Electoral Reforms in India: Key Changes Shaping Democracy – (Part 01)

Electoral reforms in India have been significantly influenced by various committees and commissions over the years. Notable among these are the Dinesh Goswami Committee, Vohra Committee, Indrajit Gupta Committee, and the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, among others. These committees have made critical recommendations that have led to substantial changes in the electoral process, aiming to enhance the transparency, fairness, and efficiency of elections in India.

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Electoral Reforms in India: An Overview

Committees and Their Contributions

Various committees have been constituted to examine our electoral system. Some of these committees are:

• Dinesh Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms in 1990
• Vohra Committee on the Nexus between Crime and Politics in 1993
• Indrajit Gupta Committee on State Funding of Elections in 1998
• National Commission to review the Working of the Constitution (2000-2002), headed by M.N. Venkatachaliah
• Second Administrative Reforms Commission of India Report on Ethics in Governance (2007) headed by Veerappa Moily
• J.S. Verma Committee on Amendment to Criminal Laws in 2014
• Law Commission of India 244th Report on Electoral Disqualifications (2014)
• Law Commission of India 255th Report on Electoral Reforms (2015)

Various reforms have been introduced in our electoral system based on the recommendations of these committees.

Electoral Reforms before 1996

Electronic Voting Machines (EVM)	First-time use of EVMs occurred in the general election in Kerala in May 1982. But due to the absence of any specific law prescribing its use, the SC struck down that election. In 1989, the Parliament amended the RPA,1951 to introduce a provision for the use of EVMs. In 1999, they were used for the first time in the general elections (entire state) to the Assembly of Goa. In 2004, in the General Election to the Lok Sabha, the EVMs were used in all 543 Parliamentary Constituencies in the country.
Lowering of Voting Age	By the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988 voting age was reduced from 21 years to 18 years for the Lok Sabha as well as the assembly elections to make youth a part of the political process.
Increase in the number of proposers-	The number of proposers in nomination papers for elections of the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assembly was increased to 10 percent of the electors of the constituency or ten such electors, whichever was less in the year 1988. This was done in order to prevent non-serious candidates from frivolous manners.
Booth capturing	A provision was made for the adjournment of polls or countermanding of elections in case of booth capturing in the year 1989.
Personnel under the supervision of Election Commission	The officers and staff engaged in the electoral process are deemed to be on deputation to the ECI for the period of such employment. These personnel, during that period, would be under the control, superintendence and discipline of the Election Commission.
Elector’s Photo Identity Card(EPIC)	In 1993, a decision was made to issue photo identity cards to electors throughout the country to check bogus voting and impersonation of electors. January 1st was fixed as the date of revision of electoral rolls. Every citizen who attains the age of 18 years or above as on that date is eligible for inclusion.

Electoral Reforms of 1996

As recommended by the Dinesh Goswami Committee following reforms were undertaken:

Listing of Names of Candidates	The candidates who are contesting the elections are to be classified into three categories for the purpose of listing their names and they are they are Candidates of Recognised political parties. Candidates of registered-unrecognised political parties Other Candidates which contest as independent.
Disqualification under Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act of 1971	A person shall be disqualified to contest the elections to the Parliament and the State Legislatures for 6 years if he has been convicted for the following offences: Offence of insulting the National Flag Offence of insulting the Constitution of India Offence of preventing the singing of the National Anthem.
Restriction to two constituencies for the Contestants	A candidate shall be ineligible if he is contesting the elections from more than two Parliamentary/assembly constituencies at general or bye-elections and Rajya sabha/State legislative council.
Number of proposers	The nomination of a candidate in a Parliamentary or Assembly constituency should be subscribed by 10 registered electors of the constituency as proposers if the candidate is not sponsored by a recognized political party. Only one proposer is required if the candidate is sponsored by a recognised political party.
Prohibition on the Sale of Liquor	Ban on the sale of liquor or any other intoxicants for a period of 48 hours which ends with the end of the poll.
Prohibition of Arms	Carrying arms in the neighborhood of the polling station is a cognizable offence.
Time-Limit for Bye-Election	Bye-election shall be held within a period of six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy, except in the following two cases- If the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is less than one year, then a bye-poll need not be held. If it has been certified by the Election Commission (in consultation with the central government) that it is difficult to conduct a by-election within the said period.
Effective Campaigning Period Reduced	The minimum time period between the last date for withdrawal of candidature and the polling date is reduced from 20 to 14 days.

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Conclusion

India’s electoral system has undergone numerous reforms, addressing issues such as the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), lowering the voting age, increasing the number of proposers for candidates, and measures to curb booth capturing.

• The implementation of these reforms has been pivotal in ensuring a more democratic and participative electoral process.
• Ongoing efforts to refine and improve the system reflect the nation’s commitment to maintaining the integrity and credibility of its democratic institutions.

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