8.Election Schedule (ONE Nation ONE Poll)

Elections should be scheduled at Five-year intervals as laid down, and should be conducted together for all Local/State/National bodies. All this will ensure stability for those elected and allow them to take a stand on various matters without worrying about the effect on some upcoming election and will also, save unnecessary costs. It will also, ensure that when the people vote for a change, it is a complete change and not made ineffective by the earlier elected politicians in other legislative bodies, whose policies were found unsatisfactory and which are now sought to be replaced.

9.Bye-Elections and Midterm Polls

Also, to ensure a consistent and fixed term for all elected politicians, it is necessary to avoid frequent bye-elections. Therefore, the balance term of any deceased, resigned, expelled, or recalled politician should be filled in by an appointee nominated by the Party of that politician. This practice should be acceptable since firstly, the candidate can reasonably be assumed to have been voted in due to his/her membership of the Party, and also, as even today a person can be nominated to the Rajya Sabha or a Legislative Council or even made a Minister requiring only election to the Assembly or the Parliament within six months thereafter. This at worst only needs an extension of this period upto the end of the current term of the Body.

10.No Confidence Vote or Confidence Vote

The concept of a ‘No Confidence’ vote against an existing Government should be replaced by a ‘Vote of Confidence’ in some other leader or Party and announced in the Legislative body. the decision taken immediately say, within two working days, on the floor of the respective body. This will do away with ‘horse trading, and’ the uncertainty of a ‘Care Taker’ Government’ and frequent mid – term elections.

11.Professional Politicians

A professional way of running a political party should not be confused with politicians becoming professional. We do not need Professional or Dynastic politicians. Politics should never be seen as a career or as a profession. This leads to dynasty politicians. It should only be seen as a calling -a call to Service.

Most present-day politicians are professional politicians who see politics as the way to entrench themselves into the system and seek to influence decisions or policies in a manner as to benefit them and their cronies. Such benefits are so extensive that such politicians are reluctant to lose them. They thus seek to continue as a politician and even strive to establish their children and relatives as their successors in politics, soon leading to a family or dynasty political establishment. Hence, it is seen that the same few political elites, having built up a crony relationship with amenable bureaucrats willing to work with them for a share in the gains or benefits, offer themselves as candidates every time. The political space is hence, increasingly occupied not by concerned citizens with an attitude of ‘Service before Self’, but by such career politicians, supported by their bureaucratic henchmen, by their big business cronies and by multiple interest groups and Associations, each seeking benefits for themselves, another sort of feudal oligarchy.

“Given such a pernicious force at work in the current political system, it is unsurprising that the decisions produced are often grossly divorced from the needs of the electors, or even of the State itself.” – Carne Ross

The politician is a representative of the people of his constituency; he is a leader who enables the will of the people to be exercised in any decision or any legislation he is party to Understanding the continuity of policy or the effects of any change therein is gained by interacting with the concerned and hopefully well informed and well-intentioned Bureaucrats or even qualified professionals appointed into the Bureaucracy or as Advisors under contract for a fixed period. Hence, with the existence of a good Bureaucracy, professional or career politicians are not necessary. This of course calls for a good and effective Bureaucracy. (See -”Bureaucrats – Selection and Development”).

12.Term limits

In order to prevent such a situation, it is essential that term limits be laid down for politicians and no one be allowed more than a total of two consecutive terms in a particular elected body. Additional term/terms upto two, may be considered for those appointed as Cabinet Ministers for the full term. This will bring in fresh thinking and allow for a government more responsive to new challenges in the ever-changing context. It can be no one’s argument that no other capable persons are available in the population. Such term limits will also, serve to reduce the populistic inducements such professional politicians offer for votes.

“Politicians are like diapers; they need to be changed often and for the same reason” – Mark Twain

13.Perks and Privileges

Also, the idea of high salaries and ever more perks and privileges and pensions for politicians should be done away with. Group insurance schemes can take care of their health costs. A committee, of selected citizens and some ex-politicians and ex-bureaucrats, can be formed to lay down and regularly review, the scales for a reasonable salary and the costs of necessary facilities including accommodation, transport and support staff as may be necessary, at each level from Gramsabha / Municipal Ward to the State Legislature and even the Parliament. Pensions should not be allowed as the Politicians are expected to volunteer to serve out of a calling for Service and not with the aim for profit. Just the satisfaction of having served well should be good enough.

Those appointed as ministers or having a Cabinet Rank, may also have their remuneration, perks and privileges determined on a similar basis. This would serve to remove any temptation for covert misuse of Power.

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