A
former Chief Election Commissioner joined a political party and
contested elections. There are various views on this issue. One view
is that a former Election Commissioner is an independent citizen and
has a right to join any political party and to contest election.
According to the other view, leaving this possibility open can affect
the impartiality of the Election Commission. So, former Election
Commissioners must not be allowed to contest any elections. Which
position do you agree with and why?
A former Chief Election Commissioner joined a political party and contested elections. There are various views on this issue. One view is that a former Election Commissioner is an independent citizen and has a right to join any political party and to contest election. According to the other view, leaving this possibility open can affect the impartiality of the Election Commission. So, former Election Commissioners must not be allowed to contest any elections. Which position do you agree with and why?
Any
answer supported with argument or explanation would solve the
purpose. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the
solution on your own. However, one sample solution has been
provided for your reference:
The
Election Commissioners should not contest elections after they leave
office. This is because the Election Commission is a constitutional
body that requires the highest standards of integrity to ensure
impartiality in its conduct. The task of the Election Commissioner is
to impartially supervise and safeguard the conduct of elections and
not become a part of the electoral process.
Any
future prospect of the involvement of a statutory official like the
Election Commissioner in electoral politics would seriously
compromise the integrity and impartiality of the one institution that
is the cornerstone of democratic convention in the country. This
practice would set a precedent that would erode the credibility of
the Election Commission and render it liable to charges of bias in
its conduct of elections. Such a situation would be unhealthy for the
polity in the long term as it would be exposed to electoral
malpractices at the highest levels. This precedent would constitute a
real danger of reducing elections to a shambolic exercise that would
be hostage to the temptation of office for the Election Commissioners
at a future date.
Any answer supported with argument or explanation would solve the purpose. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, one sample solution has been provided for your reference:
The Election Commissioners should not contest elections after they leave office. This is because the Election Commission is a constitutional body that requires the highest standards of integrity to ensure impartiality in its conduct. The task of the Election Commissioner is to impartially supervise and safeguard the conduct of elections and not become a part of the electoral process.
Any future prospect of the involvement of a statutory official like the Election Commissioner in electoral politics would seriously compromise the integrity and impartiality of the one institution that is the cornerstone of democratic convention in the country. This practice would set a precedent that would erode the credibility of the Election Commission and render it liable to charges of bias in its conduct of elections. Such a situation would be unhealthy for the polity in the long term as it would be exposed to electoral malpractices at the highest levels. This precedent would constitute a real danger of reducing elections to a shambolic exercise that would be hostage to the temptation of office for the Election Commissioners at a future date.
