Tamil Nadu, despite its impressive economic and social progress, has fallen prey to the cash-for-vote culture | Photo Credit: SHAIKMOHIDEEN A
Tamil Nadu and its people possess an unparalleled history. Long before modern engineering was conceived, Tamils mastered the fury of the Kaveri River to build the Kallanai (Grand Anicut), an ancient dam that still astounds the world.
Nearly 13 centuries ago, without the aid of modern machinery, they constructed the Thanjavur Big Temple, a granite marvel that remains a pinnacle of architectural brilliance. Two millennia ago, Tamil civilization displayed to the world its intellectual creativity through the timeless ethics of the Thirukkural, the linguistic depths of the Tolkappiyam and the epic narratives of Silappathikaram.
Post-independence, Tamil Nadu has remained a pioneer in education, economic development and social justice, consistently outperforming most Indian States in the Human Development Index (HDI).
Yet, it is gut-wrenching to witness a society with such a profound intellectual heritage succumb to the cash-for-votes culture. One must ask whether our progress in education and civilisation merely led us to a point where we are willing to sell our fundamental rights for a few thousand rupees.
Democracy to money
It is ironic that in the land of Paranthaka Chola I, who introduced the Kudavolai (ballot) system for fair local elections sometime in the 10th century, the cash-for-votes menace has taken such deep roots. Allegations of bribery trace back to the 1960s. In 1962, CN Annadurai, former Chief Minister, lamented during an election campaign speech that an opponent was distributing cash in envelopes bearing the image of Lord Venkateswara to defeat him. Tragically, Annadurai lost that election.
That poisonous seed sown 60 years ago has today grown into a monstrous tree. Former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami once noted in an interview that the practice of bribing voters is perhaps most rampant in Tamil Nadu and even the Election Commission struggles to contain it.
While precise data on illicit distribution of money is elusive, reports from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) suggest that in past elections, sums ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 have been distributed per vote. Beyond cash, the inducements have evolved into a sophisticated menu: liquor, biryani, dhotis, sarees, kitchenware, silver anklets and other items.
This has given rise to various infamous “formulas” named after constituencies where high-stakes bribery was pioneered, such as the Thirumangalam formula (2009), followed by the Aravakurichi (2016) and RK Nagar (2017) formula. In the Erode East by-election (2023), a new formula was created where voters were confined in halls like livestock and provided with food and cash to influence the voters.
The cost of free gifts
French philosopher Rousseau once remarked that “voters are free only during the election of members of Parliament; as soon as they are elected, the people are slaves”. This is becoming a stark reality in Tamil Nadu and other States as well. Candidates who spend tens of crores to win an election view it as an investment to be recovered. Once in power, they seek to recoup their capital by any means necessary.
From obtaining a birth certificate or a community certificate to securing a water connection, electricity or a land patta, citizens are forced to pay bribes at government offices, which ultimately reach the politicians. Funds allocated for development are siphoned off through substandard infrastructure projects. When citizens eventually complain about crumbling roads or inadequate facilities, some representatives have become brazen enough to retort: “You didn’t vote for free; you took the money, didn’t you?”
Political parties have successfully manipulated the public psyche. Many voters now justify taking money, their argument being, “It’s our own tax money they stole; why not take a bit back?” Some even encourage voters to take money from everyone but “vote for us”, which is an unbelievable statement devoid of any political or social morality.
The irony is that while politicians flout the law, the common man suffers under the Election Model Code of Conduct. During election season, ordinary citizens are subjected to humiliating searches while travelling car or in bus. Poor farmers who sell their cattleat markets are often intercepted by flying squads, unable to prove the source of their meagre earnings. Small traders struggle to carry even small amounts of cash for daily business. Why should honest, hard-working people suffer while those who created this systemic rot remain untouched?
The path to reform
Mahatma Gandhi once said that a vote is not personal property but a sacred trust, selling it is akin to selling one’s soul. Therefore, to save our democracy from this disease, stringent legal reforms are mandatory. First, the Election Commission (EC) must be empowered to disqualify any candidate found distributing money from contesting elections for life, within six months of the election process being completed.
The judiciary must resolve election bribery cases within six months on a fast-track basis. If proven guilty, the representative should be stripped of their post and barred from future elections.
If laws are enacted to penalise voters with a minimum of one year of imprisonment for accepting bribes, it might instill the necessary fear of the law and accountability. This disease is spreading to other States rapidly. Therefore, the Centre must enact a strict national law to curb this trend.
The EC must also launch massive awareness campaigns to drive this home, highlighting the famous statement of BR Ambedkar that “your vote is not a single day’s wage, it is your future for the next five years. Cast it with deep thought and care”. In cases where the EC finds massive practice of cash-for-vote with strong evidence, the election for the entire State may be countermanded to teach a lesson to the political parties.
To conclude, accepting money for a vote is not just an electoral malpractice, it is an act of selling our children’s future. It will not only stagnate the economic growth, but lead to systemic social failure. While laws are necessary, the ultimate change must come from within. Every voter must resolve that “my vote is not for sale”. If we fail to do this, we may see Annadurai’s grim foresight that “where ‘money-ocracy’ prevails, democracy weakens. If the poor man’s vote is sold for cash, the nation’s future will turn dark”.
The writer is an Economist and former full-time Member (Official), Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, New Delhi. Views expressed are personal
Published on April 28, 2026