Electoral Reforms and Their Objectives
India is the second-highest populated country with the largest democratic foundation in the world. Elections in India are a very big topic and an integral part of the democratic system. The voting rights of the Indians regarding electoral law have been reformed quite a few times since the advent of the Constitution of India. In this article, we will study the reforms and Election process in India.
An Introduction to the Electoral Reforms in India
The rules, regulations, and directives of the Election process in India have been changed quite a few times in order to maintain the dignity of the voting right and to eliminate corruption from all possible levels. The first three elections were conducted on a fairground but the standards started to degrade in the fourth one held in 1967. Many natives considered that it is the result of political corruption that resulted in such maladministration. This is why electoral reforms in India were introduced to face such challenges and to make it a fair practice for all.
Major Issues in Indian Electoral Politics
1. Money
One of the prime issues that the Election procedure in India faces even to this date is money and power. Candidates spend fortunes for publicity and campaigns the agenda of their respective parties. It requires immense resources including money to make people understand the power of the parties and to compel them to vote. Most of the time, the parties exceed the permissible extent of expenses to display their strongholds.
2. Muscle Power
Untoward as well as illegal incidents are often heard in different places due to political bias and differences in opinions. Capturing booths, intimidating locals, and violence became a routine in certain parts of the country.
3. Criminalization and Politicization
Another devastating issue of the election process conducted in India is the criminalization of politics using muscle and money. In fact, politicians with strong criminal backgrounds are also witnessed getting tickets from respective parties to compete in an election.
4. Misusing Government Machinery
Using government machinery such as vehicles, tools, and even law professionals have been witnessed in elections.
5. Degradation of Moral Values
Deterioration of the moral values of the politicians and candidates also maligns the true nature of this democratic right.
6. Other Issues
Besides these mentioned issues in the electoral politics of the country, there are other issues as well such as presence of casteism as well as communalism and attracting votes with respect to caste and religion.
Electoral Reforms in India
Due to the above-mentioned issues maligning the election process, the process of electoral reform was introduced to design laws more stringent. Different committees formed in due course of time to eradicate such issues and to conduct elections the way it is intended and mentioned in the Constitution of India. let us check the reforms and amendments done in the electoral rights.
1. Reducing Voting Age
The 61st Amendment Act resulted in reducing the voting age from 21 years to 18 years for the Indians.
2. Election Commission Deputation
Every election personnel will be superintended by the Election Commission of India throughout the cycle.
3. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
The introduction of EVMs in 1998 in the state elections of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi earmarked a better and more efficient election process. This is one of the most important Election reforms in India before 2000.
4. Restricting Constituencies for Contest
The Election process in India was transformed drastically when the candidates were not allowed to contest from more than 2 constituencies in India.
5. Election Expenditure Limitation
The Electoral Reform Committee has capped the expenditure a party can spend as an individual candidate. The amount is said to be set up to INR 50-70 Lakh for Lok Sabha elections whereas INR 20-28 Lakh for assembly elections.
6. Broadcasting Election Results
In 2019, this electoral reform from EC stopped broadcasting the results before the final phase in order to avoid misleading voters in any way possible.
7. Postal Ballot Reform
In 2013, an electoral reform expanded the ambit of this way of casting voting by including 6 categories. This method can be used by service voters, wives of service voters, special voters, wives of special voters, voters in preventive detention, personnel on election duty, and notified voters.
8. National Voters’ Day
In this reform, the EC announced that 25th January will be celebrated as National Voters’ Day across the country to spread the awareness and significance of elections. It is done to encourage the Indians to actively participate in the elections and to express their thoughts.
9. Disqualification and Increase in Number of Proposers
The candidate as per the electoral reforms can be disqualified in case of violation of National Honours Act, 1971. On the other hand, the security deposit to contest the election as well as a 10% increase in the Proposers on the nomination papers has also been done.
10. Others
There is said to be prohibition to enter near the polling booth with arms.
Bye Elections should be done within the 6 months of the vacancy occurring.
There is prohibition of sale and distribution of liquor within polling areas.
Conclusion
There are different other major and minor political reforms in India amended by the EC to ensure the dignity and directives of an election conducted. Over the years, these significant changes brought noteworthy transformations in the election process. It also reflects on the responsibility of the authoritative body that looks after the election, its directives, the functions of election professionals, and controlling the parties contesting in the elections in different aspects.
Remember that every reform was given a proper shape based on the recommendations of a committee set on a particular ground. The information regarding the reforms can be found in the Electoral reforms in India PDF file. It will help you in studying and remembering the dates, motives, and changes made in the election protocols in India.
FAQs on Electoral Reforms in India
1. What are the primary objectives of implementing electoral reforms in India?
The main objective of electoral reforms in India is to ensure the integrity of the democratic process. This involves several key goals:
- Ensuring Free and Fair Elections: To create an environment where every voter can cast their ballot without fear or influence.
- Curbing Malpractices: To eliminate issues like the use of money and muscle power, booth capturing, and voter intimidation.
- Enhancing Transparency and Accountability: To make the entire election process, from nominations to counting, open and transparent.
- Maintaining Public Trust: To uphold the legitimacy of election outcomes and strengthen public faith in the democratic system.
2. What are some of the major issues in the Indian electoral system that necessitated these reforms?
Electoral reforms were introduced to combat several persistent challenges that undermined the democratic spirit of elections. The most significant issues include:
- Money Power: Excessive and often unaccounted expenditure by candidates and parties, creating an uneven playing field.
- Muscle Power: The use of intimidation, violence, and coercion to influence voters, especially in sensitive areas.
- Criminalisation of Politics: The participation of candidates with criminal backgrounds, which erodes the moral fabric of politics.
- Misuse of Government Machinery: The ruling party using official resources for campaign purposes, giving them an unfair advantage.
- Casteism and Communalism: Appealing to voters based on caste or religious identities rather than on policy and performance.
3. Which constitutional amendment was responsible for lowering the voting age in India?
The voting age in India was lowered from 21 years to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988. This was a landmark reform aimed at increasing the participation of the country's youth in the political process, giving them a voice in electing their representatives.
4. What was the significance of introducing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the Indian election process?
The introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was a major technological reform that addressed several critical issues of the paper ballot system. Their significance lies in:
- Eliminating Invalid Votes: EVMs prevent votes from being declared invalid due to improper stamping, a common issue with ballot papers.
- Curbing Booth Capturing: They make large-scale booth capturing difficult as the machines are programmed to record only a limited number of votes per minute.
- Increasing Efficiency: EVMs have made the process of voting and counting significantly faster and more accurate.
5. How do electoral reforms attempt to control the influence of 'money power' during elections?
To control the influence of money power, the Election Commission of India has implemented specific reforms. The most important among these is setting a legal limit on the amount of money a candidate can spend during their campaign. This expenditure limit varies for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and aims to ensure that candidates win based on merit and public support, not financial strength, thereby creating a more level playing field for all contestants.
6. Why is the independence of the Election Commission crucial for carrying out electoral reforms?
The independence of the Election Commission is the bedrock of free and fair elections in India. An autonomous Election Commission can make impartial decisions without being influenced by the ruling party or any other vested interest. This autonomy allows it to:
- Enforce the Model Code of Conduct strictly.
- Recommend necessary legislative reforms to the government.
- Take disciplinary action against candidates and parties that violate electoral laws.
Without its independence, the entire framework of electoral reforms would be ineffective, as enforcement would be compromised.
7. Besides lowering the voting age and introducing EVMs, what are two other significant electoral reforms from the post-1990 era?
Two other significant reforms include:
- Restriction on Contesting Seats: A candidate is now barred from contesting elections from more than two constituencies in a general election. This was done to prevent non-serious candidates from contesting from multiple seats and forcing multiple by-elections if they win more than one.
- Declaration of Assets and Criminal Cases: The Supreme Court mandated that every candidate must submit an affidavit detailing their property, assets, and any pending criminal cases at the time of filing their nomination. This increases transparency and helps voters make an informed choice.
8. How do the principles of electoral reform in India reflect the core values of its Constitution?
Electoral reforms in India directly reflect the core constitutional values of democracy, equality, and justice. By striving for free and fair elections, the reforms uphold the democratic principle of rule by the people. By setting expenditure limits and curbing muscle power, they promote the value of equality, ensuring that all candidates have a fair chance. By disqualifying criminals and demanding transparency, they serve the cause of social and political justice, aiming to create a political system that is accountable to its citizens.
