A seminar on Lokpal and Lokayukta was held on behalf of the Trichy Bar Association, presided over by Trichy Principal District Judge M. Christopher. In which Tamil Nadu Lokayukta Member Dr. V. Ramaraj participated as a special guest and spoke.
The supreme power in a democracy is the right to vote. Only the vote determines the nature of a democratic government and the political trends of the world. When voters vote in elections, democracy begins. If bribery and corruption enter the three aspects of democracy – votes, voters and elections, we cannot expect a government free from corruption. Citizens have a shared responsibility to eradicate corruption from the vote, voters and elections, which are the foundation of democracy, said Ramaraj.
Voterology is the study and research of votes, voters and elections. Voterology should be taught to all voters to create a democracy that benefits the people. “Voters above all else” is the central idea of Voterologism. Its aim is to spread the principles of voterology, which emphasize empowerment of voters and the supreme power of the electorate in a democracy. Ramaraj said that voter awareness is essential to eradicate corruption.
Just as every country has a separate organization to conduct elections, a National Commission for Protection of Voters’ Rights and Education should be set up to provide voter education and protect the rights of voters, and special election tribunals should be set up to hear and dispose of election cases within six months. The Election Commission, the Voters’ Commission and the Election Tribunal should be classified as Election Authorities and given constitutional status. Ramaraj said that election institutions are important pillars of democracy, just like the legislative bodies, the government and the judiciary, which are the pillars of democracy. Voterology is the path to people’s welfare democracy, good governance and peace. Through this, corruption can be eradicated in the aspects of vote, voters and elections.
Corruption is the biggest enemy of good governance, global peace and the well-being of the people. The Lokpal has been set up to investigate allegations of corruption against the Prime Minister, Union Ministers and all officers of the Central Government. Similarly, the Tamil Nadu Lokayukta has been set up to investigate allegations of corruption against the Chief Minister, ministers, IAS and IPS officers and other state government officers. V. Ramaraj stressed that bar associations and voluntary organizations should work to increase awareness among the people about the Lokpal and the Lokayukta.
Most people do not know the difference between Lokayukta and Lok Adalat. Lok Ayukta is a state-level high-level investigation body against corruption. Lok Adalat is a mechanism for resolving cases through conciliation and negotiation in all courts. Ramaraj requested everyone to understand this difference.
Note: The term “Voterology” (வாக்காளரியல் in Tamil) was coined by Dr.V.Ramaraj and it made its debut in his book named “Respectable Voter” in 1996 and an article of Dinamani, a Tamil daily on August 20, 1999. Voterologism is a newly coined word by Dr. V.Ramaraj, derived from “voterology”. Voterologism is used to refer to the doctrines of voterology (school of thought advanced by Dr. V. Ramaraj), that prioritizes the actions, will, or opinions of the voters above all else. Dr. V. Ramaraj is recognized as the “Father of Voterology” for his contributions to understanding voter dynamics and promoting voter awareness.