AN UNDOCUMENTED WONDER : The Making of the Great Indian Elections

by S.Y. Quraishi

Let me explain how this could be implemented. In the General Elections 2009, the total number of votes cast was 42 crores ($6.7 million approx.). Even if we discount the independents and presume that all these votes went to candidates of political parties, at the rate of 100 per vote, the total amount of state funding would come to 4,200 crores. Taking into account the state elections, bye-elections and mid term polls, the figure will double. With increasing voter strength and turnout the subsidy could go up to say 10,000 crores in five years. This roughly corresponds to the funds they (reportedly) collectively raise in five years through all kind of means, including dubious ones! The collection of money from corporates and anonymous donors will then be completely banned. The subsidy would be a small price to pay for bringing transparency to our political system, and free it from dependency on corporate and tainted funds and restore the dignity of our political parties and our democracy. The system may be freed from crony capitalism and backseat driving of government by big corporates and dubious financiers. Even the negative image of corporates will be salvaged.