Introduction‍

India's electoral system, established by the Constitution in 1949, is a globally admired democratic framework. Despite being the world's largest democracy, it faces challenges like political criminalization, money power, and systemic vulnerabilities. Reforms aimed at ensuring transparency, voter inclusivity, and electoral integrity are essential to strengthen its democracy.

Evolution of India's Electoral System

Pre-Independence Era

  • Government of India Act, 1858: British Crown assumed control; no representative governance.
  • Indian Councils Act, 1861 & 1892: Limited Indian participation in legislative councils without electoral representation.
  • Government of India Act, 1909: Introduced communal representation through separate electorates for Muslims.
  • Government of India Act, 1919: Expanded electorate; introduced dyarchy with partial Indian representation.
  • Government of India Act, 1935: Provided provincial autonomy and expanded electorates.

Post-Independence Era

  • Constituent Assembly Debates: Adopted universal adult suffrage and established an inclusive electoral framework.
  • Constitutional Provisions:some text
    • Article 324: Establishment of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
    • Articles 325–329: Framework for elections, delimitation, and anti-discrimination.
  • Key Milestones:
    • First General Elections (1951-52): Over 173 million voters participated with innovative measures like party symbols.
    • ECI became a multi-member body in 1993.
    • Reduction of voting age (61st Amendment, 1989): From 21 to 18 years.
    • Introduction of EVMs (1989) and VVPAT (2013).
    • Right to Information Act (2005): Enhanced transparency in political funding.
    • Introduction of NOTA (2013) following Supreme Court directive.

Key Issues in India's Electoral System

  1. Money Power in Elections
    • Unregulated funding undermines fairness.
    • Electoral bonds worth ₹16,000 crore fuel opacity in political financing.
  2. Criminalization of Politics
    • 46% of newly elected Lok Sabha MPs (2024) have criminal cases.
    • Weak enforcement of Supreme Court directives on publishing criminal records.
  3. Low Voter Turnout
    • Urban apathy reduces legitimacy; Bengaluru saw only 54% turnout in 2024.
  4. Electoral Violence
    • Intimidation disrupts voting in conflict-prone areas like West Bengal (2024).
  5. Misuse of Media
    • Spread of misinformation and paid news polarizes voters.
    • Deepfake videos amplify fake campaigns.
  6. ECI Independence
    • Alleged biases undermine trust; need for financial autonomy and impartial selection processes.
  7. EVM and VVPAT Concerns
    • Reports of EVM malfunctions persist despite VVPAT introduction.
  8. Gender Representation Gap
    • Women constitute only 13.6% of Lok Sabha; reforms like the Women’s Reservation Bill (2023) delayed.
  9. Frequent Elections
    • Governance disruption due to MCC; simultaneous elections proposed as a solution.
  10. Vote-Buying and Freebies
    • Record seizures during elections highlight rampant inducements.
  11. Inner-Party Democracy
    • Lack of transparency fuels dynastic politics; 30% of MPs in 2019 came from political families.
  12. Disenfranchisement of Migrant Workers
    • Over 450 million internal migrants lack effective voting mechanisms.
  13. Environmental Impact
    • Campaigns generate significant plastic waste; limited adherence to eco-friendly guidelines.

Measures for Electoral Reforms

  1. Curbing Criminalization of Politics
    • Amend Representation of People Act to disqualify candidates with serious charges.
    • Strengthen enforcement of directives on criminal records.
  2. Simultaneous Elections
    • Synchronize terms for Lok Sabha and state assemblies to reduce logistical challenges.
  3. Boosting Voter Turnout
    • Introduce online registration and remote voting mechanisms for migrants.
    • Awareness campaigns to address urban apathy.
  4. Strengthening ECI Independence
    • Ensure financial autonomy and regular performance audits.
    • Mandate impartial selection committees for key appointments.
  5. Mandatory Inner-Party Democracy
    • Amend laws to enforce internal elections and transparency.
    • Incentivize compliant parties through additional public funding.
  6. Regulating Digital Campaigning
    • Establish an EC-supervised fact-checking unit to combat misinformation.
    • Enforce transparency in digital ad expenditure.
  7. Expanding VVPAT Usage
    • Verify slips for at least 5% of EVMs as per Supreme Court directives.
  8. Combating Freebie Culture
    • Mandate fiscal roadmaps for electoral promises.
    • Educate voters on the long-term impacts of unsustainable freebies.
  9. Promoting Environmental Sustainability
    • Mandate biodegradable materials and digital campaigns.
    • Collaborate with NGOs for cleanup drives post-campaigns.

Conclusion‍

India's electoral democracy must address systemic issues like criminalization, voter apathy, and misuse of resources. Strengthening ECI's independence, mandating inner-party democracy, and leveraging technology can uphold democratic values. Comprehensive reforms will reinforce public trust, setting a benchmark for global democracies.

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