Current elections in Haryana and Maharashtra have as soon as once more been marred by typically repeated criticism over the rising use of cash and abuse of digital voting machines (EVMs). These allegations have impacted public belief within the electoral course of, elevating considerations in regards to the integrity of the world’s largest democracy. They underscore the pressing want for complete reforms to maintain religion in elections. As BR Ambedkar aptly remarked, “Democracy is not merely a form of government. It is essentially an attitude of respect and reverence towards fellow men.”
By embracing systemic reforms and strengthening current establishments, we are able to be certain that elections stay a mirrored image of the folks’s will and a real celebration of democracy. (Representational photograph)
Over time, elections in India have turn out to be extravagant workout routines, with candidates spending monumental sums to affect voters. Practices similar to “note-for-vote”, the distribution of presents, and aggressive media campaigns have turn out to be pervasive. Although the Election Fee of India (ECI) imposes spending limits individually for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, these limits are sometimes seen as unrealistic. Resultantly, there may be alleged widespread underreporting of expenditures and the proliferation of unaccounted funds, generally referred to as black cash.
Recalibrate methods
The rise {of professional} marketing campaign companies has additional exacerbated the difficulty. These companies leverage knowledge analytics and behavioural insights to craft narratives tailor-made to voters, however in doing so, they typically prioritise advertising methods over substantive coverage discussions. This pattern marginalises smaller events and unbiased candidates who lack the monetary sources to compete, distorting the democratic taking part in subject.
A better examination of current victories in Haryana and Maharashtra means that the outcomes had been much less about technological flaws and extra of high-pitched campaigns orchestrated by skilled strategists and dream retailers. These campaigns had been meticulously designed utilizing insights, although not absolutely proof primarily based and psychological techniques that resonated with voters on emotional and aspirational ranges, typically on the expense of floor realities. The overwhelming concentrate on promoting a dream, ignoring urgent native points, left voters disconnected from their instant wants. The outcomes, which defied predictions by pollsters and psephologists, mirrored the affect of such campaigns, underscoring the necessity to recalibrate electoral methods towards substantive and issue-based debates somewhat than commercially pushed optics.
Disclosure of donations
This unabated commercialisation additionally has broader implications for governance. Candidates typically prioritise recovering marketing campaign expenditures over addressing public welfare, fostering corruption, and diluting the very essence of democracy. The Illustration of the Folks Act (RPA), 1951, which governs electoral processes, primarily addresses procedural points however fails to sort out systemic points, similar to extreme spending and opaque funding. Political donations beneath ₹20,000 stay nameless, enabling vital sums to flee scrutiny. The electoral bond scheme, meant to reinforce transparency, confronted criticism for sustaining donor secrecy and disproportionately benefiting ruling events. Furthermore, the ECI lacks the authority to penalise overspending successfully, whereas the mannequin code of conduct (MCC), although efficient, stays a voluntary guideline with out authorized enforceability.
Authorized and constitutional reforms and governance are wanted to deal with these challenges. Political financing requires higher transparency. The RPA must be amended to mandate full disclosure of all donations, together with these beneath ₹20,000, and a reformed electoral bond scheme should be certain that donor identities are publicly accessible.
Introducing public funding for elections is one other crucial reform. Funds could possibly be allotted to political events primarily based on previous efficiency, similar to vote share, as practised in nations like Germany. It could cut back candidates’ reliance on non-public donors and stage the taking part in subject for smaller events. Marketing campaign expenditure limits ought to replicate upon precise prices, and the ECI must be empowered to conduct rigorous audits utilizing real-time monitoring applied sciences.
Inside democracy of events
Inside democracy inside political events is equally essential. Events must be required to carry clear inside elections for management and candidate choice, guaranteeing grassroots participation and lowering the dominance of money-driven nominations.
To handle electoral malpractices successfully, specialised fast-track courts ought to adjudicate circumstances of vote-buying, misuse of presidency equipment, and different violations. The MCC must be made a legally enforceable code, holding events and candidates accountable for his or her conduct throughout elections.
Proposals for structural modifications, similar to One Nation, One Election, and a presidential system of governance, are additionally mentioned within the context of electoral reforms. The concept of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies goals to cut back poll-related prices and guarantee governance stability. Potential advantages embrace value effectivity, decreased voter fatigue, and uninterrupted governance. Nevertheless, the proposal poses challenges. Aligning state and nationwide election cycles might undermine federalism, a cornerstone of India’s political system. Logistical complexities and the chance of elevated byelections additional complicate its feasibility.
The suggestion to transition to a presidential system, the place the chief is immediately elected, is one other debated reform. Advocates argue that this mannequin ensures decisive management and reduces coalition politics, whereas the separation of powers enhances accountability. Nevertheless, in a various and pluralistic nation like India, such centralisation dangers undermining federal autonomy and weakening inclusivity. Transitioning to a presidential system would additionally require a whole overhaul of the Structure, leading to political and authorized upheaval.
Fairly than adopting radical structural modifications, the focused reforms ought to stay inside the current parliamentary framework. Regulating the position of marketing campaign companies by moral pointers and price caps can forestall undue commercialisation. Voter consciousness campaigns should emphasise the significance of issue-based voting to counter the affect of cash and propaganda. Stricter penalties for violations similar to overspending, vote-buying, and misuse of presidency sources can act as efficient deterrents.
Cue from international practices
Some international practices can even information the reforms. For instance, Sweden’s stringent transparency legal guidelines guarantee clear elections, whereas Brazil’s ban on company donations to political events curbs the affect of cash. The electoral governance must be exemplary, displaying robust management below the direct oversight of the Supreme Court docket.
India’s electoral system, although sturdy, is more and more susceptible to the corrosive results of cash and muscle energy. Complete reforms, starting from stricter laws on political financing to enhanced inside democracy inside events, are important to uphold the integrity of elections. Whereas proposals like One Nation, One Election, and a presidential system current alternate options, they could not align with India’s distinctive federal and parliamentary character. As Mahatma Gandhi as soon as remarked, “The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires a change of heart.”
Suresh Kumar. (HT file photograph)
The author is a retired Punjab-cadre IAS officer. Views expressed are private.