| PYQ Relevance[UPSC 2024] Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to ‘one nation-one election’ principle.Linkage: The PYQ directly links to issues of electoral integrity, inducements, MCC violations, and ECI capacity discussed in the article. The article’s focus on phase reduction, money power, and institutional reforms reflects the broader debate on electoral reforms and systemic efficiency. |
Mentor’s Comment
India’s upcoming Assembly elections across five regions are being conducted in just two phases, sharply reduced from eight phases in 2021, indicating improved logistical capacity and confidence in election management. This is significant as elections involving 2.19 lakh polling stations, 17.4 crore voters, and over 25 lakh officials represent one of the largest democratic exercises globally. At the same time, persistent challenges, such as ₹10,000 crore worth of inducements seized in 2024 elections, rising misinformation, deepfakes, and electoral violence risks, highlight a stark contrast between administrative efficiency and ethical erosion in democratic processes.
How has electoral management in India evolved in scale and efficiency?
- Scale of Elections: Ensures participation of 17.4 crore voters across 2.19 lakh polling stations, making it one of the largest democratic exercises globally.
- Administrative Deployment: Facilitates involvement of 25 lakh election officials, 8.5 lakh security personnel, and 49,000 micro-observers, ensuring logistical coverage.
- Geographical Reach: Ensures polling access in remote areas (e.g., officials trekking hours in Tamil Nadu and Kerala; 60 km journeys in Assam crossing rivers).
- Phase Reduction: Strengthens efficiency through reduction from 8 phases (2021) to 2 phases, indicating improved security coordination.
- Technological Integration: Supports credibility via EVM robustness and live webcasting of polling stations.
What are the major challenges posed by the ‘4 Ms’ in elections?
- Money Power: Distorts electoral fairness through inducements; ₹10,000 crore seized in 2024 elections, nearly 3× of 2019 levels.
- Muscle Power: Undermines peaceful voting, especially in politically volatile regions like West Bengal with a history of violence.
- Misinformation: Weakens informed choice through fake narratives, especially via social media platforms.
- Model Code Violations: Challenges regulatory enforcement through appeals to caste, religion, and identity politics.
Why do electoral inducements remain a persistent structural issue?
- Cash Transfers: Influences voters through direct monetary incentives before polls.
- Freebies and Fiscal Populism: Weakens fiscal discipline as manifestos ignore economic sustainability.
- Judicial Limitations: Restricts effective control despite Supreme Court observations on “freebie culture.”
- Enforcement Measures: Strengthens monitoring through flying squads, static surveillance teams, and digital transaction tracking.
- Seizure Data: Indicates scale with ₹400+ crore seized in the first month of recent elections.
How is digital media reshaping electoral regulation challenges?
- Deepfakes: Complicates verification of political messaging in real-time.
- Social Media Ethics: Limits effectiveness of voluntary codes in curbing misinformation.
- Advertisement Restrictions: Ensures control by banning political ads in print media near polling day unless pre-certified.
- Content Monitoring: Strengthens oversight but struggles against rapid dissemination.
- Free Speech Debate: Raises concerns over balancing regulation with democratic freedoms.
What institutional measures has the Election Commission adopted to ensure integrity?
- Section 28A Enforcement: Ensures neutrality by binding officials solely to ECI authority.
- Observer Deployment: Strengthens oversight through 1,100 central observers.
- Security Reforms: Facilitates fair polling via strategic deployment of forces in sensitive areas.
- Electoral Roll Revision (SIR): Enhances accuracy by removing duplicates and updating voter lists.
- SVEEP Programme: Promotes voter awareness and participation through systematic outreach
What is the role of voters in safeguarding electoral democracy?
- Informed Voting: Ensures resistance to inducements and misinformation.
- Civic Responsibility: Strengthens democratic ethos through ethical participation.
- Awareness Programmes: Supports engagement via SVEEP initiatives.
- Inclusivity Measures: Facilitates participation of elderly (85+) and persons with disabilities through home voting.
- Moral Agency: Prevents erosion of democratic values through independent decision-making.
Conclusion
India’s electoral system demonstrates high administrative capacity but faces deep-rooted ethical and regulatory challenges. Strengthening institutional enforcement, regulating digital misinformation, and enhancing voter awareness remain critical for sustaining electoral integrity.
