Expert panel evolves consensus on election ethics

PUNE, AUG 31: Character was the most repeated word at a discussion on Coming Elections' at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan today, where the p...

PUNE, AUG 31: Character was the most repeated word at a discussion on Coming Elections8217; at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan today, where the panel of distinguished speakers were unanimous that only candidates of calibre, character and ethics should receive our franchise.

Stressing the importance of ethics in administration, Lt. Gen retd Y D Sahasrabuddhe said that it is better not to vote than to use your franchise to elect an undeserving candidate. P R Dubashi, an ex-IAS officer, said it was of prime importance for all candidates to be well-versed in jurisprudence and the working of administrative machinery to use it for maximum social benefit.

Describing the frequent uproarious and unpleasant scenes in the two Houses of Parliament as a poor reflection of society which blindly uses its sacrosanct right to vote to elect such leaders to represent them, Prof Arun Sadhu, Head of the Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune, said, 8220;We get the leaders we deserve, and it is time for society to reflect on its own role in the political problems facing the country.8221;

Answering a question about the need for laying down minimum educational qualifications for candidates contestin for the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, writer and journalist S K Kulkarni said that since mere formal education does not ensure spotless character, no such limitations should be placed, for history had produced various leaders of repute with a minor educational background.

Addressing journalism students of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, University of Pune, and the Nanasaheb Parulekar Journalism College, Sadhu emphasised the importance of exposing and opposing the unscrupulous and corrupt methods of ballot-rigging during elections and to increase public awareness against corruption at all levels in administration. Dr Dubashi and Prof. G P Pradhan discussed the importance of maintaining the separation of powers between the legislature and executive, to prevent obstacles in the smooth running of government machinery, while replying to a question about the pressures on administrative officers from their political bosses. While the need to cut down national expenditure on elections was emphasised most, in reply to a question about stable governments, Air Marshal retd S Kulkarni said it is time citizens gave serious thought to devising measures to rise out of the corruption and factionalism plaguing the government.

The highlight of the discussion, which covered the issues ofstable, corruption-free governments, and frequent elections, was the need for civic consciousness and the significance of voting for only upright, honest candidates.