Right to Recall

Promises are made but are mostly not fulfilled. That is the picture of Indian democracy in the current era. The prominent factor that comes up alongside voting and filing nominations is the electoral promises made by the nominees. Based on these promises, we as voters decide to vote on a party or a particular candidate. But what happens when the promises are overlooked and never fulfilled? Should we not have the right to question? This is where the Right to Recall comes into play. Keep reading to understand what is Right to Recall, the advantages of the Right to Recall and its limitations, and the Judiciary’s take on the Right to Recall. 

The Backdrop of the Right

India is a large democratic country where several political parties exist. Elections are held regularly to select the right candidate. Common people expect free and fair polls and votes to elect the MPs and MLAs of the nation. The winner of the election is decided on a majority basis. The candidate often makes political promises to win over the voter’s confidence. Typically, these promises are supposed to be taken care of once the representative is elected and comes to power. However, this is not always the case. 

Often, it is seen that the promises were fake and only made to win the election. In such dissatisfaction with political representatives, no other option remains other than to wait for the next election. That is where the Right to Recall came into question. The Judiciary’s take on the Right to Recall policy would omit the possibility of false promises and claims and urge the ruling party to work towards turning the promises into effective development.

Defining the Right to Recall

As to the question of what is Right to Recall, it is the removal of the elected person before his term ends and calls for re-election. It means that if you do not agree with the performance of the selected person, then as a voter, you can show your dissatisfaction and recall to elect a new political leader in the concerned position of power.

‘Chunavi Jumla’ is used for the false claims and promises made during the election campaigns. The representative can be called back from his office on the unfulfillment of this jumla(s). The power to recall is primarily a tool to analyse and understand the performance of an elected person and, based on it, decide whether the person is fit for the position. The Judiciary’s take on the Right to Recall policy states this tool can prevent election candidates from winning voters’ confidence over false promises.

The Advantages of the Right to Recall

• This right empowers the authority to conclude the elected person or party’s commitment to the promises. 

• The recall policies are designed to limit the chances of criminals entering politics. 

• Understanding what is Right to Recall is and its implementation is particularly necessary besides the right to vote.

• The recall procedure also controls the monetary expenditure made by the candidate during elections. 

• The right will instill a fear of dismissal among the candidates if the electoral promises are not met.

• The election system was invented to establish democracy. The Right to Recall policies attains a free and fair voting system propagating the true essence of democracy.

The Limitations of the Right to Recall

• The tenure of the elected representative would remain uncertain, resulting in difficulties in making a public welfare plan and its execution. 

• The opposition would try to take advantage of what is the Right to Recall policy. The opposition member might raise a ruckus even on the slightest issue from the elected person or party.  

• There would be constant political tension between the ruling and opposition party. This will make the elected party ever busy trying to retain their position of power rather than working towards actual development.

• It cannot restrict the expenditure of large sums of money to please the voters. 

• In case of re-election regulated by the policy, it would lead to an additional burden on the Election Commission.

• A constant pressure would work on the elected person interfering with his performance. 

• There is no guarantee that the policy will not be misused. On the contrary, the stakes behind it are high.

The Judiciary’s Take on the Right to Recall 

Though there has been a widespread demand for the right to re-elect, the judiciary system has a different take on it. The Judiciary’s take on the Right to Recall points out that the Supreme Court is critical in executing the policy. Allahabad Court has advised in making a stricter approach to the system by putting the provision to remove the representative. This is in the interest of justice and fair election. 

Conclusion

The priority is to analyse whether the policy is easily comprehended by the common masses before what is Right to Recall is brought into action. If it is not clear enough, voters might be misguided again. The people must be properly educated on the right to ask for it for the right reasons in the future.Currently in India there is no right available for citizens to recall their representatives.