Correcting electoral rolls in a society like India’s has to be done the hard way — going door to door. Quick fixes and tech solutions like Aadhaar can do more harm than good The issue of linking India’s voters’ list with the Aadhaar database is in news again with the surreptitious passage of The […]
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Apprehensions persist over electoral bonds
Only 15 regional parties received donations through electoral bonds, the highest amount being BJD’s Rs264 crore. For the Opposition parties, electoral bonds pose the fear of omission (being starved of funds) and the fear of commission — being traced and harassed by the ED and CBI. How would you like to play a game in […]
There’s Not Much to Celebrate in EC Saying Candidates Have to Declare Criminal Records
All that the announcement does is to follow exactly what several judgments of the Supreme Court have ordered. The announcement of the schedule for elections for five state assemblies was a much anticipated event. What attracted attention of some observers was the inclusion of requirements for disclosure of criminal antecedents by candidate and political parties […]
Who Was Ajay Mishra Before He Became a Legislator?
The Union minister of state for home affairs was acquitted in a 2000 murder case, but appeal is still pending before the Allahabad high court, and the case is still sub-judice. Ajay Kumar Mishra is one of the three ministers of state in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Some of his personal and professional information can […]
Why Has the EC Brought Back the Dangerous Proposal to Link Voter IDs With Aadhaar?
Despite the ECI’s enquiries and reassurances, there is a fairly widespread impression that the attempted linking of electoral roll data with Aadhaar may have resulted in the disenfranchisement of legitimate voters. After a gap of six years, the dubious linkage between voters IDs with Aadhaar numbers is back in the news. It was reported on […]
बहुत जरूरी हैं चुनाव सुधार
हाल ही में हैदराबाद की एक विशेष अदालत ने तेलंगाना राष्ट्र समिति की सांसद कविता मलोथ को छह महीने कारावास की सजा सुनायी है. कविता ने 2019 लोकसभा चुनाव में अपने पक्ष में मतदान के लिए लोगों को पैसे बांटे थे. चुनाव के दौरान मतदाताओं को पैसे बांटने के लिए किसी पदस्थ सांसद को अपराधी […]
Why the Powers That Be Aren’t Worried About the Many Crises in India
The Sangh parivar knows that its Hindu rashtra project is close to complete. It cares about little else. The nation seems to be in a state of suspended animation. The loss of lives due to the coronavirus pandemic, the unprecedented collapse of the economy, the loss of jobs, the destruction of businesses, the short shrift […]
Justice Akil Kureshi Elevation: Should Token Gender Empowerment Trump Fairness?
Presenting the current impasse in the Collegium as one that could ‘cost India its first female CJI’ would be a mistake. Should token gender empowerment trump fairness? The question may not be politically correct, but please read this headline: “Will collegium impasse cost India chance to get woman CJI in 2027?” I am not sure […]
Can the Farmers’ Protest Be the Beacon for Consolidation of the Polity?
The polarisation caused by traditional bases of political and electoral mobilisation means that new methods are required. The farmers’ protest has transcended these divisions. “First they came for the rationalists (Dabholkar, Pansare, Kalburgi), and I did not speak out – because I was not sure I was a rationalist.Then they came for Dalits (Rohith Vermula, […]
Significance of notice in Najma v GNCTD: Holding politicians accountable for their promises
The authors of this article are Prof Jagdeep Chhokar (Founder Member & Trustee of ADR) & Gaurav Jain (Advocate). Scores of tenants are virtually trapped in their rented accommodations for not being able to pay rent which they expected would be paid by the Delhi government as per its promise. On December 17, 2020, the […]