ऐसे सुधरेगी भारत में चुनाव की प्रक्रिया

Summary

The text discusses the electoral process in India, contrasting monarchy and democracy. It notes that in a democracy, any citizen can rise to the highest office if accepted by the people, and elections are the mechanism for this acceptance. The author argues that voting should be based on character and merit, but instead, it often relies on caste, community, and bribes, leading to nepotism and corruption. Candidates spend excessive money beyond legal limits, often from undisclosed sources, creating obligations that compromise governance. The text criticizes the lack of training or qualifications for politicians, unlike other professions, and laments the use of abusive language, character assassination, and violence in campaigns. It rejects the idea that monarchy is preferable, stating that democracy allows challenges to authoritarian actions in court. The author calls for reforms to the electoral process, emphasizing that simply lowering the voting age does not address underlying issues. The text then introduces the Anuvrat movement, a moral initiative started after India's independence, which includes codes of conduct for voters and candidates. For voters, the code prohibits voting based on money, caste, or illegal means, and encourages voting based on merit. For candidates, it prohibits bribing, using fear, or engaging in abusive propaganda, and includes a provision for resigning if three-quarters of voters express no-confidence. The text concludes by listing additional principles for fair elections, such as preventing violence, booth capturing, and vote rigging.