20 March,2009 08:27 AM IST | | S Krishna Kumar
S Krishna Kumar says the Election Commission should be more stringent with politicians contesting elections
Elections are the flavour of the season. Political parties have started their campaign trail, but the Election Commission (EC) should keep the following factors in mind before issuing tickets to candidatesu2026u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
No candidate who is above 70 years of age should be allowed to contest. We've had enough leaders who are 80-plus and ailing. Let us have young and dynamic leaders in the fray.
No candidate should be allowed to contest from more than one constituency.
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No post-poll alliances between political parties should be permitted. Depending on the results, smaller parties make their choices. Such alliances lead to horse-trading and buying of elected representatives. Here's when the power of money comes into play.
If an MP during his last term in Parliament has not maintained minimum attendance, he should be disqualified and not be given the ticket to contest again, from any constituency.
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Lastly, no candidate who has a criminal record and cases pending against him should be allowed to contest any election.
Though there is provision for this in the constitution, it is often ignored and not followed even by the EC.u00a0
