ADR Speaks

ADR organised a webinar on "Institutional Laxity towards Increasing Criminality in Indian Legislature" on 25th October 2021. Focus points: 1. Discussion (esp. highlighting the key findings) on ADR's report on "Analysis of MPs/MLAs who have declared criminal cases where the charges have been framed under Section 8(1) (2) & (3) of the R.P Act,1951" 2. Why are candidates against whom ‘charges have been framed by the court’ for committing serious criminal offences punishable by imprisonment of at least 5 years, and the case is filed at least 6 months prior to the election in question not disqualified? 3. Why institutions are failing to permanently disqualify elected representatives with heinous crimes such as rape, murder, dacoity etc? 4. How to curb the increasing criminality in Indian politics? 5. Why are political parties disregarding the Supreme Court's orders? 6. Why do political parties give tickets to candidates with criminal cases especially with serious criminal cases? 7. Why do voters vote for candidates with criminal cases against themselves? How to reverse this trend? 8. ADR's recommendations

This is Part 1 of the audio extracted from the webinar. Link

This podcast has been extracted from the webinar organised by ADR on "Women Representation in Electoral Politics: A lack of political will?" on 8th March 2021.

Following are the focus points of the panel discussion: 1. Lack of desired women participation/representation in electoral politics 2. Unique entry barriers to female political participation 3. Allotment of tickets to women candidates with non-dynastic background vs dynastic women candidates/those with muscle or money power 4. Media portrayal of female political participation

To watch the webinar, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcYrSHrvbEs.

In this episode, which is twenty-fourth in the podcast series launched by ADR, we look at the total income and expenditure incurred, all over India, by the National Parties during FY 2019-20, as declared by the parties in their audit reports available on the ECI website. Of the total 8 National Parties, six parties submitted their audit reports on time, as per the extended deadline of 30th June 2021, while BJP delayed its submission by 21 days; the audit report of National People’s Party is not available in the public domain at the time of recording of this episode. Every year several registered political parties default and delay the submission of their annual reports to ECI beyond the prescribed due date. These include National, Regional and Unrecognised parties. Except for sending reminder letters, it is not clear whether any action is taken against such parties by ECI or if there is any withdrawal of tax exemption by the CBDT of such parties.

The second episode of ADR's podcast series discusses money and muscle power in Indian elections. It provides key findings of ADR's analysis of election results spanning across several years, which helps in a better understanding of the rising prominence of crorepati winners, and election of MPs and MLAs with declared criminal cases.

Note: Please send us your feedback, comments, and suggestions. You can reach us at [email protected]. To listen to the Hindi version of this episode click here

ADR organised a webinar on "Institutional Laxity towards Increasing Criminality in Indian Legislature" on 25th October 2021. Focus points: 1. Discussion (esp. highlighting the key findings) on ADR's report on "Analysis of MPs/MLAs who have declared criminal cases where the charges have been framed under Section 8(1) (2) & (3) of the R.P Act,1951" 2. Why are candidates against whom ‘charges have been framed by the court’ for committing serious criminal offences punishable by imprisonment of at least 5 years, and the case is filed at least 6 months prior to the election in question not disqualified? 3. Why institutions are failing to permanently disqualify elected representatives with heinous crimes such as rape, murder, dacoity etc? 4. How to curb the increasing criminality in Indian politics? 5. Why are political parties disregarding the Supreme Court's orders? 6. Why do political parties give tickets to candidates with criminal cases especially with serious criminal cases? 7. Why do voters vote for candidates with criminal cases against themselves? How to reverse this trend? 8. ADR's recommendations

This is Part 1 of the audio extracted from the webinar. Link