There are many ways in which we can participate in improving our country. We usually limit our participation to elections, elections are vital but its only the beginning.
Here are some things you could do:
General:
* Organize yourself into citizen groups - whole is greater than sum of parts!, use technology everywhere possible, you can start off with something like google groups and blogs.
* Have a good information system to collect and disseminate information.
* Maintain good relations with all your three representatives : Corporator, MLA & MP.
What you should do during elections:
* Think beyond "political parties" - In each election understand the background of candidates and ensure you elect only trust worthy people. Its not unusual to find many criminals participating in the mask of representing "big parties" do not elect such people. Eg: In last Corporator elections in my ward one candidate representing a "big party" had many murder cases against him and he was a rowdy, so its important to think beyond parties.
* Research about the top candidates in each election and discuss it in your citizen groups, make pamphlets and circulate them in your constituency.
* Volunteer to monitor elections that happen in your place.
Being active in local government :
* Be in touch with your Corporator
* Understand the plans for your ward and the budget, use RTI when required.
* In your citizen groups - track the projects in your ward and ensure money is well spent.
* Work as a party worker in your local political organization.
Being active in your state & Central government:
* Be informed about bills being passed in your state and central legislatives.
* Discuss about the bills internally and convey your support or protest to your legislators
* Create online petitions and use this to influence your legislators
* Write letters in newspapers/magazines to influence public opinion.
* Take part in local protests to support issues which you stand for and build a network.
Here are some things you could do:
General:
* Organize yourself into citizen groups - whole is greater than sum of parts!, use technology everywhere possible, you can start off with something like google groups and blogs.
* Have a good information system to collect and disseminate information.
* Maintain good relations with all your three representatives : Corporator, MLA & MP.
What you should do during elections:
* Think beyond "political parties" - In each election understand the background of candidates and ensure you elect only trust worthy people. Its not unusual to find many criminals participating in the mask of representing "big parties" do not elect such people. Eg: In last Corporator elections in my ward one candidate representing a "big party" had many murder cases against him and he was a rowdy, so its important to think beyond parties.
* Research about the top candidates in each election and discuss it in your citizen groups, make pamphlets and circulate them in your constituency.
* Volunteer to monitor elections that happen in your place.
Being active in local government :
* Be in touch with your Corporator
* Understand the plans for your ward and the budget, use RTI when required.
* In your citizen groups - track the projects in your ward and ensure money is well spent.
* Work as a party worker in your local political organization.
Being active in your state & Central government:
* Be informed about bills being passed in your state and central legislatives.
* Discuss about the bills internally and convey your support or protest to your legislators
* Create online petitions and use this to influence your legislators
* Write letters in newspapers/magazines to influence public opinion.
* Take part in local protests to support issues which you stand for and build a network.
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