The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Notes for votes

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Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009
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Notes for votes

Published at a time when the print and electronic media vie with one another for giving wide coverage to instances of monetary payments by prospective candidates to voters in their constituencies on poll-eve, the article “How ‘notes for votes’ dampen democracy (April 6)” analyses key aspects relevant to the issue. There can’t be smoke without fire and money is used to woo the voter. At the same time, it is difficult to concur with the conclusion that the ‘notes for votes’ phenomenon has spread among the populace irrespective of age group, income level and educational level, in urban and rural settings. I have voted in all the elections so far held in independent India for local bodies, assemblies and Parliament and I have not yet come across any instance where money was offered to the educated middle class which constitutes a sizeable section of the voters. It must be only the poor and the unlettered who fall an easy prey to such temptations.

K.D. Viswanaathan,

Coimbatore

The periodic drill conducted by the Election Commission to issue notices to political parties for alleged infringement of the model code of conduct is an exercise in futility. No leader has ever been found guilty of violating the laws and awarded punishment prescribed in the rule book. At the most, the Commission warns them mildly before letting them off the hook.

Arun Malankar,

Mumbai

Today, election is not a symbol of national unity, the rule of law, democracy or the welfare of the people. It has, instead, emerged as a combination of casteism, communalism, vote bank politics and black money. All these not only erode the people’s respect towards their representatives but also force them to doubt the very electoral process.

Ankit Kumar,

Ghaziabad

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