The cost of a vote

2nd May 2009

We are the largest democracy in the world but are our government really by the people and for the people. With the government completely ignoring the needs of an average citizen, it definitely is not "for" the people and with only 41% people voting, it certainly is not by the people either.

The other day I heard a conversation in a train that the current price of a vote is 3 and a half grand. When I discussed this in the office, one guy told me his group of some 30 odd boys was paid 25 grand for their votes in the last election. It is estimated that around 10% of the votes are bought or are bogus (where people cast multiple votes under different names). This leaves only about 30% legitimate votes in Bombay which makes me uncomfortable saying this is a government by the people.