Proportionate Electoral System is the only alternative to strengthen democracy: A.B. Bardhan

11 March, 2013

Speaking on the release of a book, 'Electoral System' written by M.C. Raj, a campaigner for proportionate electoral system in India, senior CPI leader AB Bardhan said in New Delhi that Proportionate Electoral System is the 'only alternative' to strengthen democracy.

He said that there is a thorough lack of will power in the political segment, the elected representatives, the bureaucracy as well as the social conditioning process. Bardhan also criticized the present electoral system of First Past the Post (FPTP) as it doesn’t represent the voice of the majority section, according to a press release issued by the Campaign for Electoral Reforms in India (CERI).

The former General Secretary of CPI said that contemporary attempts at electoral reforms have been focusing on tinkering with the present FPTP system and making it more presentable to the public. “The huge wastage of votes to the tune of nearly 70% in Indian democracy can in no way be justified,” Bardhan said.

Moreover, it is also by now conclusively evident that FPTP has led to the fragmentation of political parties, to uncontrollable levels of corruption, violence, casteism and communalism. India too has a history of toying with attempts to bring about PR system.

During the event, various leaders and representatives of political parties and people’s movements expressed their strong dissent towards the present system viz. FPTP and strongly advocated the Proportional Representation (PR) system. Most of the speakers also recognized the prominence of the Campaign for Electoral Reforms in India (CERI) in spearheading the PR campaign across the country.

The speakers highlighted the exclusive character of Indian democracy and governance by critically avoiding Dalits, Adivasis, Minorities, Women, Working Class and other backward sections.

The other key speakers at the event were S.K. Biswas (All India Progressive Forum), M.C. Raj (CERI), Prof. Jawaharulla (Manithaneya Makkal Katchi), Jyotiraj (REDS), Dr. Iliyas (Welfare Party of India), Vishnu Baghel (Chhattisgarh Swabhiman Manch), Akhilesh Katyar (Shoshit Samaj Dal), Dr. Narasingh (Communist Party of India), A. Priyadarshni (Janmukti Sangharsh Vahini), Ravikumar (Vidudalai Chiraitigal Katchi), K. Ambujakshan (Kerala Dalit Panthar), Kapileshwar Ram (Dalit Adhikar Manch).

A solidarity statement, supported by 12 political parties and more than 30 people’s organizations, expressed complete solidarity towards the efforts of CERI and asserted to strengthen the campaign for PES. The statement says that India will do well to transform its electoral system into a Proportional Representation (PR) system.

PR system will ensure the inclusive representation of hitherto excluded sections of people both in the parliament and the state assemblies. The statement further appreciated and recognized the role of the CERI as a campaign through researches, advocacy, lobbying and grass-root mobilization.