To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (250 words)
In 2016, the Election Commission of India proposed several electoral reforms to address challenges in the electoral process, aiming to strengthen democracy, reduce corruption, and improve citizen participation.
- Ceiling for political parties’ expenditure: The Election Commission proposed setting a limit on the amount political parties can spend during election campaigns to curb the influence of money in elections.
- State funding of political parties: The proposal suggests considering state funding of political parties to reduce their dependence on private donations and promote transparency in political financing.
- Reducing corruption: The reforms aim to minimize corruption in the electoral process by enhancing transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the system.
- Strengthening democracy: The proposed reforms seek to strengthen democracy by ensuring free and fair elections, promoting clean politics, and fostering an inclusive political environment.
- Better citizen participation: The reforms aim to encourage greater citizen participation in the electoral process by addressing issues such as voter apathy, lack of awareness, and barriers to voting.
- Introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs): EVMs were introduced to replace paper ballots, reducing electoral fraud and making elections fairer, safer, and more competitive.
- Addressing money power in elections: The integrity of India’s democracy is challenged by the influence of money in elections, and the proposed reforms aim to tackle this issue.
In conclusion, the suggested electoral reforms in India are significant in making democracy successful by addressing key challenges and promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in the electoral process.
