With Goa scheduled to elect its 40 new MLAs in less than a month from now, the election fever will heighten over the next few days. In the last couple of decades, there have been many progressive changes in the manner in which polls were held, more particularly in the way the election campaign is conducted. But a lot more remains to be done to ensure free and fair polls. Restoring the independence and autonomy of the Election Commission is crucial. Plugging the loopholes in the anti-defection law is also vital and must be done with no further delay. There has to be zero tolerance to defections. This is the very essence of a democratic process. The ghastly spectacle of those elected pursuing the agenda of their vested motives must come to an end. Betrayal of people’s mandate by merrily switching parties in the lust for power and financial greed must be summarily punished.
