Election Commission of India : Electoral Reforms

Electoral Reforms by the Election Commission of India (ECI)

Electoral reforms are crucial to ensuring the integrity, transparency, and fairness of the democratic process in India. Over the years, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced several reforms to improve the electoral system and address challenges such as electoral malpractices, voter participation, and the regulation of political parties and candidates. The goal of these reforms is to enhance the credibility and inclusiveness of elections in India.

Key Electoral Reforms Introduced by the ECI

1. Introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)

• First introduced in 1982 and used nationwide since 2004, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have replaced the traditional paper ballot system to reduce the risk of electoral fraud, such as rigging and booth capturing.
• EVMs have increased the speed of counting votes and made elections more efficient. The machines are designed to prevent duplicate voting and maintain the secrecy of the ballot.

2. Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)

• To increase transparency and counter concerns about the accuracy of EVMs, the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system was introduced in 2013.
• VVPAT allows voters to verify their vote by providing a paper slip that shows the symbol of the candidate they voted for, adding an extra layer of verification.
• Since 2019, VVPATs have been used in all polling stations for Lok Sabha and state elections, further strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.

3. Introduction of NOTA (None of the Above)

• In 2013, the Supreme Court of India directed the ECI to introduce the NOTA (None of the Above) option on EVMs.
• NOTA allows voters to express dissatisfaction with all contesting candidates and reject all options without abstaining from voting.
• While NOTA votes do not impact election outcomes, it reflects the voice of dissent and pushes political parties to field better candidates.

4. Model Code of Conduct (MCC)

• The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines issued by the ECI to political parties, candidates, and governments to ensure free and fair elections.
• The MCC comes into effect from the day elections are announced and remains in force until the election process is completed.
• The code prevents the ruling party from using government resources or announcing new projects for electoral gains and prohibits hate speech, vote-buying, and other electoral malpractices.

5. Ceiling on Election Expenditure

• To curb the influence of money in elections, the ECI has imposed limits on election expenditure by candidates.
• In 2020, the expenditure limits for Lok Sabha elections were revised to ₹95 lakh in larger states and ₹75 lakh in smaller states and Union Territories. For Assembly elections, the limits were set at ₹40 lakh and ₹28 lakh, respectively.
• These limits help promote a level playing field by preventing wealthy candidates or parties from outspending their competitors, although enforcement remains challenging.

6. Registration and Regulation of Political Parties

• The ECI is responsible for registering new political parties and regulating existing ones.
• Political parties must meet certain criteria (such as the number of votes secured in previous elections) to receive recognition as national or state parties and to access privileges like a permanent election symbol.
• Reforms have been introduced to de-register inactive parties and ensure stricter financial transparency regarding party donations and expenditures.

7. Criminalization of Politics:

• To address the increasing trend of criminal elements entering politics, the ECI has sought reforms related to the disqualification of candidates with criminal records.
• The Supreme Court has directed political parties to publish details of candidates with pending criminal cases on their websites and social media platforms, including the nature of offenses and reasons for selecting such candidates.
• The ECI has also recommended barring candidates with serious criminal charges from contesting elections, though this has not yet been fully implemented.

8. Election Awareness and Voter Education (SVEEP)

• To enhance voter participation and reduce voter apathy, the ECI launched the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program.
• SVEEP campaigns educate voters about their rights, the importance of voting, and the electoral process. The program particularly targets first-time voters, women, and marginalized sections of society.
• Through media campaigns, school programs, and community outreach, SVEEP has played a vital role in boosting voter turnout in recent elections.

9. Voting Rights for Overseas Indians

• In 2010, the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act gave Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) the right to vote in Indian elections.
• NRIs can now register as voters and cast their ballots if they are present in India on polling day.
• There have been ongoing discussions to introduce proxy voting or online voting to facilitate greater participation of NRIs in elections without requiring them to be physically present.

10. Booth-Level Officers (BLOs)

• The introduction of Booth-Level Officers (BLOs) has improved voter registration and reduced errors in the electoral rolls.
• BLOs are local government officials appointed to manage a specific polling booth. They assist in updating voter lists, verifying the identity of voters, and ensuring the accurate inclusion of eligible voters.
• This reform has helped to maintain more accurate and up-to-date electoral rolls.

11. Introduction of Postal Ballot for Certain Voters

• The ECI has introduced postal ballots to make voting more accessible to certain categories of voters, including:
  • Service voters (members of the armed forces)
  • Government officials on election duty
  • Persons with disabilities and senior citizens (above 80 years) who find it difficult to visit polling stations
• Postal voting enables these categories to exercise their voting rights without being physically present at polling stations.

12. Efforts to Decriminalize Politics

• The ECI has consistently advocated for stricter measures to curb the criminalization of politics. One of its key recommendations is to disqualify candidates with criminal cases pending against them. However, this reform has faced resistance from political parties.
• The Supreme Court has made it mandatory for political parties to disclose the criminal records of their candidates and explain why they were chosen despite their criminal backgrounds.

13. Reforms in Campaign Finance

• The ECI has emphasized the need for transparency in campaign finance. This includes:
  • Limiting anonymous donations: Political parties are required to disclose details of donations above a certain threshold (₹20,000).
  • Proposing state funding of elections to reduce dependence on corporate donations and black money.
  • The introduction of the Electoral Bonds scheme has sought to create transparency in political donations, although its effectiveness remains a topic of debate.

14. Introduction of cVIGIL App

• In 2018, the ECI introduced the cVIGIL mobile app, which allows citizens to report violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) or other election-related irregularities during campaigns.
• The app promotes real-time reporting of incidents, enabling the ECI to take swift action against malpractices.

15. One Nation, One Election (Ongoing Debate)

• The concept of “One Nation, One Election” refers to holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies to reduce the cost of elections and minimize the disruption caused by frequent polls.
• While this proposal is still under discussion and has not been implemented, the ECI has expressed its support for the idea, citing that it could make governance more efficient and reduce election fatigue among voters.

Conclusion:

The Election Commission of India has implemented several important reforms to make the electoral process more transparent, inclusive, and efficient. While significant progress has been made, challenges remain, particularly in areas like criminalization of politics, campaign finance regulation, and vote-buying. The ECI continues to play a vital role in ensuring the democratic integrity of India’s elections through ongoing electoral reforms and initiatives.