A common practice observed by political parties on the eve of elections to the State Legislatures or Parliament in a democratic state is that they issue manifestos highlighting the main trends of their policy if they are returned to power. It is called election manifesto or poll manifesto, and a copy of the same is forwarded to the office of the Election Commission. The essence of a democracy is majority vote and all political parties try to win larger sections of society to their side and the ideology they want to pursue. Generally speaking, the purpose of election campaigns undertaken on the eve of elections is to inform, educate and convince the electorate on what the concerned political party would be doing if returned to power. The tasks they set forth for themselves usually have the main component of public welfare because this is what the common people are mostly interested in. In other words it means that the voters are expected to vote according to the type of service the party promises to render and the facilities which the party would be disposed to offer if returned to power.
But looking in retrospect on the nature and contours of election in our country, we find political parties have been deviating from the recognized principal of playing a fair game. They vie with one another in announcing freebies to the voters in their constituencies. A freebie is a free gift intended to serve as a sort of allurement or attraction for the voters. And politicians know fairly well what the immediate requirements of the voters are. Very often, freebies are attractive and alluring, and most of the people would not like to lose these. Being an illiterate lot or not being really interested in understanding what priority requirements of the locality or the constituency are, voters make themselves happy with the freebies and the candidate giving freebie happier with a vote in return.
The practice of political parties giving freebies on the eve of elections has come under severe criticism from the civil society. It says that such announcements tantamount to violating the election rules. Many a time prospective candidates and parties announce freebies that would result in imbalance to national interests. Things like the party would give just one rupee a kilo of rice for the poor or a free laptop to each student of the constituency, or other perks which national economy is unable to bear.
Realising that freebies violate the impartial and free elections, the Election Commission convened a meeting of various national and regional level parties to discuss the question of disallowing the parties the freedom of announcing freebies on the eve of elections. Interestingly except Bahujan Samaj Party, all other party representatives to the meeting opposed Election Commission’s perception of banning announcement of freebies. ‘But on the other hand, claiming that it is the right of parties to announce poll manifestos, the Congress, BJP and Left parties are on a common platform in opposing the EC move in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment asking the Commission to frame guidelines on poll manifestos to regulate freebies. It is noteworthy that two regional level parties namely Nagaland Peoples’ Front and Mizo National Front, besides BSP, expressed their support to banning freebies on the eve of elections. The ground situation is that in the light of the verdict of the Supreme Court, the Election Commission has to define the freebies and the areas of freebies that could come under a ban.
Political parties and the Election Commission have made their stand known on the issue. Major national mainstream parties have rejected the suggestion on the plea that it means restricting freedom of political parties. They further argue that political parties are well aware to what extent they can go in announcing freebies and no curbs should be imposed on them. How can a democratic system thrive if the political parties are disallowed from making public commitments in large gatherings?
However, there are many who would not buy this theory and this line of argument. In a multi-party system, what may be suitable for the electorate from the perception of one party may not necessarily be the perception of other parties? Democracy is a highly competitive political enterprise and in such situations there is likelihood of stakeholders going to any length, rational as well as irrational in a bid to woo more and more people. The fact is that our voters have to do more to come up to the standard where they can without error decide to vote for the right candidate. In rural India, the culture of caste, class and community considerations is still intact and wields enormous influence. People can be sensitized on any local issue because the rural India is essentially conservative. A political leader struggling for majoritarian vote in his constituency can go to any length of touching the sensitivity of his rural audience. In the process he can make unrestricted announcement of freebies which the unsuspecting masses area ready to buy. This is not a healthy trend and it will not help in bringing prosperity to the nation. The people have to be educated on the value of their vote.
We would appeal to the leadership of all national mainstream parties to keep the nation above their party. They must think in terms of the nation and not just the party that might be under focus. Announcing freebies on the eve of elections is a sign of poverty of confidence. People are sensible enough to evaluate each public functionary’s intentions and methods. Therefore the time of political gimmicking is gone and the era of harsh ground reality has emerged within our sight. Freebies are a corrupting method of sorts and people, by and large, dislike it. Let there be further discussion on this important subject on inter-party and intra-party basis and come to a unanimous decision. If an agreed formula is hammered out, it would be a historic decision that will strengthen our democratic system enormously.
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