{"id":39317,"date":"2025-03-18T18:29:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T12:59:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=39317"},"modified":"2025-03-18T18:29:15","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T12:59:15","slug":"india-electoral-reforms-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/18-03-2025\/india-electoral-reforms-need","title":{"rendered":"Need For Electoral Reforms in India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity &amp; Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In India, the need for electoral reforms has become increasingly evident to address challenges such as voter fraud, criminalization of politics, and the influence of money power.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Challenges in the Current Electoral System<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Criminalization of Politics:<\/strong> A significant number of elected representatives face criminal charges, raising concerns about the integrity of the political system.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>According to reports from the <strong>Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR)<\/strong>, a substantial percentage of MPs and MLAs have pending criminal cases against them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d8cbc1\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"565\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Need-For-Electoral-Reforms-in-India.png\" alt=\"Need For Electoral Reforms in India\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-39318\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d8cbc1; width:439px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Need-For-Electoral-Reforms-in-India.png 565w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Need-For-Electoral-Reforms-in-India-300x212.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 565px) 100vw, 565px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Influence of Money Power:<\/strong> Excessive election spending and the lack of transparency in political funding undermine the democratic process.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reforms are needed to cap expenditures and promote accountability in campaign financing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Voter Fraud and Electoral Roll Issues:<\/strong> Allegations of duplicate voter IDs and manipulation of electoral rolls highlight the need for robust mechanisms to maintain the integrity of voter lists.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Misuse of Technology:<\/strong> While <strong>Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)<\/strong> and <strong>Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs)<\/strong> have enhanced efficiency, concerns about their security and transparency persist.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reforms can address these issues by improving verification processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Inappropriate Campaign Practices:<\/strong> The use of divisive rhetoric, false claims, and appeals to caste or communal identities during campaigns undermines the spirit of democracy.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stricter regulations are required to ensure ethical campaigning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First-Past-The-Post System (FPTP) and Representation Issues: <\/strong>India follows the FPTP system, where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not secure an absolute majority.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It leads to situations where a candidate winning with just 30-40% of votes represents the entire constituency, raising concerns about true democratic representation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Delimitation and Representation:<\/strong> It raised concerns about potential shifts in political power between regions, especially among southern states.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"eee5e7\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"933\" height=\"458\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/issues-in-indian-election-campaigns.png\" alt=\"issues in indian election campaigns\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-39319\" style=\"--dominant-color: #eee5e7; width:490px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/issues-in-indian-election-campaigns.png 933w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/issues-in-indian-election-campaigns-300x147.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/issues-in-indian-election-campaigns-768x377.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 933px) 100vw, 933px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Recent Electoral Reforms in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>52nd Amendment Act (1985): Anti-Defection Law<\/strong> &amp; introduction of <strong>Tenth Schedule to the Constitution<\/strong>, aiming to curb political defections by disqualifying defectors from holding public office.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>91st Constitutional Amendment Act (2003): <\/strong>Aimed to curb political defections by limiting the size of ministerial councils and enforcing anti-defection laws.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>61st Constitutional Amendment Act (1988): Lowering of Voting Age from 21 to 18<\/strong>, expanding democratic participation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992):<\/strong> Strengthened local governance by institutionalizing Panchayats, ensuring direct elections and reserved seats for marginalized communities and women.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Introduction of EVMs:<\/strong> To improve the voting process&#8217;s efficiency and reduce electoral fraud, EVMs were introduced in Indian elections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ceiling on Election Expenditure:<\/strong> Limits have been set on election expenditures to promote fair competition among candidates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Provision of NOTA (None of the Above): <\/strong>Introduced in 2013, the NOTA option allows voters to reject all candidates if they find none suitable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Systematic Voters&#8217; Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP):<\/strong> It is a flagship programme of the ECI to promote voter education and participation in elections.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>One Nation, One Election:<\/strong> It advocates simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies to reduce costs and governance disruptions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Delimitation Exercise:<\/strong> Plans to redraw parliamentary constituencies based on new population data aim to ensure equal representation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Proposed Electoral Reforms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Decriminalization of Politics:<\/strong> The <strong>Supreme Court<\/strong> has repeatedly emphasized the need for decriminalizing politics.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Disqualifying candidates with serious criminal charges and fast-tracking cases against politicians can enhance the credibility of the electoral process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transparency in Political Funding:<\/strong> Introducing measures such as <strong>state funding of elections<\/strong> and <strong>mandatory disclosure of donations<\/strong> can reduce the influence of money power.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Proportional Representation System:<\/strong> Replacing or modifying the FPTP system with a proportional representation model can ensure fairer representation of diverse political ideologies.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It can help in reducing the monopoly of dominant parties and make elections more inclusive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthening the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/19-02-2025\/appointment-of-chief-election-commissioner\"><strong>Election Commission of India (ECI)<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>EC should be given more autonomy and legal authority to act against electoral malpractices.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The process of appointing ECs should be transparent and independent of political influence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strengthening Voter Verification: Linking Aadhaar with voter IDs,<\/strong> while addressing privacy concerns, can help eliminate duplicate entries and ensure accurate electoral rolls.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mandatory Internal Democracy in Political Parties:<\/strong> The <strong>Representation of the People Act<\/strong> should be amended to ensure democratic functioning within political parties.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Regular elections within parties and term limits for leadership positions should be mandated to promote fresh and dynamic leadership.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Improving EVM and VVPAT Systems:<\/strong> Conducting random audits and increasing the sample size for VVPAT verification can enhance public confidence in the voting process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regulating Campaign Practices:<\/strong> Enforcing stricter penalties for hate speech, misinformation, and unethical practices can promote fair and issue-based campaigning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>One Nation, One Election:<\/strong> Concerns about its impact on federalism and regional representation persist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e4e4e4\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"253\" height=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article-324-of-the-constitution.png\" alt=\"article 324 of the constitution\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-39320\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e4e4e4; width:291px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recommendations: Committees &amp; Commissions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990): <\/strong>On election expenses, voter IDs, and transparent political funding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998): <\/strong>Advocated for state funding of elections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vohra Committee (1993): <\/strong>Criminalization of politics and the nexus among criminals, politicians, and bureaucrats in India.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Agencies, including the CBI, IB, RAW, had unanimously expressed their opinion that the criminal network was virtually running a parallel government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>244th Report of Law Commission of India: <\/strong>It said that in the 10 years since 2004, 18% of the candidates contesting either national or State elections had criminal cases against them (extensive criminal backgrounds).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ram Nath Kovind Panel:<\/strong> It suggested 15 amendments including <strong>insertion of a new Article 82A and Amendment of Article 327.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was supported by the Election Commission in 1983 itself.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>TS Krishnamoorthy<\/strong>: It has suggested a<strong> \u2018National Election Fund\u2019 <\/strong>as an alternative for election funding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Electoral reforms are not just necessary but urgent to safeguard the democratic fabric of India.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By addressing systemic challenges and ensuring transparency, accountability, and inclusivity, these reforms can strengthen public trust in the electoral process.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A collaborative effort involving the Election Commission, political parties, and civil society is essential to realize the vision of a truly representative democracy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/why-are-electoral-reforms-necessary-explained\/article69340154.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Source: TH<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In India, the need for electoral reforms has become increasingly evident to address challenges such as voter fraud, criminalization of politics, and the influence of money power.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39317"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39322,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39317\/revisions\/39322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}