A seminar titled “75 Years of the Indian Constitution: Milestones and Challenges” was held at Arulmigu Palaniandavar College of Arts and Culture in Palani, presided over by the college principal, T. Ravishankar.
Dr. V. Ramaraj, a member of the Tamil Nadu Lokayukta, who delivered a special address at the seminar, stated that in the last 75 years, 106 amendments have been made to the Indian Constitution. Due to its flexible nature, the Indian Constitution continues to evolve. Protecting the constitution of every country is the essence of democracy. About 125 years ago, when monarchies were gradually disappearing and democracies were emerging in many countries, a separate field of study for political science was created. Currently, with most countries in the world following a democratic system, the study and research of votes, voters, and elections, which form the foundation of democracy, is collectively called Voterology. The study of votes, voters, and elections still remains a sub-discipline within political science. It is the duty of the people to ensure and protect the autonomous functioning of the election conducting bodies in every country. Voterology is essential to eliminate voter ignorance, empower voters, and eradicate corruption and authoritarianism in voting, voters, and elections. V. Ramaraj emphasized that the constitution can only be protected through free and fair elections.
Dr.V.Ramaraj has coined the term Voterology and Voterologism, defined the framework and its ten principles. Since 1996, Ramaraj has been advocating Voterology for its establishment as a separate field of study. It is highly suitable that he was awarded the title of “Father of Voterology” by the voluntary organizations that participated in the National Voters’ Awareness Movement conducted by the Election Commission in 2000. Like the renowned western political philosophies and Indian political thoughts, the Voterology principles developed by Dr. V. Ramaraj, who was born in Kankkanpatti village near Palani, have now become a topic of discussion worldwide. Speaking at a seminar, State Information Commissioner V.P.R.Eambarithi expressed confidence that his Voterology would soon be recognized and included as a subject in universities around the world.
The first principle of Voterology is that the vote is the supreme power in a democracy, and that the central idea of voterologism is ‘”Voters above all else”. Voting, voters, and elections are the three equal dimensions of democratic systems. The second principle of Voterology states that Vote, voter, and elections are three equal dimensions of democratic institutions, and these values are required to determine the standard of a democratic institution. Voter ignorance, corruption, and authoritarianism are forces that pose a threat to the three dimensions of democratic institutions. The third principle of Voterology states that those who seize power using ignorance, corruption, and authoritarianism without any policy and action plan will not establish a government for the welfare of the people. V.P.R. Elambarithi stated that these principles will help strengthen democracy and protect the constitution.
The fourth principle of Voterology is that electoral institutions should be recognized as the fourth pillar of democracy, alongside the parliament, government, and judiciary. Similar to the Election Commission that conducts elections, a commission to protect voters’ rights, raise awareness among voters, and empower them, and election tribunals to quickly resolve election cases should be autonomous bodies. The fifth principle of Voterology is that Voterology is a path that leads to good governance and world peace and citizens have a collective responsibility to eradicate corruption from the pillars of vote, voters, and elections. The sixth principle of Voterology is that the United Nations should create international laws on Voterology. State Information Commissioner M. Natesan spoke, stating that these principles can overcome the challenges faced by the constitution.
Psephology is the branch of study concerned with statistical and sociological analyses of elections and voting. Voterology is the effort to protect votes, voters, and elections, and thereby safeguard democratic systems. The seventh principle of Voterology is that Voterologism is the dissemination of Voterology principles. Jayasudha, a member of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, emphasized in her seminar speech that we should protect the constitution by teaching Voterology education to children.
About Dr.V.Ramaraj:
Hon’ble Dr V. Ramaraj born on 05.05.1968 at Kankkanpatti village, near Palani, Dindigul district. He is holding doctorate in Administration of Justice and a research degree in Police Administration. He is post graduate in Constitutional and International law, Labour and administrative law, Police Administration, Human Rights, Criminology and Police Science, International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration and Journalism and Mass Communication. Further, he obtained post graduate diplomas in Criminal Justice, Child Rights and Protection and Journalism.
Hon’ble Dr V. Ramaraj enrolled as advocate on 09.09.1992 and practiced at Chennai, Dindigul, Palani and Hosur. He served as secretary of Palani Bar Association during 2002-2004. He served as Member, State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, Tamil Nadu in 2021-2022 and served as Consumer Court District Judge at Ariyalur and Namakkal from March, 2022 to February, 2025. Government of Tamil Nadu appointed Dr V Ramaraj as Member in Tamil Nadu Lokayuktha and he assumed charge in the first week of March, 2025. Tamil Nadu Lokayuta is a quasi-judicial body to inquire allegations of bribery or corruption against public servants and government official. The salary, allowances and other conditions of member of Tamil Nadu Lokayuta is the same as those of judge of the High Court.
Hon’ble Dr V. Ramaraj participated in legal conferences overseas and authored numerous research and popular articles on socio-legal topics. He served as research guide for post graduate law students and has written a book on voter rights. His wife S.Gowrimani is Scientist G at Indian Space Research organization.
The term “voterology” and “Voterologism” are coined and first used by Dr. V. Ramaraj in 1996 and he has defined voterology as the study of vote, votes, and elections. In 2000, conclave of voluntary organizations, which participated in national voter’s awareness campaign, has conferred the title “Father of Voterology” to him. Dr V. Ramaraj describes that vote, voter and elections are three equal dimensions of democratic institutions and these dimensional values are required to determine the standard of a democratic institution. Voter’s ignorance, corruption, and authoritarianism are forces that pose a threat to each vote, voter and election. Since 1999, he argues for recognition of voterology as a distinct academic field, separate from political science, to promote genuine democracy, good governance, and peace. He has written a book on voterology and many articles on voter’s awareness.