Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Indian democracy, despite its robust framework, faces challenges related to criminalization of politics, opaque political funding, declining voter turnout, and the influence of money and muscle power. Recognizing these issues, the Election Commission of India (ECI) proposed a comprehensive set of electoral reforms in 2016, aiming to enhance the integrity, transparency, and inclusivity of the electoral process. These reforms, stemming from decades of observations and recommendations from various committees like the Goswami Committee (1990) and the Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998), sought to address systemic vulnerabilities and strengthen the foundations of Indian democracy. This answer will detail these proposed reforms and assess their significance in bolstering democratic principles.
Proposed Electoral Reforms by the ECI (2016)
The ECI’s 2016 proposals encompassed a wide range of areas, aiming to address various shortcomings in the electoral system. These can be broadly categorized as follows:
1. Reforms Related to Political Funding
- Transparency in Funding: The ECI proposed making political funding more transparent by disclosing the source of donations above a certain threshold. This included advocating for amendments to the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- Capping of Donations: The Commission suggested capping individual and corporate donations to political parties to reduce the influence of money power.
- State Funding of Elections: The ECI reiterated its recommendation for state funding of elections, either partially or fully, to level the playing field and reduce reliance on private funding.
2. Reforms Related to Criminal Background of Candidates
- Disqualification of Candidates: The ECI proposed a stricter disqualification criterion for candidates with criminal backgrounds. It suggested disqualifying individuals convicted of offences punishable with imprisonment of two years or more, even if the conviction is stayed.
- Public Disclosure of Criminal Records: The Commission advocated for mandatory public disclosure of criminal records of candidates well in advance of elections.
3. Reforms Related to Voter Turnout and Electoral Participation
- Remote Voting: The ECI proposed exploring the feasibility of remote voting for migrant voters and those unable to physically reach polling stations.
- Internet Voting: The Commission suggested piloting internet voting for a limited number of voters, with appropriate security measures in place.
- Making Voting Compulsory: The ECI considered the possibility of making voting compulsory, with provisions for exemptions.
4. Reforms Related to Electoral Offences and Enforcement
- Strengthening Enforcement Mechanisms: The ECI proposed strengthening the enforcement mechanisms to deal with electoral offences, such as voter intimidation and distribution of money and gifts.
- Fast-Track Courts: The Commission advocated for the establishment of fast-track courts to expedite the trial of electoral offences.
Significance of the Reforms for a Successful Democracy
The proposed reforms hold significant potential to enhance the quality of Indian democracy in several ways:
- Reduced Influence of Money Power: Capping donations and promoting transparency in political funding can reduce the undue influence of wealthy individuals and corporations on political decision-making.
- Criminalization of Politics: Stricter disqualification criteria and public disclosure of criminal records can help curb the criminalization of politics and promote a cleaner political environment.
- Increased Voter Participation: Remote voting and internet voting can make it easier for citizens to exercise their franchise, particularly those who are geographically dispersed or face mobility challenges.
- Enhanced Electoral Integrity: Strengthening enforcement mechanisms and establishing fast-track courts can deter electoral offences and ensure a fairer and more credible electoral process.
However, the implementation of these reforms faces challenges. Concerns regarding data security and voter authentication in internet voting, the practicality of enforcing compulsory voting, and potential legal challenges to stricter disqualification criteria need to be addressed. Furthermore, political consensus is crucial for enacting these reforms, as many of them require amendments to existing laws.
Status as of 2023: While some limited progress has been made (e.g., increased disclosure requirements), many of the core proposals remain unimplemented. The government has taken steps towards remote voting for NRIs, but broader implementation requires further deliberation and legislative action.
Conclusion
The electoral reforms proposed by the ECI in 2016 represent a crucial step towards strengthening the foundations of Indian democracy. By addressing issues related to political funding, criminalization, voter participation, and electoral offences, these reforms have the potential to enhance the integrity, transparency, and inclusivity of the electoral process. However, successful implementation requires sustained political will, careful consideration of potential challenges, and a broad consensus among stakeholders. A continued focus on electoral reforms is essential to ensure that Indian democracy remains vibrant and responsive to the needs of its citizens.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.