Pluck low-hanging fruits first on campaign reforms
New Indian ExpressSince the Election Commission has announced the schedule for elections, the question of the quality of political discourse in general and the election campaign in particular becomes all the more relevant. Election campaigns, ideally, have to be about public accountability of political parties and their candidates, public education on key issues, and a serious exercise towards opinion-making in a much more authentic way than at other times. It must mention the extent to which the representative has been able to ensure that the maximum number of eligible persons have taken advantage of government welfare programmes and development schemes. Mandatory publication of manifestos by contesting parties at respective levels, followed by a compulsory action taken report would go a long way. If such measures are implemented, they would automatically help prepare a representative’s progress report, facilitating informed voting.
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