Columnists

S Y Quraishi

Quraishi is former Chief Election Commissioner.

NFHS-5 data shows literacy and delivery of services, not religion, influences fertility

Wed, May 11, 2022

S Y Quraishi writes: India has achieved the replacement rate for its population. Now, 'unmet need' for family planning tools must be provided for.

Hate speech is violent in itself and must be called out

Fri, Apr 15, 2022

SY Quraishi writes: It is at the root of many forms of violence that are being perpetrated and has become one of the biggest challenges to the rule of law and to our democratic conscience

More women in politics will strengthen democracy

Tue, Mar 08, 2022

S Y Quraishi writes: There is already greater voter turnout of women than in past decades. There must now be push for more women to be elected to legislative bodies and hold decision-making positions in political parties

Why opinion polls need regulation

Wed, Feb 09, 2022

S Y Quraishi writes: Despite EC's efforts, broad consensus from political parties, opinion and exit polls continue to undermine elections

Why EC can’t delay upcoming polls

Mon, Jan 03, 2022

That would be a violation of the constitutional mandate that gives every Vidhan Sabha a fixed term. In light of the Omicron threat, the focus should be on strict enforcement of guidelines.

Electoral reform is welcome, but shouldn’t be selective

Thu, Dec 23, 2021

🔴 S Y Quraishi write: Government must take up all pending electoral reform proposals, instead of only going for politically motivated reforms like simultaneous elections and electoral bonds.

Summoning CEC, EC to PMO is outrageous

Sat, Dec 18, 2021

🔴 S Y Quraishi writes: It is in violation of the constitutional spirit, irrespective of how important or urgent the issue

Instead of denying slide in democratic values, India must work to fix it

Thu, Sep 16, 2021

S Y Quraishi writes: Trying to bully or influence rating agencies to doctor data to suit us is reprehensible.

On women’s rights, can the Taliban pass the scripture test?

Sat, Aug 21, 2021

S Y Quraishi writes: Islamic tenets prescribe equality for women. Unfortunately, Muslims often violate them.

Criminalisation of politics must be curbed

Sat, Aug 14, 2021

S Y Quraishi writes: While SC recently expressed anguish over the issue, legislature and political parties remain reluctant to act.

Sudden interest in ‘population control’ in Assam and UP points to political bad faith

Thu, Jul 15, 2021

S Y Quraishi writes: What is the provocation for the CMs of Assam and UP to suddenly announce their respective population policies?

How are the claims of rival factions in a political party settled?

Sat, Jun 19, 2021

S Y Quraishi writes: In such cases, like the recent split within the LJP, the election commission must use guidelines and precedents to make a decision.

Supreme Court could have removed secrecy around electoral bonds. Too bad it didn’t

Thu, Apr 08, 2021

As former finance minister Arun Jaitley said in his budget speech in 2017, without transparency of political funding, free and fair elections are not possible

Bihar can be a leading example of how to successfully conduct a poll in difficult times

Thu, Nov 12, 2020

After facing some serious questions during the general elections in 2019, that affected its image, the Bihar elections were an opportunity for the ECI to prove its efficiency and evenhandedness to every sceptic.

People-meters have a history of manipulation. Huge penetration of Direct-to-Home television offers a solution

Sat, Oct 10, 2020

The manipulation does not involve just financial fraud, but a bigger crime of fraud on the people’s right to know the truth, which the media is morally and legally bound to provide, instead of fake news and manufactured hate narratives.

There are several models that can both preserve media independence as well as regulate it

Fri, Sep 25, 2020

Whichever model it chooses, the Supreme Court must not fall prey to the diversionary tactics of vested interests. It should also see this case as an opportunity to change the image of inaction and insensitivity it has unfortunately acquired during the last couple of years.

In Bihar, EC’s challenge: To ensure level playing field in a mostly virtual campaign

Fri, Aug 21, 2020

S Y Quraishi writes: Can the virtual rallies replace the door-to-door and large-scale physical campaigning that are the heart and soul of any democratic election? Not really.

Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections will hold lessons for India’s Election Commission ahead of Bihar polls

Mon, Aug 03, 2020

So far, South Korea has been the template. Sri Lanka may provide some more insights.

In this time of crisis, the most urgent imperative is to protect underprivileged families from starvation

Sat, Jun 27, 2020

There is an urgent requirement to put money in the hands of the impoverished to support them during the pandemic. This has been the refrain of the Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee. Further, the government must tighten the implementation of its critical schemes related to nutrition, food security and healthcare.

Our children need a happy, congenial environment to grow up in, not a climate of fear

Wed, Apr 29, 2020

If the formative years are so crucial, it is vital that what a child is exposed to is healthy and positive. In the global village, there are streams of messages floating around, generated by mutual hatred. Children are mercilessly left to infer what they can from these.

Columnists

S Y Quraishi

NFHS-5 data shows literacy and delivery of services, not religion, influences fertility

Hate speech is violent in itself and must be called out

More women in politics will strengthen democracy

Why opinion polls need regulation

Why EC can’t delay upcoming polls

Electoral reform is welcome, but shouldn’t be selective

Summoning CEC, EC to PMO is outrageous

Instead of denying slide in democratic values, India must work to fix it

On women’s rights, can the Taliban pass the scripture test?

Criminalisation of politics must be curbed

Sudden interest in ‘population control’ in Assam and UP points to political bad faith

How are the claims of rival factions in a political party settled?

Supreme Court could have removed secrecy around electoral bonds. Too bad it didn’t

Bihar can be a leading example of how to successfully conduct a poll in difficult times

People-meters have a history of manipulation. Huge penetration of Direct-to-Home television offers a solution

There are several models that can both preserve media independence as well as regulate it

In Bihar, EC’s challenge: To ensure level playing field in a mostly virtual campaign

Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections will hold lessons for India’s Election Commission ahead of Bihar polls

In this time of crisis, the most urgent imperative is to protect underprivileged families from starvation

Our children need a happy, congenial environment to grow up in, not a climate of fear

A weak rebuke: It’s unfortunate EC didn’t punish hate speech in Delhi campaign

He put fear of God in recalcitrant politicians, was respected by all… Good bye, Mr Seshan

As Sri Lanka prepares for presidential polls, its Election Commission is the winner

A protege’s tribute

Slipping on democracy

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