Sting catches Jharkhand MLAs asking for money to vote

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MADHU AGRAWAL

07 August, 2010

It refers to Election Commission directing Jharkhand government to file FIR against MLAs demanding cash-for-vote in Rajya Sabha elections as caught on camera in the sting carried by a TV channel.

IT REFERS to Election Commission directing Jharkhand government to file an FIR against MLAs demanding cash-for-vote in Rajya Sabha elections as they were caught on camera in the sting carried by a TV channel. Congress party has done well by instantly acting and issuing show-cause notices to its MLAs. Other parties should also initiate similar action against their MLAs demanding cash for vote.

It is indeed unfortunate that revised open-ballot system for Rajya Sabha elections has given party-bosses undue power to offer en-block party-votes of its MLAs to rich people, who can afford to woo big party-bosses.

Party MLAs in open-ballot system have virtually become bonded and need to dance to tunes of party-bosses. To avoid any possible role of money-power in Rajya Sabha elections, secret-ballot system should be restored.

Also to ensure transparency in the Upper House, system should be to hold all regular and by-elections to Rajya Sabha simultaneously. A person getting most votes may be declared elected for full term, while those getting subsequent lower votes should be elected for part time terms. To avoid Rajya Sabha being made dumping ground for rejected politicians, people losing any election in last six years should not be allowed to enter Rajya Sabha.