The Supreme Court of India has made some landmark orders concerning the much-debated issue of election freebies, and a petition claims that “FREEBIES” given during elections are “BRIBES” to the electorate. The SC bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued notices to the Centre and the Election Commission of India (ECI) on October 15, bringing up this very issue.
The petition, filed by Bengaluru resident Shashank J Sreedhara, says that uncontrolled promises of freebies place a heavy burden on the public exchequer and would cause long-term damage to India’s economy. It also raises the question of whether the pattern of giving “FREEBIES” during an election has turned into “BRIBES” which influence the deciding minds. Thus, it is contaminating the tenor of electoral competition.
“FREEBIES” given during elections are “BRIBES” because they force people to vote
An appeal has been made before this court by the petitioner to mandamus the ECI to prevent political parties from promising irrational pre-poll freebies. Political entities are deigning to peddle “FREEBIES” during the election period as “BRIBES” so that undone favour from voters can be restored and the present system has been working in a way that undermines and threatens the democratic process. The petitioner also maintains that no machinery exists to see to the fulfilment of those promises made during such campaigns and elections. It is another reason for compromising the transparency of the election campaign.
This petition has been tagged along with other similar cases questioning the role of freebies in elections. This petition read together with senior advocate Vijay Hansaria and PIL petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay raises the question that populist measures pegged as ‘FREEBIES” given during election are “BRIBES” to influence voters. It is being presented as an infraction of the Indian Constitution, especially upon equality and purity of the electoral process.
The practice violates democratic principles and should be stopped, says the court
Political parties distort a level-playing field by giving “FREEBIES” during elections as “BRIBES.” The petitioner urges the said practice violates democratic principles and must be checked at its very roots by taking effective deterrent steps on this behalf. The petition also seeks to see to it that the political parties are prevented from giving irrational freebies from public funds before elections. For this purpose, an amendment to the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order of 1968 is sought in the prayer clause.
Probably, the challenge of “FREEBIES” doled out during elections as “BRIBES” would carry much more meaning in undermining the Indian democratic structure. Perhaps, new electoral reforms and a form of campaign practice would be presented as the judiciary rules on this issue across the nation.
Also, see: Congress in Haryana elections had different numbers of votes on TV than in real – Pawan Khera
