s 1,2

political

Implementing Voting Requirements

December 30, 1995

Q: The requirements of morality, education and socio-economic-political awareness have been given as necessary for a properly functioning democracy. But how practically can it be determined whether citizens meet these requirements and are to be qualified as voters?

It cannot be used as a method to debar anyone from voting. You see, in this case, it may be used to swing the vote saying, "You are not fit; you are not fit". Then it becomes a method to swing the vote. Instead it must be made certain that everyone is fit, and if a person is not operating in a moral fashion, if they are not following yama and niyama, then they must be given encouragement to follow. And if they are not having education, then they should be educated so that they may vote. And if they are not aware of the situation, then they should be informed. But it should be encouraged that if they are not properly informed, then they not vote and that they inform themselves so that they may vote. Now, you realize that in a Prout cooperative the voting would be on the local level in the local cooperative, and it is the responsibility of the cooperative to see that the members' minimum needs are met, that their educational needs are met, that they are informed regarding issues that they must vote upon and are well educated and that the education be objective, not be biased, and if the people are lacking in general education, that they be given opportunity for education. This is the responsibility of the cooperative in caring for its members.

Now the samaj, the state itself, will assist the cooperative in carrying forth these programs, and it will also monitor should a complaint be posted that biased information is being given out or the needs of the members are not being met -- then a complaint may be posted. So if voting is through the cooperative, then it is the duty of the cooperative to see that the opportunity for all of this is given to each member. But the members should not be barred from voting, from expressing their desire saying, "Oh you do not have so many years of education," or, "We do not like you. We do not think you are a moral person so we will not let you vote." It should not be like this. They must be assisted to be fit and encouraged to meet a certain standard which is set forth for voters, but they should not be denied the right to vote. Otherwise it can become a mechanism for oppression.

But that is at the most basic level. When the cooperative elects a representative, that person is required to meet a moral standard, be educated, and to have political awareness. They should not be illiterate. So to be voted to a position of representation, these standards must be met. This is what was originally intended. Not that people should be denied the vote. But these representatives will then be the ones who will vote upon the further representation to state government, and the representatives who will choose the world leader who will represent the samaj. And that leader must also be a moral and educated individual, and those choosing must be moral and educated. So those are the voters who must follow this. They cannot be elected otherwise. But in the main body of the vote, even if a person has no degree at all, they may vote in their own cooperative.

You will not say, "You cannot vote." But you will take the time, if the person needs, to teach them what the issues are, and the candidates who are available, and what they stand for, and what the difference would be between taking one and taking another, and what are the reforms or issues to be voted upon. You will teach them so that they will make informed decisions. And these instructions should not be biased. They must be objective. And these classes to teach people and materials put forth for people, this objectivity will be monitored, and if the material is found to not be unbiased, a fine can be made to the cooperative.