RE: [Goanet]BEYOND MENDING

[Nasci Caldeira]

Hi goanet readers,
I have some useful suggestions, to make with regards to defections etc.
From: "**** GoA-WorlD.CoM ****" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [Goanet]BEYOND MENDING
Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 23:21:36 -0500
BEYOND MENDING
Nasci says: All of the grey areas in the law, must be addressed quickly and 
reformed' to act as a severe deterrant.

The 10th schedule of the Constitution, referred to in the new law, is
categorical on two things. First, it says that an elected member of 
parliament
or a state assembly will be disqualified if he or she defies the whip of 
the
party on a vote or abstains from it. Second, the members who are elected as
independents will be disqualified if they join any political party after 
the
election.

Nasci says:
Those disqualified in either of these cases must suffer a minimum of six 
months in jail; and then they must be banned from contesting any elections 
for seven years (from the date of disqualification) and from holding any 
publicly funded office, for a further period of ten years.

Also, the disqualification of an errant member must not be postponed too 
long
so that it becomes ineffective. In case the speakers themselves violate the
law, it could be a good idea to give the Election Commission the power over
such disqualifications.
Nasci agrees:
The Election Commission should have the power to decide all cases of 
disqualification and that too within two working days of application. The 
Speaker's powers should be curbed and democratised as need be, to prevent 
chaos in the legislatures.

Nasci Caldeira
Melbourne