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The right to recall is a much-needed step to deepen democracy in India. Critically discuss.

Approach:

• Introduce the answer by explaining what the Right to Recall is.
• Discuss whether the right to recall would deepen democracy in India.
• Also discuss how it might undermine democracy in India.
• Conclude your answer based on the above points.

Answer:

Recall is the name given to an instrument by which a specified number of citizens can demand a vote of the electorate on whether an elected representative should be removed from office. Thus, the Right to Recall gives the right to the electorate to ‘de-elect’ the representative from the legislature before the expiry of their usual term.

Right to recall has been suggested as an important way to deepen democracy for the following reasons:

• It would provide voters with the continued opportunity to make a democratic decision about who governs them, since they would not have only one opportunity every three to five years.
• The elected representatives would be more responsive to the needs of the electorate owing to the increased probability of being recalled due to the dissatisfaction among the public.
• It would ensure that the elections are fought and won not on the basis of an over ambitious and ill-conceived election manifesto, thereby enabling better decision making on part of the electorate.
• It may usher in efficiency in parliamentary proceedings with focus on real issues and regular visits by elected representatives to their constituency to stay updated with the aspirations of the people.

However, opponents of right to recall argue that it may undermine democracy due to the following reasons:

• It may force the representatives to succumb to the populist pressure which goes against the fact that in Indian democracy, MPs and MLAs need to rise above narrow interests.
• It may also be abused by influential groups to cause instability of the government. Moreover, there would be an increased probability of exploiting societal fault lines like caste, sub-caste, religion and sect for electoral gain, thereby undermining the very essence of Indian democracy.
• Currently, this right exists at local level bodies in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh and it has revealed many functional problems – arbitrary ground for recall, inclusion of voters who did not vote in the elections etc. – which ultimately hampers democracy.
• By recalling/rejecting the candidates and having another election may cause increased election expenditure, election fatigue & lower voter turnout.

Thus, the right to recall needs to be adopted with caution. Further, there are various neglected ‘pre-election’ measures already in existence which aim to achieve the same purpose. For example – provisions relating to disqualification and expulsion of members etc. Efforts must be made to implement these well to realize the cherished goal of ‘good governance’.