Electoral reform in India
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A number of measures has been suggested to improvise and strengthen the existing electoral practices in India.
Proposals
A few of the proposals related to electoral reforms in India include:
MLA or MP only for 2 terms, and Retirement Age limit for Executive posts
No one can be elected as an MLA or MP for more than 2 terms (10 years). Also No one should hold executive posts (Ministerial posts) if the age is above retirement age of 60.
NOTA
Main Article: NOTA in Indian Elections
Totalizer
Main Article: Totaliser
Simultaneous Elections
Main Article: One Nation, One Election
There has been discussions and consultations about conducting national and state legislature elections simultaneously [1] [2].
Transparency in funding of political parties
The necessity for transparency in financial accounts of political parties and political donations have been in discussion. [3] Political parties must be pulled under the ambit of RTI act.
Decriminalization of politics
There must be some rules to stop contesting in an election for the candidates having a criminal background.
Online Voting
Online voting must be encouraged to increase the percentage of voting during election.
See also:
Concerns with Electronic Voting,
Security issues related to EVMs in India,
Booth Capturing,
Tampering with EVMs.
Paid News and Prediction Polls
Candidates to contest from a single seat
Currently, candidates are allowed to contest elections simultaneously from two seats.[4] If a candidate wins from both the seats, a by-election happens. This requires additional expenditure, resources and participation of many. A by-election that happens this way is also an indication of a lack of respect towards the citizens of that constituency. There has thus been suggestions of allowing candidates to contest only from a single seat[5].
Benefits
It is expected that electoral reforms will contribute to better participation of the citizens in electoral practices, reduce corruption and strengthen democracy in India.[6]
More than 3000 crores were spent by the government for conducting the 2014 Loksabha elections[7].
References
- ↑ http://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in/SE-Summary.pdf
- ↑ http://164.100.47.5/newcommittee/reports/EnglishCommittees/Committee%20on%20Personnel,%20PublicGrievances,%20Law%20and%20Justice/79.pdf
- ↑ http://www.civilsdaily.com/story/electoral-reforms-in-india/
- ↑ http://www.lawmin.nic.in/legislative/election/volume%201/representation%20of%20the%20people%20act,%201951.pdf
- ↑ http://www.gktoday.in/blog/restriction-on-number-of-seats-to-contest-in-elections-in-india/
- ↑ http://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/electoral-reforms-in-india-1437134200-1
- ↑ http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/pocket-book2017-ch8.aspx