Readers' Forum
Reform-orthodox index
With the Bombay Parsi Punchayet elections coming up, it would be a good idea if voters asked the candidates to declare what is their Reforth Index.
The Reforth Index gives voters a quantitative measure of where the candidates stand on the reform-orthodox spectrum. The Index is based on a short survey form in Excel format calling for the candidate’s views on four topics of great relevance to our community’s future — prayers and rituals, priesthood, attitude towards other communities and general religious issues. Based on the candidate’s responses, a number between 20 and 100 is automatically calculated in the Excel sheet — 20 being the limit of orthodoxy, and 100 being the limit of reformism. Then voters can be better equipped to decide which candidate deserves their vote for trusteeship.
Going one step further, rather than just asking the candidates to declare their Reforth Index number, the candidates are asked to publicize their entire Reforth Index form in their election manifestos, publicity pamphlets, etc so that the voters know the candidates’ views on each major issue affecting the welfare of our community.
The Reforth Index form takes hardly 15 minutes to complete, and can also be filled out by any member of our community who wishes to participate in the ongoing Reforth Index pilot survey. Requests for soft copy forms in Excel or Word format may please be addressed to me at the email address below. Dr JAMSHED A. MODI
modi.jamshed@gmail.com
The Reforth Index gives voters a quantitative measure of where the candidates stand on the reform-orthodox spectrum. The Index is based on a short survey form in Excel format calling for the candidate’s views on four topics of great relevance to our community’s future — prayers and rituals, priesthood, attitude towards other communities and general religious issues. Based on the candidate’s responses, a number between 20 and 100 is automatically calculated in the Excel sheet — 20 being the limit of orthodoxy, and 100 being the limit of reformism. Then voters can be better equipped to decide which candidate deserves their vote for trusteeship.
Going one step further, rather than just asking the candidates to declare their Reforth Index number, the candidates are asked to publicize their entire Reforth Index form in their election manifestos, publicity pamphlets, etc so that the voters know the candidates’ views on each major issue affecting the welfare of our community.
The Reforth Index form takes hardly 15 minutes to complete, and can also be filled out by any member of our community who wishes to participate in the ongoing Reforth Index pilot survey. Requests for soft copy forms in Excel or Word format may please be addressed to me at the email address below. Dr JAMSHED A. MODI
modi.jamshed@gmail.com
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2 readers wrote
This is an excellent idea, Dr. Modi. I hope ALL candidates agree to such an assessment and voluntarily participate in this survey. However, I would go a step further and suggest to the voters to examine the candidates' public records and rate them using the Index, if the candidate does not provide their own. Publicizing such an option will likely encourage all the candidates to publish their own position, instead of allowing their voters to draw their own conclusions! Hopefully, this will make the elections more transparent!
Best wishes for your survey and its findings.
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