By Mahtab Alam,
The Campaign for Electoral Reforms in India (CERI) is holding a Two-Day National Conference on “Electoral Reform for Proportionate Electorate System”, starting from 10th February, in the National Capital, New Delhi. Prior to this on 9th February, the Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. S Y Qureshi will be releasing the Policy Document prepared by the CERI on this issue. Mahtab Alam spoke to Vidya Bhushan Rawat, a noted activist, writer and member Core Committee of CERI, about various aspects of the issue, conference, the campaign and need of proportionate electoral system.
In the preamble of the manifesto of CERI, “Towards Proportionate Electoral System”, you say, India like US and UK follows majoritarian representative system of democracy or Majoritarian Electoral system, why do you think so?
The concept of majoritarian system is basically very confusing. Frankly, it is the minority vote that determine the majoritarian system. It is said that a candidate wins election because of majority votes. There is no ceiling on how much vote one should get. So, out of 20 candidates who contest in an election, the winner is one who could even get 15% votes if that is higher than any other candidate as happening in India. Of course, in a country like France, you cannot win an election unless you obtain minimum of 50% votes. In India a 2% margin of two vote share can alter the situation drastically and make you lose power. Hence political parties manipulate caste-religious equations. Most of the political parties or their influential individual leaders use this technique to get elected. There is no minimum vote ceiling for getting elected and that is the biggest flaw of the current system.
V B Rawat
What is the alternative, in yours views? And what will be their benefits?
The alternative is Proportionate Electorate System as being practiced in many countries. We can develop it according to our needs but we must not shy away from it now. Germany opted for PES after Hitler stormed to power with strong ‘nationalist’ sentiments. A diverse country like India cannot ignore the importance of its diversity. Its diversity must be reflected in its political representation. For example the representation of minorities is much below and a matter of grave concern. There are 14% minorities in India but see their representation in parliament. Only 30 Muslims were able to make it to Parliament which is grossly below their proportion of Indian population. Accordingly, we should have at least 72 Members of Parliament from Muslim community in the 543-member Lok Sabha.
The benefit of Proportionate Electorate System or PES is that there will be no place for vote-katua (candidates contesting to just spoil others’ victory chances) parties as every vote is counted. Pre-poll alliances will be a reality. Vote percentage would be equal to seat won. Is not it strange when we see the vote percentage and actually seat won; there is a big gap in it. CPM won 40% votes in West Bengal and we claim it’s wiped out while Nitish Kumar won 21% vote and BJP 19% and are ruling Bihar. The Congress led government at the Centre won nearly over 37% seats while getting just 29% votes. This happens because the parties are not just contesting to win but also getting candidates to cut the votes of others. So by dividing votes to win election has become the best practice for those in power. It must be stopped. There is no chance of such a situation in PES. Moreover, in PES you do not need to allure voters. In most of the countries which opted for PES actually elections are funded by state such as the case in Germany, Netherlands etc. India too can do the same.
Yes, but many have strong reservations with systems like PES?
Let me add an important note here, many of the right wing elements have suggested that India must opt for a two party system. They want to switch over to American module which is absolutely a capitalist model in the hands of powerful business interest. We cannot see India without an accountable and responsible Parliament. It is important that to reduce the power of money we must switch over to system which will reduce the role of corporate in our system. American model propagated by likes of Shashi Tharoor are individual based and will only create more problems for India and more interference and interventions of corporate. Are we not witnessing India’s polity being played on American model with individual leaders dominating our poll scene using media and advertisements and continuously getting away from people? We must reject the call for switching over to American model and make a model for India which respect its diversity, protect the interest of its minorities and marginalised and give representations to all. Nothing will match than Proportionate Electorate System which will give power to every individual votes.
Do you think in a country like India, as diverse and complicated as it is, PES will be viable?
Actually, it is the only alternative to make our diversity visible in our assemblies and parliament. Today, there are many communities which has not ever got representation in Parliament and that can be ensured through PES. Tharus, Boxas, Helas, Halalkhors, Mushahars, Kols, Valmikis remain unrepresented. Secondly, even the reserved seats actually not help the Dalits and tribal. It is helping individuals from the community to go into Parliament or assemblies through upper caste votes hence when their leader gets elected they rarely do the work of the community. In fact, they try to shed their community linkages.
I have another example and which is most important. Don’t we see the democratic deficit in Chhatishgarh and Jharkhand? If our MPs were winning with popular mandate then why Adivasis in Bastar feeling isolated, ostracised and disenfranchised? Why the ‘tribal’ government of Jharkhand is unable to promote tribal welfare. It is because the government comes from appeasing others.
On other side of the story is the mandates of Gujarat since 2002 as Modi continue to win with huge margins. But we do not understand that raising the issue of the rights of Muslims or minorities will always have negative reactions in the upper caste Hindus. So, any attempt to get justice to minorities or Dalits is singled out in such way that it helps consolidate the Hindus against them. Question is why Muslim vote in Gujarat does not matter. Why Modi does not care for them. He knows that the more secular go to the Muslim localities, better for him to spread rumours and lies.
A diverse country like India cannot allow its political system to be manipulated by powerful caste-religious groups to hijack denying the minorities and marginalised a true share in power. Therefore, PES has enough checks and balances.
The demand of PES is not new, right then what is holding it back?
During the round table conference in 1932 the British government awarded Muslims with Separate Electorate. Dr Ambedkar had demanded the same for the Dalits which was vociferously opposed by Gandhi resulting in his fast unto death and later a compromise between him and Ambedkar. But that was called separate electorate where Muslims were given two votes. One vote to general candidate and one vote among the Muslims for selected constituencies. Many people in India still feel that Dalits were betrayed by Gandhi on this by blackmailing Ambedkar through fasting unto death. But there is one more fact that Ambedkar had himself on August 27, 1955 spoke for Proportionate Electorate System and felt that we need mixed member Electoral System which will remove the fears of religious and linguistic minorities regarding representation.
Do you think political parties, especially ‘mainstream’ are interested in this form of governance?
Political parties need to be updated about it. I am happy to inform you that Left Parties, both CPI and CPI (M) have supported our view point. All India Milli Council has supported. Regional parties including DMK, PMK, Akali Dal, and RPI have supported it in various forums including representation to Law Commission and demanded that India should switch over to listing system.
What is the response of Election Commission of India, any discussion or dialogue in this regard?
I would not like to speak on behalf of Election Commission but the fact that Chief Election Commissioner Mr S.Y. Quraishi has given his consent to release our policy document shows his concern about the growing problems in our electoral system.
Okay, what CERI has to say on right to reject and recall?
We feel that putting one issue or other without any serious debate will not resolve the things but complicate the issue. Once we switch over to PES, there is no question of these problems. Right to recall is a very dangerous call by the power elite who will use it against minorities and marginalised. Secondly, is it possible for one billion people to go for elections and bi-elections every now and then? We must not give such ideas which will only bring chaos and anarchy in the country. Electoral Reform is a serious issue and need to be debated seriously with pros and cons as well as making India’s secular plural ethos intact.
Tell us about the conference CERI is holding. What it aims for?
CERI had earlier organised a National Conference in Delhi in February 2009. Since then we had a large number of state conferences. After which we had a workshop on PES suited according to the needs of India in Berlin in which many experts from India and abroad participated. The Berlin Statement had given a guideline about a possible frame work on PES in India. Afterwards, we had taken that to various states, discussed and now a complete policy document will be released on February 9th, 2012 by the Chief Election Commissioner, Shri S.Y.Quraishi. This document will be the guide for our campaign with political leaders and parties. We would like to take this campaign to political parties and leaders so that they can take the matter to Parliament in future in the form of a bill.
Who all are supporting this campaign, any commitment from political parties and mass organisations to your cause?
As I said earlier, left parties have supported our initiatives, All India Milli Council has also passed resolution, many regional parties in the North East, Tamilnadu etc have supported us. Republican Party of India too agreed with our view point. In this phase CERI will reach to wider civil society organisations as well as political parties for support of this cause.
(Mr. Vidya Bhushan Rawat can be contacted at [email protected])