Give teeth to the Election Commission !

So much for the huge TV advertising exhorting people to go and exercise their franchise! Although a damp squib at the end of the day, it was not unexpected. Probably it tells a story in itself. Briefly, the audience does not hold the filmy sitarey in any high esteem. They lacked credibility. Audience felt that they did it as yet another commercial advertisement. Yes. That is what I look at it. And they did not feel the need to respond to commercials. Lesson learnt is that the next time, we wish to bring about any change in the aam aadmi, then let it be though people who are loaded with credibility. A Dr.Zakir Naik, Shri Shri Ravi Shankar or a swami Ramdev would bring better results.
Voting percentage being nominal speaks volumes about the apathy that has crept in our society. People could not see any change coming in even if they had gone and voted. Hence, the less than warm response. I believe that the Election Commission has a bigger role to play than what it does today. From a mere admonishing or an advisory role, the commission needs to be given plenty of teeth. They need to be seen as those who can bite..not just bark. The bite needs to be strong and potent. The Politician has a skin of a Hippopotamus and average teeth will elicit no response. Hence, the need for Dracula type incisors and canines. Give the EC more powers. Powers to stop one from contesting. Powers to ensure discipline throughout the election period. Perhaps even later.
The aam aadmi has lost faith in the politician. And this leads to loss of faith in the electoral system. I read in Hindu newspaper that names of minority community voters were missing in various parts of Bengaluru. Hundreds of voters could not vote since their names were not there. This inspite of the fact that they had legitimate identification papers to prove. Quite a pity that when such incidents happen, the faith in the electoral process takes a dive. And such acts of omissions and commissions are spread all over the nation.
The future of the nation appears hazy. I feel that our democracy can be really vibrant only if the processes are reviewed. A clarity in our national future can be achieved only if objectivity is practiced without any fear. EC needs to formulate rules and regulations that ensures weeding out of the unwanted, criminal from entering the public system. Crafty hate spreaders , slimy business sharks, double faced slithery politicians should be knocked down with a swift and a powerful blow.
How about introducing the concept of community service for the contenders? One can be eligible for elections only if one has put in a minimum period in community service. Like when one joins an elite business group, one starts as a trainee. Our politicians should serve as trainees during which they do community service. Five years and then being eligible for elections. For contesting the Parliamentary elections, one has to be at least a graduate. Then, ministers should have excellent academic records to prove ones potential. One cannot be considered for the post of a minister unless he averages 70% overall. Management Institutes have a minimum cut off marks for candidates. Follow the same for appointing ministers . Why not? Managers run a company; these politicians run the entire nation. We need the best who can manage the nation effectively. And yes, total transparency should be maintained.