Article Link: Should
Convicts be barred for life from polls? SC seeks Centre & EC replies
Extract from the Article:
The Supreme Court (SC) has requested responses
from the Centre, Election Commission (EC), and others regarding the rationale
behind allowing convicted criminals to participate in elections six years after
serving their sentences.
This move reflects the court's scrutiny of the
constitutional validity of certain sections within the Representation of the
People (RP) Act. The SC's questioning of this practice underscores a critical
examination of the eligibility criteria for individuals seeking to contest
elections in India.
My Take:
Not So Supreme Court?
In my previous blog post titled "A Not So
Supreme Court?" from March 2017, I highlighted the Election Commission's
advocacy for establishing special courts to address criminal cases involving
lawmakers.
The proposal aimed to expedite legal proceedings
against elected representatives, ensuring swift justice. Drawing parallels to
the current scenario where the SC is revisiting the eligibility of convicted
individuals to contest elections, the need for efficient legal mechanisms, as
proposed earlier, becomes even more apparent.
The emphasis on expediting justice and ensuring
the integrity of the electoral process aligns with the recent SC's actions,
indicating a long-standing concern for transparency and accountability in
governance.
Supreme Proposes: Can
e-Courts Dispose?
In September 2020, I discussed the Supreme
Court's contemplation of imposing a lifetime ban on convicted politicians from
participating in elections.
This proposition resonates with the current
scenario where the SC is probing the six-year post-sentence waiting period for
convicts to enter the electoral fray. The idea of safeguarding the electoral
system from individuals with criminal backgrounds remains a persistent concern.
The call for stringent measures to uphold the
sanctity of elections, evident in the SC's recent stance, echoes the proactive
approach advocated earlier concerning the need for transparency and ethical
standards in politics.
Call to Action:
To the Supreme Court, Centre, and Election
Commission, I urge prompt and thorough consideration of the implications of
allowing convicted criminals to contest elections.
It is essential to prioritize the integrity of
the electoral process and uphold the public's trust. Implementing measures to
enhance transparency and accountability will safeguard the democratic values on
which our nation stands.
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
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