Electoral reforms refer to the deliberate changes made to improve the fairness, transparency, inclusiveness, and efficiency of the electoral process in a democratic country. In India, where democracy functions through regular elections, electoral reforms are critical for ensuring free and fair elections, preventing malpractices, improving voter participation, and strengthening democratic institutions. Since independence, India has undertaken several electoral reforms, some through constitutional and legal amendments, and others through administrative and procedural changes by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
What Are Electoral Reforms?
Electoral reforms encompass a wide range of modifications in the electoral process, which may include:
- Legal and constitutional changes to the Representation of the People Act, election rules, or the Constitution itself.
- Institutional changes, such as strengthening the autonomy and functioning of the Election Commission.
- Technological innovations, like the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).
- Regulatory measures to control money and muscle power in elections.
- Voter education and awareness programs to increase participation.
- Ensuring fair representation, such as through reservations for women and minorities.
Major Electoral Reforms in India:
1. Introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs):
- EVMs were first used on a trial basis in 1982 and became widely adopted by 2004.
- They have helped reduce vote rigging and ensure faster counting of votes.
- Later, VVPATs were introduced to improve transparency and allow voters to verify their votes.
2. Curbing Criminalization of Politics:
- One of the major issues in Indian elections has been the growing criminalization of politics.
- In 2002, the Supreme Court ruled that candidates must disclose their criminal records, assets, liabilities, and educational qualifications while filing nomination papers.
- Despite this, many candidates with pending criminal cases still contest elections, prompting further demands for stricter disqualification rules.
3. Regulation of Election Expenditure:
- There are legal limits on how much a candidate can spend on elections (e.g., ₹70 lakhs for Lok Sabha candidates in most states).
- The use of black money has remained a concern, leading to the introduction of measures like:
- Mandatory filing of election expenditure reports.
- Monitoring by Election Expenditure Observers.
- Banning corporate donations without disclosure under the Electoral Bonds scheme (though this has faced criticism for lack of transparency).
4. Electoral Bonds Scheme (2018):
- Introduced as a way for individuals and corporations to donate to political parties through banking channels.
- Aimed at curbing black money in political funding.
- However, the scheme has been criticized for promoting anonymous donations, reducing transparency.
5. Voter Registration and Electoral Rolls:
- Continuous updating of electoral rolls has been implemented to reduce errors and duplication.
- The introduction of the National Voter Services Portal (NVSP) has made it easier for citizens to register or update voter details online.
- The use of Aadhaar linking has been proposed to prevent duplicate and fraudulent voter IDs, although it has raised privacy concerns.
6. NOTA (None of the Above) Option:
- Introduced in 2013 following a Supreme Court judgment, NOTA allows voters to reject all candidates.
- It is a symbolic option but does not currently lead to re-elections or disqualifications.
7. Decriminalization and Disqualification Laws:
- The Law Commission and Election Commission have recommended barring candidates from contesting elections once charges are framed in serious criminal cases.
- The Supreme Court, in recent judgments, has asked political parties to publicize the criminal backgrounds of their candidates and justify their selection.
8. Model Code of Conduct (MCC):
- The MCC is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and candidates during elections.
- It covers campaign speeches, polling day conduct, use of government resources, and more.
- Though not legally enforceable, the EC can take action for violations, such as issuing notices or barring leaders from campaigning.
9. Electoral Reforms by Election Commission:
- Launch of SVEEP (Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation) to increase voter awareness and turnout.
- Use of cVIGIL app for citizens to report poll code violations in real-time.
- Improved facilities for postal ballots and voting assistance for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
10. Recommendations Awaiting Implementation:
- Several reforms have been proposed but not yet implemented, such as:
- Simultaneous elections to Parliament and State Assemblies.
- State funding of elections to curb the influence of private donations.
- Proportional representation instead of first-past-the-post to ensure fairer representation.
- Reservation for women in legislatures (Women’s Reservation Bill passed in 2023 but implementation is pending).
Conclusion:
Electoral reforms in India have significantly improved the electoral system over the decades, making it more robust, transparent, and inclusive. However, challenges like criminalization of politics, the influence of money power, low voter turnout in urban areas, and lack of transparency in political funding still persist. Continuous reform, driven by public awareness, judicial activism, and institutional will, is essential to uphold the democratic ideals enshrined in the Constitution. A truly representative and participatory democracy can only thrive when the electoral process is perceived as free, fair, and trustworthy by all citizens.