Recall Elections Are Better Than a Strong Jan Lokpal Bill

“A recall election (also called a recall referendum or representative recall) is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote (plebiscite), initiated when sufficient voters sign a petition. Recall has a history dating back to the ancient Athenian democracy and is a feature of several contemporary constitutions.” – Wikipedia

If there is a country which desperately needs a process to “unelect” sitting members of legislatures, it is India. Once elected, until fresh elections are called, our representatives cannot be removed from the legislature even if voters are unhappy with their performance. This, despite the fact that we have a hoary tradition here of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats. As someone who elects a representative to the legislature, I want the ability to fire that person if they are corrupt, inept or unable to perform their duties. I do not believe that it is fair for voters to deal with non-performance of an elected representative for five years.

Several constitutions across the world have a recall process. This Wikipedia article is a good overview of the process that other countries have adopted.

When frustration runs high about the government, we should be able to recall it rather than have to go on hunger strike. Anna Hazare shouldn’t just have to starve himself. He should be able to launch a movement that dethrones the government. In as raucous a democracy as India, anyone who can mobilize popular support should be able to use a well defined constitutional process that sends a government home.

In theory, that possibility exists even today. The opposition can ask for a trust vote in the government. But it is done only on the floor of the legislature. As demonstrated in the Cash for Votes scandal, our legislature cannot be trusted to put the peoples’ will above their own benefit. So a more democratic way to unelect the government should be in place.

Anna Hazare wants a strong Lokpal. I am not sure if the bill in itself will eradicate corruption. The current agitation for a strong Lokpal bill is an expression of the frustration against a government widely perceived to be the most corrupt in India. Out of frustration the pros and cons of the strong Lokpal bill are not being debated among the supporters of Anna Hazare.  Having said all this, I have to concede that the Lokpal’s ability to punish the corrupt may be important.  But the common man’s frustration is better addressed through a recall process rather than a potentially dysfunctional, definitely omnipotent ombudsman.