Elders want exit door for opinion polls and surveys
Members cutting across party lines on Friday demanded a ban on exit polls and pre-poll surveys by electronic media.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Members cutting across party lines on Friday demanded a ban on exit polls and pre-poll surveys by electronic media.
During the discussion on private members’ bill on the issue in the Rajya Sabha, two members — Rajniti Singh (RJD) and Shanta Ram Naik (Cong) — also sought uniform norms to be fixed for enforcing the code of conduct during the elections.
Mr Singh said when the right of voting is given to us “it is our duty to vote”. He said there should be a law to stop pre-poll surveys as it affects the mind of voters. Pointing out that voting percentage has not increased despite procedures of the Election Commission; Kalraj Mishra (BJP) said some mechanism has to be evolved so that everyone votes.
Mr Mishra said there should be constitutional provision to make voting compulsory. He favoured ban on pre-poll surveys as it has a negative bearing on the electorate.
Ramdev Bhandari of the RJD was of the view that opinion polls are most of the time “sponsored” by some political party and sought a ban on such surveys saying they influence voters.
“There are some voters who make up their mind at the last minute. We call them borderline voters. Such opinion polls influence them,” he said. He added that even if opinion polls are allowed, it should be made compulsory that the results of the surveys are announced after completion of voting. On making voting compulsory, Mr Bhandari said such a move would not be practical in a democratic country like India and favoured a democratic way to ensure maximum polling.
Congress’ Rashid Alvi urged the law minister to amend the law to make voting compulsory, saying it was the responsibility of every citizen to exercise their franchise. He also suggested some kind of penalty for those who fail to cast their vote, like stripping of their fundamental rights or one-month imprisonment.
Opposing introduction of compulsory voting, N Jothi (AIADMK) said a provision in the bill says that people would be put in jail if they do not vote. Sharad Joshi (Swatantra Bharat Paksha) said every time something is enforced, there is an additional burden on police machinery.
On the prohibition on pre-poll surveys and exit polls, he said people cannot be stopped from gathering information, but publication of the surveys should be prohibited.
Supporting Compulsory Voting and Prohibition of Pre-poll Survey and Exit Poll of Election Bill, 2004, DMK leader R Shunmugasundaram said the system is prevalent in Singapore but we need to strengthen the infrastructure facilities to make it successful here.
About the prohibition of the pre-poll survey, he said on several occasions predictions have gone wrong because of the improper sampling and absence of the involvement of experts in the survey.
Manohar Joshi, the Shiv Sena leader said though every citizen is entitled to vote, not many cast their franchise. Some people are casual about elections but the issue is very important and government should consider it seriously.
However, Mr Joshi pointed out that elections are becoming a costly affair and the Election Commission should do something to curb the huge expenditure incurred on elections.
Congress leader Radhakant Nayak said representative character should be reflected on voting system. There are so many linguistic and ethnic groups which are still not represented in the government.
Dharampal Sabharwal, Congress, said, elections are becoming a big gamble. Votes are bought to win the elections. Steps should be taken to prevent it. However, he said the survey business should be banned as it influences the voters.
During the discussion on private members’ bill on the issue in the Rajya Sabha, two members — Rajniti Singh (RJD) and Shanta Ram Naik (Cong) — also sought uniform norms to be fixed for enforcing the code of conduct during the elections.
Mr Singh said when the right of voting is given to us “it is our duty to vote”. He said there should be a law to stop pre-poll surveys as it affects the mind of voters. Pointing out that voting percentage has not increased despite procedures of the Election Commission; Kalraj Mishra (BJP) said some mechanism has to be evolved so that everyone votes.
Mr Mishra said there should be constitutional provision to make voting compulsory. He favoured ban on pre-poll surveys as it has a negative bearing on the electorate.
Ramdev Bhandari of the RJD was of the view that opinion polls are most of the time “sponsored” by some political party and sought a ban on such surveys saying they influence voters.
“There are some voters who make up their mind at the last minute. We call them borderline voters. Such opinion polls influence them,” he said. He added that even if opinion polls are allowed, it should be made compulsory that the results of the surveys are announced after completion of voting. On making voting compulsory, Mr Bhandari said such a move would not be practical in a democratic country like India and favoured a democratic way to ensure maximum polling.
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Congress’ Rashid Alvi urged the law minister to amend the law to make voting compulsory, saying it was the responsibility of every citizen to exercise their franchise. He also suggested some kind of penalty for those who fail to cast their vote, like stripping of their fundamental rights or one-month imprisonment.
Opposing introduction of compulsory voting, N Jothi (AIADMK) said a provision in the bill says that people would be put in jail if they do not vote. Sharad Joshi (Swatantra Bharat Paksha) said every time something is enforced, there is an additional burden on police machinery.
On the prohibition on pre-poll surveys and exit polls, he said people cannot be stopped from gathering information, but publication of the surveys should be prohibited.
Supporting Compulsory Voting and Prohibition of Pre-poll Survey and Exit Poll of Election Bill, 2004, DMK leader R Shunmugasundaram said the system is prevalent in Singapore but we need to strengthen the infrastructure facilities to make it successful here.
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About the prohibition of the pre-poll survey, he said on several occasions predictions have gone wrong because of the improper sampling and absence of the involvement of experts in the survey.
Manohar Joshi, the Shiv Sena leader said though every citizen is entitled to vote, not many cast their franchise. Some people are casual about elections but the issue is very important and government should consider it seriously.
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However, Mr Joshi pointed out that elections are becoming a costly affair and the Election Commission should do something to curb the huge expenditure incurred on elections.
Congress leader Radhakant Nayak said representative character should be reflected on voting system. There are so many linguistic and ethnic groups which are still not represented in the government.
Dharampal Sabharwal, Congress, said, elections are becoming a big gamble. Votes are bought to win the elections. Steps should be taken to prevent it. However, he said the survey business should be banned as it influences the voters.
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