Reviewing electoral system

After the din and dust of the Maha election for the Maharashtra assembly concluded with declaration of results, the INDIA bloc raised allegations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering and reignited demands for a return to paper ballots and questioning the integrity of the electoral process. However, such allegations often lack substantiation which have become a perennial issue of selective grievances by parties who rarely question election outcomes when victorious. Leaving aside this habit of crying wolf, what is of utmost concern over India’s elections, which though robust in many respects, face critical challenges that require urgent attention. Chief among these is the conduct of elections and the misuse of power by ruling parties. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC), designed to ensure fair play, comes into sharp focus. The recent elections seem to indicate that the ECI has scheduled polls in such a way as to delay the announcement in some states in order to facilitate the ruling party in announcing a series of sops to electorate. Another area that should be noted is that political parties should be mandated to disclose the financial implications of promises made during campaigns. Freebies, often disguised as welfare schemes, have become a dominant tool to sway voters. Worse is the sops regarding reservation quotas and other benefits for specific communities. Similarly, caste and communal polarization during elections must be addressed decisively, as these tactics corrode the fabric of a pluralistic society. While welfare policies are essential, there is a fine line between genuine policy initiatives and vote-buying tactics. A clear demarcation between policy-based initiatives and electoral allurements is vital. Another pressing issue is the criminalization of politics. Allowing individuals with criminal records to contest elections undermines democracy and erodes public trust in governance. Convicted candidates should be permanently barred from contesting elections. Furthermore, individuals facing criminal charges should be ineligible until cleared by the judiciary. Unfortunately, many political parties prioritize candidates’ “winability” and financial contributions over their ethical standing, perpetuating this issue. Further, the misuse of government machinery and agencies during elections by ruling parties remains a significant concern. From leveraging constitutional positions to deploying state resources for political gains, such practices violate the spirit of democracy. Recent parliamentary and assembly elections highlighted both the vibrancy and vulnerabilities of India’s democratic process. While the results showcased the electorate’s decisiveness, the recurring issues of allegations, misuse of power, and structural flaws in the electoral system demand introspection. Strengthening the MCC, curbing the criminalization of politics, and ensuring accountability for electoral promises are critical steps towards safeguarding India’s democracy from systemic erosion. Reforms to the Election Commission of India (ECI) also warrant attention. The ECI should be fortified by ensuring equal constitutional safeguards for all Election Commissioners, akin to those enjoyed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). Furthermore, the process of appointing Election Commissioners and the CEC should be consultative, involving a broader spectrum of stakeholders such as the prime minister, the leader of opposition and the chief justice of India. Establishing a permanent, independent Secretariat for the ECI would further bolster its institutional independence and operational efficiency. Addressing another electoral concern, the Law Commission has proposed disallowing independent candidates from contesting elections. Many such candidates are perceived as non-serious or dummy contenders who create confusion among voters by fielding candidates with similar names.