Question

How can parties be reformed?

Answer 1

• Income tax returns have to be filed by political parties and organisation elections have to be conducted as per orders passed by the Election Commission of India.
• Every candidate who contests elections has to give AFFIDAVIT providing details of criminal cases pending against him and details of his properties. This has been made mandatory due to the orders passed by the Supreme Court of India. This order was to keep a check on criminals and money power.
• Due to the above mentioned order of the Supreme Court, citizens have information in the public domain. However, there is no system to cross check the information given by contesting candidates.
• To keep a check on the Defection by elected Members of Parliament (MP) or Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) who defected for cash rewards or reward of ministry; Constitution was amended to prevent elected MP’s and MLA’s from changing parties. If they do, they will lose their seats in the Legislature.
• To regulate the internal affairs of political parties, a law must be framed so that elections will be held within the party to fill the highest positions in the party. If there are disputes in the party, an independent authority must be appointed, there needs to be a registry of members of the political parties.