Why not mandate medical certificates for contesting polls?: Justice N Kirubakaran
Chennai: When it is mandatory to submit a medical fitness certificate before taking up job in the government — be it the post of a clerk or a judge —why shouldn’t we require our lawmakers too to do likewise, asked Justice N. Kirubakaran while hearing a petition seeking a directive for making it compulsory for those contesting local body elections to append their medical fitness certificates along with their nomination papers.
Pointing out India has a population of 130 crore, Justice Kirubakaran said opportunities should be made available to all for contesting elections and guide the administration, instead of restricting politics to just a few families.
As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, while film stars had dominated the political scene from the mid-60s-and leaders like M. Karunanidhi, MGR and Jayalalithaa came to power riding on huge public support-times have now changed and there is no such public craving for movie actors becoming their political leaders, the judge said.
He said the Election Commission should seriously consider laying a condition that anyone wanting to register a new political party should obtain signatures from one lakh voters along with his application for registration at the EC. "This will ensure that only good people will be able to form new parties. Even criminals and goondas are now floating parties", Justice Kirubakaran said.
He said the EC should continue to bring new reforms "just as T.N.Seshan had done during his term" as the Chief Election Commissioner.
Additional Solicitor General Rajagopalan, who was present for the case, sought 10 days time for getting the Centre's view on the issue. Upon this, the Judge posted the matter to July 6.
