Bar tainted politicians from Elections
By Noel D'Oliveiro


To bring some semblance of sanity to the election process radical steps must be taken to stop tainted politicians from standing in elections. Political parties should also avoid giving tickets to such politicians.
Also, only deterrent measures taken by Parliament can stop tainted politicians from the elections process.
Parliament can enact a law to prevent candidates from contesting elections if they have ever been involved in some criminal activity; or a criminal case is registered against them; or have been held guilty by a court of law; or are faced with legal proceedings.
The Election Commission should also keep a tab on such people. So far nothing has been done to check tainted people from entering politics.
Then again we need to educate the electorate. It is their moral responsibility not to vote for such candidates. Sad to say this is not so, even among the so called educated.
Clean, transparent and just administration is impossible as long as there are criminals and corrupt elements in politics.
We can keep tainted politicians away from elections only by educating the masses.
This can only be achieved by inculcating in our youth, the future voters, the awareness about electing right leaders with high moral standing.