My colleague Doug Johnson forwarded me a Mint article that really caught my attention. According to a Centre for Media Studies (CMS) study, in the last decade at least one-fifth of eligible voters have been paid cash by politicians. Moreover, the numbers rise to about 37% for below the poverty line (BPL) voters. These percentages do not include other material inducements, such as liquor or material products given out during election campaigns.
According to the chairman of CMS, N. Bhaskar Rao (as quoted in this Mint article), “The bribe money varies from state to state. It may be Rs 100-150 (a voter) in some states and it can go up to Rs 1000 in some constituencies.”
I may be naïve, but personally I find these numbers quite staggering. In some states, over 50% of BPL voters are bribed with cash, and in Andhra Pradesh 94% are bribed. According to the study, here in Tamil Nadu about 34% of all voters are paid cash, with 78% of the BPL voters being bribed (check out this map for specific state numbers).
As to the study’s methodology, I am not sure whether it’s very sound, which the Mint article describes, and I quote below:
“Explaining the methodology for the study, Rao said CMS used a perception, experience and estimation method to arrive at its conclusions. ‘Not many will admit they have been bribed to cast their vote,’ he said. ‘But, in confidence, they would let you know if they knew someone who has taken money.’”
Though the methodology does not seem too scientific, the percentage of voters given bribes brings a couple thoughts to mind. First of all, I am surprised leading candidates and parties are actually able to reach so many prospective voters. In a way, parties are connecting with a significant number of the electorate.
On a more serious note, if levels of corruption are as high as this study claims, or anywhere near it, how does this affect government efficiency and operations? Are state governments (and the national govt.) being evaluated for performance, or on how much money they give prospective voters?
1 comments:
hi...it's really a think that is bothering me for some yrs. Right now myself a 1st yr student of development finance at IFMR. It's not the poor people who are bribed alone. Bribing has become an integral part of India democracy. To give u an example, in my university student elections even the highly meritorious and well off students expect to be bribed. In my view people take bribe,but vote for the person they think best. In last assembly election in my constituency in orissa, a former chief minister was contesting and spent crores of rupess on bribing, but ultimately lost to a deserving candidate. so ur concern is right about bribing but in my view it doesn't affect the outcome much if people are sure about the credibility of candidate. Bribing influence the outcome only when people perceives both candidate to be of same caliber.
Binit Rath
IFMR, PGDM-DSF
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