Report - Elcetoral Reforms
Report - Elcetoral Reforms
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.
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.