Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Start your answer by introducing present scenario of election in India.
• Discuss challenges related to elections in India.
• Discuss measures that are undertaken and suggest some other measures to resolve these issues.
• Conclude accordingly.

Introduction

• India is a vibrant democracy with people electing their representatives at several levels beginning from local bodies & panchayats to the Parliament.
• Elections in India (world’s largest democracy) seek overwhelming popular participation, where electoral candidates try to woo the voters by promising long-term reforms, such as better governance, greater socioeconomic equity, poverty alleviation, etc.
  • However, corrupt politicians with criminal records, caste- and religion-based politics, and allegations of vote-buying, have defeated the very purpose of such democratic process.

Body

• India’s political culture has been vitiated by unprecedented waves of populism, jingoism, sectarianism and confrontational politics.
• Challenges Related to Elections in India:
  • Money Power & Freebies:
    • Expenditure: There are three drivers of expenditure in elections viz. legitimate electioneering cost, party running cost, and TV airtime cost.
      • However, the accounted legitimate expenditure is a mere percentage of actual spending by the candidate and their corresponding political parties.
    • Vote-buying: The rise of illegitimate expenditure on vote-buying has become a matter of great concern as it is making only the rich to be more qualified to become an MP (Member of Parliament) or an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) over a well-qualified public-spirited person.
      • As can be seen, out of 533 candidates elected to the 17th Lok Sabha (2019-present), 475 Parliamentarians (accounting for 88%) are ‘crorepatis’.
    • Freebies: Ranging from rice at cheapest rates to laptops & bicycles etc.
  • Paid News:
    • Paid news is any news or analysis appearing in any media (Print and Electronic) for a price in cash or kind. An issue like Paid News disrupts the level playing field and circumvents the election expenditure limits.
  • Criminalization of Politics:
    • It refers to a situation in which the anti-social elements enter the electoral process by contesting elections, getting elected to the legislature, and consequently occupying public offices.
    • Flaws in the Criminal Justice System:
      • In India, an accused is presumed to be innocent unless pronounced guilty by the Courts. The rate of conviction for politicians is abysmally low, with just 6% in criminal cases.
    • Caste-based Politics:
      • Caste politics in the last three decades have been marked by the desire for power on the caste-lines rather than a substantial agenda for social reform of the downtrodden.
• Measures Undertaken by the Government:
  • Legislative Measures:
    • Limit on spending of candidate:
      • At present, under Rule 90 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, a candidate contesting Lok Sabha polls can spend up to ₹70 lakh and in an assembly election up to ₹28 lakh, depending on the state in which s/he is contesting polls.
  • Measures by Election Commission of India (ECI):
    • Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System (PPRTMS):
      • To allow an applicant to track the progress of his/her application.
    • Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation Programme (SVEEP):
      • ECI organizes voter awareness campaigns in order to educate the voters.
  • Measures by Judiciary:
    • Supreme Court in following cases recommended various reforms:
      • In Union of India versus Association of Democratic Reforms 2002 case:
        • Contesting candidates need to disclose all their assets and liabilities, criminal convictions, etc. at the time of filing their nomination paper.
      • In Ramesh Dalal versus Union of India 2005 case:
        • A legislator is disqualified from contesting elections if, on the day of filing the nomination papers, he/she stands convicted in a Court of law.
      • In Lily Thomas versus Union of India 2013 case:
        • The nature of disqualification for being a member of the House as provided under Article 101(3) & 190(3) is automatic and takes place with immediate effect.
      • In People’s Union of Civil Liberties versus Union of India 2013 case:
        • Voters enjoy “Right to Negative Vote” in the election process and directed the ECI to include the choice of “NOTA” in the ballot paper.
• Needed Measures:
  • Legislative Reforms:
    • State Funding of Elections: System in which the State bears the election expenditure of political parties that are contesting elections. This can bring transparency in the funding process as public finance can limit the influence of interested donors’ money and thereby help curb corruption.
  • At Party Level:
    • Limit on Party Expenditure:
      • There must be a limit on the expenditure of the party and must be made public before the actual date of elections.
      • Consequently, audit of political parties' accounts must be conducted in order to make them accountable.
  • At Voter’s Level:
    • Voters need to be educated regarding the significance of their vote. They should be made aware & well-informed about the candidate they seek to vote, thereby rejecting those who try to entice them with freebies.

Conclusion

Overall, it is clear that electoral reform is necessary in order to address the challenges related to elections in India and ensure that the electoral process is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.