The little things we can do, but won't
(May 04, 2004)

Making the post office the nodal agency for voter registration on a permanent basis with easy access to electoral rolls to all citizens in the locality is a simple citizen-friendly solution, argues Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan

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Elections and the crisis of legitimacy
(April 17, 2004)

Recent initiatives by Parliament on poll funding and defections indicate a welcome recognition of the need for reform. But much more needs to be done to change our electoral system, argues Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan.

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Jan -Feb-04

March-April -04

May-June-04

Choice, competition and politics
(April 02, 2004)

The principles of economic reforms apply to politics as well. A truly competitive economy cannot be sustained without competitive politics that offers the electorate a real choice, argues Dr.Jayaprakash Narayan.

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Squandered Oppurtunity
(March 19, 2004)

The recent enforcement of a ban on political advertisements on television raised some controversy. The Election Commission (EC) and the Union Government are busy throwing blame on each other for this ban. Irrespective of who is right, or wrong, this ban raises several fundamental questions about our democracy and nature of political campaigning. We need to address and resolve them speedily.

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The roots of Criminalised Politics
(March 05, 2004)

Why do parties admit and nominate criminals as candidates? Clearly, they perceive that the winning chances are enhanced by nominating them. The parties have not taken a vow to destroy India. They are only prepared to do whatever it takes to win the elections and once victorious, to retain power. But if public opinion is clearly against unsavoury candidates, parties will be forced to refrain from projecting politicians with criminal links. That is the clear message from the DP Yadav episode.

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