thinking for solving corruption menace. Referendum for taking public opinion on these issues looks a practical alternative.

Can a Referendum capture public opinion effectively in a democracy?

Well today only, Italians have voiced their opinion in a historic referendum on privatization of water services, use of nuclear power and above all on immunity against prosecution of their current President.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/world/europe/14italy.html

If Italy can do it then why not India? Both countries name start with “I” and are five letter word. In a country where nothing happens on time except Pizza delivery, this is time to learn some thing good from the Land of Pizzas ( Italy).

Election or Erection? Whats in a word?

ELECTION had always been challenging for politicians across the world. In India, ELECTIONS have been even harder.

Why?

Indian politician face demands of world’s largest ELECTION exercise. ELECTION needs high muscle and money power.

It is difficult to successfully manage ELECTION consecutive times as public is not satisfied with Politicians of any party. Media has termed this as anti incumbency factor.

Public says politicians come only for ELECTIONS to us and then they forget. Politicians say that they don’t forget but it is very difficult to satisfy public.

The biggest threat to politicians is mid term ELECTIONS. Politicians don’t want frequent ELECTIONS as it drains all their resources. Politicians switch loyalties to avoid frequent ELECTIONS.

Frequent ELECTIONS are not good for Economy too. Who knows it better than Economist turned Prime Minister MMS? But MMS say ELECTION is responsibility of Madam. He is only responsible for delivery after successful ELECTION.

With this clear roles and responsibilities, no wonder Congress has mastered art of ELECTION since last 60 years.

But times are changing now and even Congress in facing heat. Now ELECTIONS have become Hi Tech and machines are used. Earlier hand and paper were enough.

To ensure free and fair ELECTIONS we have ELECTION commission. But even ELECTION commission can not stop corruption. Origin of corruption is money spent on ELECTIONS. Businessman gives money to political parties for ELECTIONS and in return they expect favors. Experts say to stop corruption we need state funding of ELECTIONS.

The profile of electorate is changing. Now politicians need to woo more women and young population for their ELECTION. Now parties are fielding young candidates as they can do the manage ELECTION better.

If you think only Indian politicians go extra length for ELECTIONS, think about Obama, who at perfect time ordered to kill Osama and secure his ELECTION.

Now change ELECTION with ERECTION and it becomes hilarious!