1. Blueprint of Political Reforms Presentationby Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap 0

2. State of The Nation Nation Passing through most critical times Nation Passing through most critical times Need for citizens not to remain silent spectators of the ruin but to be vigilant and become active participants in the democratic process Need for citizens not to remain silent spectators of the ruin but to be vigilant and become active participants in the democratic process Ensuring security, equality, human dignity and freedom from exploitation to all Ensuring security, equality, human dignity and freedom from exploitation to all Problems of all pervasive corruption, criminalisation, poverty, illiteracy, rising population, skyrocketing prices and utter callousness of the rulers Problems of all pervasive corruption, criminalisation, poverty, illiteracy, rising population, skyrocketing prices and utter callousness of the rulers Tackling governance deficit, making administration and justice delivery system citizen-centric Tackling governance deficit, making administration and justice delivery system citizen-centric 1

3. Areas Needing Reforms Electoral & Party Reforms Electoral & Party Reforms Assuring stability, good clean corruption free, governance with accountability to the people Assuring stability, good clean corruption free, governance with accountability to the people Union-State Relations Union-State Relations –Misuse of article 356 –3 or 4 tier governance with maximum powers at the grassroots –Bottom-up instead of top-down model Executive and judiciary Executive and judiciary –Reduction of delays –Elimination of Corruption Making public administration Making public administration –Transparent –Citizen-centric & People Friendly Parliamentary Reforms Parliamentary Reforms 2

4. Electoral Reforms Elections as the foundation of representative democracy Elections as the foundation of representative democracy Electoral System – The mother of many of our problems of corruption, criminalisation, black money, governance deficit Electoral System – The mother of many of our problems of corruption, criminalisation, black money, governance deficit Systemic & procedural Problems Systemic & procedural Problems Electoral Reforms Agenda Electoral Reforms Agenda Political Party Reforms Political Party Reforms 3

5. Problems Motivation for entry – not sacrifice and service but getting rich quick Motivation for entry – not sacrifice and service but getting rich quick Electoral system divisive Electoral system divisive –Casteism, communalism and vote bank politics Lack of any role for the People in selection of candidates Lack of any role for the People in selection of candidates Erosion of Representational Legitimacy Erosion of Representational Legitimacy Cost of Elections Cost of ElectionsContd. 4

6. Contd. Electoral Rolls Influencing Voters – –Money, Muscle and Mafia Power – –Criminalisation Independent Candidates – –not serious, for illegitimate gains, dummies Judicial Delays in Election Cases Common Constituents – –Panchayat to Parliament Members Appointment of CEC & ECS 5

7. Reforms Agenda (1) Systemic Selection of Candidates – public role through meetings or primaries Simultaneous Elections – Panchayats to Parliament Making voting Fundamental Duty Recall and Negative Vote - impractical Reforming FPTP System by adding run-off. Making Membership less lucrative Speedy justice in Election case – spl. Courts Contd. 6

8. (2) Process Related Reforms Reduction of Election Costs – State funding in kind Reduction of Election Costs – State funding in kind Foolproof Electoral Rolls – PRI to Parliament Foolproof Electoral Rolls – PRI to Parliament Video & other Surveillance Devices at Booths Video & other Surveillance Devices at Booths Disqualification of those with Criminal Charges Disqualification of those with Criminal Charges Preventing Misuse of Official Machinery Preventing Misuse of Official Machinery Movement for Citizenship Development & Voter Education Movement for Citizenship Development & Voter Education Annual Declaration of Assets & Income by Members Annual Declaration of Assets & Income by Members 7

9. Bottom-up approach Bottom-up approach Village-centric power at grassroots Village-centric power at grassroots Direct election to local bodies only Direct election to local bodies only Indirect Elections to State Assemblies and Parliament Indirect Elections to State Assemblies and Parliament Limits on Salaries and Perks of Members. Limits on Salaries and Perks of Members. 8 Gandhian Model

10. Law for Political Parties Law for Political Parties Regulation of no., registration and recognition of parties Regulation of no., registration and recognition of parties Participation by Women and Youth Participation by Women and Youth Internal Party Democracy, Accountability and transparency Internal Party Democracy, Accountability and transparency Audited Accounts to be put in public domain Audited Accounts to be put in public domain 9 Political Party Reforms

11. Conclusion Necessary to restore to the institutions of democracy credibility, legitimacy and respect of the people. Necessary to restore to the institutions of democracy credibility, legitimacy and respect of the people. One word cause for the fall of Rome was “Corruption”. Public life is “to give” not |to take” One word cause for the fall of Rome was “Corruption”. Public life is “to give” not |to take” Democracy and Freedom are tender plants, unless nursed with care they can wither away fast. Democracy and Freedom are tender plants, unless nursed with care they can wither away fast. 10

12. 11 THANK YOU