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Report - Elcetoral Reforms

The presentation discusses electoral reforms in India aimed at enhancing the democratic process by ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections. Key reforms include the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the lowering of the voting age, and recent initiatives like Aadhaar linking and electoral bonds. Despite these advancements, challenges such as criminalization of politics, voter apathy, and the influence of money power persist, highlighting the need for ongoing reforms and active public participation.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
8 views8 pages

Report - Elcetoral Reforms

The presentation discusses electoral reforms in India aimed at enhancing the democratic process by ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections. Key reforms include the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the lowering of the voting age, and recent initiatives like Aadhaar linking and electoral bonds. Despite these advancements, challenges such as criminalization of politics, voter apathy, and the influence of money power persist, highlighting the need for ongoing reforms and active public participation.

Uploaded by

radhika rai
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies - Technical Campus

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Socio-Economic and Political Ecosystem Lab


BA(JMC) – MDC 156
Activity: Class Presentation
Topic: Electoral Reforms in India
Date: 5th May 2025

Submitted by: Submitted to:


Diksha Beniwal (08917702424) Dr. Ravi Chaturvedi
Tanisha Gandhi (10117702424)
Prisha Goel (36217702424)
PRESENTATION ON ELECTORAL REFORMS IN INDIA

Introduction
Electoral reforms in India are a series of improvements made to
strengthen the country’s democratic foundations by ensuring that
elections are conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and inclusive
manner. As the world’s largest democracy, India has a massive
electoral machinery that manages elections for the Lok Sabha, State
Assemblies, and local bodies. Despite the successful conduct of
elections since 1951, the system has faced numerous challenges
ranging from electoral malpractices, criminalization of politics, voter
apathy, and the influence of black money. These issues have prompted
successive governments, the judiciary, and the Election Commission
of India (ECI) to propose and implement various reforms over the
decades.

Roles and Division of Work


The group collaborated effectively to research, compile, and present
the topic. Diksha Beniwal worked on the historical background and
early electoral reforms, including the lowering of voting age and the
introduction of EVMs. She also contributed to writing the section on
key reforms introduced in the past. Prisha Goel focused on recent and
ongoing reforms such as Aadhaar linking, electoral bonds, and the
proposal for One Nation, One Election, and explained the significance
of technological integration in electoral processes. Tanisha Gandhi
worked on the challenges in the Indian electoral system and the role
of the Election Commission, while also drafting the conclusion and
key learnings. All members contributed equally in researching and
designing the presentation, as well as in editing and finalizing
the written report.
Historical Background and Key Electoral Reforms
Several landmark electoral reforms have been introduced in India
since independence to strengthen democratic processes. One of the
earliest and most significant reforms was the lowering of the voting
age from 21 to 18 years through the 61st Constitutional Amendment
in 1988. This empowered India’s youth and enhanced their role in the
democratic process. Another transformative step was the introduction
of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the late 1990s. These
machines replaced paper ballots and helped curb electoral fraud,
reduce the time of counting votes, and enhance the efficiency of
elections.
Over time, further steps were taken to make the system more
foolproof. Photo voter ID cards and the introduction of photo electoral
rolls helped reduce the possibility of impersonation. The
implementation of the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option in 2013
empowered voters to reject all candidates if they found none suitable,
reflecting the maturity of Indian democracy. More recently, the use of
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines has added a
layer of transparency to the voting process, allowing voters to verify
their choice immediately after casting the vote.

Recent and Ongoing Electoral Reforms


In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on using
technology and legislation to cleanse the electoral process. One of the
most significant ongoing efforts is the linking of Aadhaar with voter
ID cards. This move aims to eliminate bogus or duplicate entries in
electoral rolls and ensure that every eligible citizen is registered only
once. The government also introduced electoral bonds in 2018 to
reform political funding. While this method allows individuals and
companies to donate to political parties through a banking channel,
the anonymity it offers has raised concerns about transparency.
Another key proposal under consideration is the idea of “One Nation,
One Election,” which aims to synchronize elections for the Lok Sabha
and all State Assemblies. Advocates argue that this will reduce the
burden on the exchequer and minimize the disruption of governance
due to frequent elections. Additionally, the Election Commission has
been working on a remote voting system using blockchain technology
to enable internal migrants to vote from their place of work without
having to travel to their home constituencies. If implemented, this will
significantly increase voter turnout and make the process more
inclusive.

Challenges in the Indian Electoral System


Despite these reforms, India’s electoral system continues to face
several deep-rooted challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the
criminalization of politics. A significant number of elected
representatives and candidates contest elections while facing serious
criminal charges. This undermines the credibility of the democratic
system and creates mistrust among the public. Another concern is the
rampant use of money power in elections. Unaccounted political
funding, vote buying, and the use of black money influence electoral
outcomes and favor the wealthy over the deserving.
Voter apathy, especially in urban areas, remains another challenge.
Despite awareness campaigns, many educated and urban voters
refrain from participating in the electoral process, citing
disillusionment or inconvenience. Furthermore, the misuse of social
media during elections has created new hurdles. The rapid spread of
misinformation, propaganda, and hate speech on digital platforms can
polarize voters and distort electoral choices.
Role of the Election Commission of India
The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays a crucial role in
ensuring the smooth conduct of elections. As an autonomous
constitutional body, the ECI is responsible for administering elections
to the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President
and Vice President. It enforces the Model Code of Conduct (MCC),
monitors election expenditures, scrutinizes nominations, and ensures
that elections are conducted in a level playing field. The ECI has also
been instrumental in advocating for several electoral reforms and
recommending legal and administrative changes to the government
for enhancing transparency and fairness in the system.

Conclusion
In conclusion, electoral reforms play a vital role in strengthening the
democratic fabric of India by making the electoral process more
transparent, inclusive, and accountable. While significant progress has
been made through technological and legal reforms, challenges such
as criminalization, money power, and voter apathy still need to be
addressed. Continuous efforts, both from institutions and citizens, are
essential to ensure that India's democracy remains strong, fair, and
representative of the people's will.

Key Learnings
Through the preparation and presentation on the topic Electoral
Reforms of India, our group gained a deeper understanding of how
India’s democratic processes have evolved over time and the crucial
role reforms play in strengthening the electoral system. We learned
that reforms such as the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines
(EVMs), the NOTA option, photo voter IDs, and the VVPAT
mechanism have significantly enhanced transparency and efficiency
in elections. The discussions around Aadhaar-voter ID linkage,
electoral bonds, and the proposal for One Nation, One Election
highlighted the dynamic and evolving nature of electoral challenges in
a large democracy like India. We also recognized the persistent issues
of criminalization of politics, the influence of money power, and voter
apathy, especially among the urban population, which continue to
undermine electoral integrity. The role of the Election Commission of
India stood out as a cornerstone in ensuring free and fair elections,
and its efforts to adopt technology and enforce fair practices were
particularly insightful. Overall, the project emphasized the need for
continuous reforms, active public participation, and institutional
accountability to ensure that Indian democracy remains robust,
inclusive, and transparent.

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