Electoral Reforms in India

Electoral reforms refer to changes in the electoral system aimed at ensuring the integrity, transparency, and fairness of elections.

Why are Electoral Reforms Necessary?
Electoral reforms are critical for maintaining the credibility of elections and ensuring that every vote counts. These reforms address various issues in the electoral process, such as:

• Ensuring Free and Fair Elections (Article 324): Reforms aim to tackle electoral malpractices and ensure that elections are free and fair.
  
• Increasing Voter Participation: These reforms focus on boosting voter turnout and addressing challenges like voter apathy and accessibility to polling stations.
  
• Reducing the Influence of Money and Muscle Power: Reforms work to curb the influence of money and muscle power by regulating campaign finance and ensuring voter safety.
  
• Promoting Transparency and Accountability: Electoral reforms introduce measures like mandatory disclosure of criminal records by candidates and the use of technology to monitor elections.
  
• Addressing Electoral Inequalities: Reforms aim to reduce the under-representation of marginalized communities, including women.
  

Electoral Reforms Implemented Since Independence

Reforms Before 1996:

• Increase in the Number of Proposers (1988): The number of proposers for nominations to the Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Council was increased to 10% of the electors or ten electors, whichever is smaller.
  
• Lowering of Voting Age (1988): The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years, enabling youth participation in the political process.
  
• Booth Capturing (1989): Provisions were introduced to adjourn polls or countermand elections in cases of booth capturing.
  
• Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs): EVMs were first used in Kerala in 1982 and later expanded to all 543 Parliamentary constituencies in 2004.
  

Electoral Reforms of 1996:
Following recommendations from the Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990), several reforms were introduced:

• Listing of Candidates: Candidates were categorized as those from recognized political parties, registered-unrecognized political parties, or independent candidates.
  
• Disqualification under Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act: Individuals convicted under this Act were disqualified from contesting elections for six years.
  
• Number of Proposers: A candidate not sponsored by a recognized party needed 10 registered electors as proposers.
  
• Restriction on Contesting Multiple Seats: Candidates were prohibited from contesting from more than two constituencies.
  

Electoral Reforms After 1996:

• Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections (1997): The number of proposers and seconders for presidential elections was raised from 10 to 50, and for vice-presidential elections from 5 to 20.
  
• Declaration of Criminal Antecedents, Assets, etc. (2003): Candidates were mandated to disclose criminal convictions, accusations, assets, and liabilities.
  
• Free Supply of Electoral Rolls (2003): The government was required to provide free copies of electoral rolls to candidates from recognized political parties.
  
• Party Contributions Reporting (2003): Political parties were required to report contributions exceeding ₹20,000 to the Election Commission for tax relief claims.
  
• Allocation of Media Time (2003): The Election Commission ensured equitable time for political parties on cable TV and electronic media based on past performance.
  

Electoral Reforms Since 2010:

• Exit Poll Restrictions (2009): Exit polls were prohibited during Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections.
  
• Time Limit for Disqualification Cases (2009): A three-month limit was set for submitting cases of disqualified candidates due to corrupt practices.
  
• Increase in Security Deposit (2009): The security deposit for Lok Sabha candidates was raised from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.
  
• Appellate Authority (2009): An appellate authority was set up within districts for appeals against Electoral Registration Officer decisions.
  
• Jailed Candidates Allowed (2013): The Representation of the People Act, 1951, was amended to allow individuals in jail or police custody to contest elections.
  
• Immediate Disqualification of Convicted MPs/MLAs (2013): The Supreme Court ruled that MPs and MLAs convicted of crimes would be immediately disqualified without a three-month appeal period.
  
• Cash Donations Limit (2017): The budget lowered the ceiling on anonymous cash donations to political parties from ₹20,000 to ₹2,000.
  
• Removal of Cap on Corporate Contributions (2017): The 2017 budget removed the limit on corporate donations to political parties.
  
• Electoral Bonds (2018): Electoral bonds were introduced as a cleaner alternative to cash donations, aimed at increasing transparency in political funding.
  
• Foreign Funding Allowed: Political parties were permitted to accept foreign funds following an amendment to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.
  

Reforms Recommended by the Election Commission of India (ECI):
The Election Commission has suggested several reforms to improve the electoral process:

• Prohibition on Contesting Multiple Seats: A person should not be allowed to contest from more than one constituency.
  
• Lifetime Ban for Convicted Politicians: The Commission supports a lifetime ban for politicians convicted of crimes to decriminalize politics.
  
• Prohibition on Government Advertising: The Commission recommends a six-month ban on government advertisements about achievements before elections.
  
• Protection for Election Commissioners: The Commission proposes providing Election Commissioners the same protection from removal as the Chief Election Commissioner.
  
• Anti-Defection Decisions: The Commission suggests that anti-defection decisions should be made by the President or Governor with Election Commission recommendations.
  
• Common Electoral Rolls: The Commission advocates for using a common electoral roll for elections conducted by both the Election Commission and State Election Commissions.
  
• False Declarations as Offenses: The Commission proposes making false declarations during elections an offense.
  
• Rule-Making Authority to the ECI: The Commission recommends transferring rule-making authority under the Representation of the People Acts to the Election Commission.
  

These reforms aim to strengthen India’s electoral system, ensuring it is more transparent, accountable, and fair.