<<–2/”>a >a href=”https://exam.pscnotes.com/democracy/”>Democracy success depends upon the conduct of free and fair Elections. Hence Electoral reforms is must to ensure a vibrant democracy. Reforms are itself dynamic in nature. The electoral reforms can be grouped as under:
- Reforms to cleanse the Electoral System
- Debarring criminally tainted politicians from contesting , fast track courts and special courts
- Checking Money power
- Empowering the EC to de register defunct and dubious parties
- State funding or setting up of National electoral fund
- Reforms to make EC stronger and independent
- Appointment of election commissioners through collegium
- Elevation to CEC on the criteria of seniority
- Protection from removal only through impeachment as available to CEC
- Reforms to make electoral system more efficient
- Introduction of Totalizer machine
- Reforms in Political Parties
- All political parties must compulsorily make public their audited accounts every year.
- Auditing of accounts by CAG
- Scrutiny powers to CAG and CEC
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Electoral reforms are changes to the way elections are conducted. They can be made for a variety of reasons, such as to improve the fairness of elections, to make it easier for people to vote, or to reduce the cost of elections.
There are many different types of electoral reforms that have been proposed or implemented around the world. Some common reforms include:
- Making voter registration automatic. This means that all eligible voters would be automatically registered to vote, unless they opt out. This can help to increase voter turnout by making it easier for people to register to vote.
- Expanding early voting and absentee voting. This means that people would be able to vote before Election Day, either by mail or in person at an early voting location. This can help to make it easier for people to vote, especially those who have busy schedules or who live far from their polling place.
- Making Election Day a national holiday. This would give people the day off from work so that they could vote. This could help to increase voter turnout, especially among working people.
- Making voting more accessible to people with disabilities. This could include providing accessible polling places, accessible voting machines, and bilingual ballots. This can help to ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to vote.
- Reducing the influence of money in politics. This could be done by limiting campaign contributions, by public financing of elections, or by requiring candidates to disclose their donors. This can help to level the playing field for candidates and to reduce the influence of special interests in elections.
- Improving the accuracy of voter registration lists. This could be done by requiring regular updates to voter registration lists and by making it easier for people to correct errors on their voter registration records. This can help to ensure that only eligible voters are registered to vote.
- Making it more difficult to commit voter fraud. This could be done by requiring photo identification to vote or by requiring voters to sign their ballots. This can help to prevent voter fraud and to ensure the Integrity of elections.
- Improving the security of election systems. This could be done by making it more difficult for hackers to access election systems or by requiring paper ballots to be used in addition to electronic voting machines. This can help to protect elections from cyberattacks.
- Making it easier for people to run for office. This could be done by reducing the cost of running for office or by providing more training and support for candidates. This can help to increase the number of people who are willing to run for office.
- Improving the quality of information available to voters. This could be done by requiring candidates to disclose more information about themselves or by providing more objective information about the candidates and the issues. This can help voters to make informed decisions about who to vote for.
- Making it easier for people to hold elected officials accountable. This could be done by making it easier to recall elected officials or by providing more opportunities for people to participate in public hearings and meetings. This can help to ensure that elected officials are responsive to the needs of their constituents.
Electoral reforms are an important part of maintaining a healthy democracy. By making it easier for people to vote, reducing the influence of money in politics, and improving the accuracy and security of elections, we can help to ensure that our elections are fair and representative.
Electoral reforms are changes to the way elections are conducted. They can be made to improve the fairness of elections, to make them more efficient, or to make them more accessible to voters.
Some common electoral reforms include:
- Voting rights reforms: These reforms can expand or restrict who is eligible to vote. For example, some countries have recently extended voting rights to prisoners or people with criminal records.
- Electoral system reforms: These reforms can change the way votes are counted and translated into seats in government. For example, some countries have switched from a First-Past-The-Post System to a Proportional Representation system.
- Campaign finance reforms: These reforms can limit the amount of money that candidates and political parties can spend on campaigns.
- Electoral administration reforms: These reforms can improve the way elections are run, such as by making it easier to register to vote or by increasing the number of polling places.
Electoral reforms are often controversial, as they can have a significant impact on the outcome of elections. However, they can also be an important way to improve the democratic process.
Here are some specific electoral reforms that could be implemented in India:
- One person, one vote: This reform would ensure that every citizen has an equal say in elections. Currently, there are some states in India where the value of a vote is different from the value of a vote in other states. This is because the number of seats in the Lok Sabha that each state is allocated is based on its Population, but the population of each state is not evenly distributed. For example, the Population of Uttar Pradesh is more than 200 million, while the population of Sikkim is less than 700,000. This means that a vote in Uttar Pradesh is worth more than a vote in Sikkim.
- Voting rights for all citizens: This reform would extend voting rights to all citizens, regardless of their age, gender, or religion. Currently, there are some citizens in India who are not allowed to vote, such as prisoners and people with certain mental disabilities.
- Electoral reforms to make voting more accessible: This reform would make it easier for citizens to vote, such as by increasing the number of polling places and extending voting hours. Currently, it can be difficult for some citizens to vote, such as those who live in rural areas or those who have to work during the day.
- Electoral reforms to make voting more transparent: This reform would make it easier for citizens to monitor the electoral process, such as by allowing them to observe the counting of votes. Currently, it is difficult for citizens to know whether the electoral process is being conducted fairly.
- Electoral reforms to make voting more accountable: This reform would make it easier for citizens to hold elected officials accountable, such as by allowing them to recall elected officials who do not perform well. Currently, it is difficult for citizens to remove elected officials from office.
These are just a few examples of electoral reforms that could be implemented in India. Electoral reforms are an important way to improve the democratic process, and it is important to have a discussion about what reforms are needed in India.
Electoral reforms are changes to the way elections are conducted. They can be made to improve the fairness of elections, to make them more efficient, or to make them more accessible to voters.
Some examples of electoral reforms include:
- Voter ID laws: These laws require voters to show identification at the polls. They are intended to prevent voter fraud, but they can also make it more difficult for some people to vote, such as those who do not have a driver’s license or passport.
- Early voting and absentee voting: These Options allow voters to cast their ballots before Election Day. They can make it easier for voters to vote, especially those who have busy schedules or who live in areas with long lines at polling places.
- Online voting: This option allows voters to cast their ballots electronically. It can make voting more convenient, but it also raises concerns about security and fraud.
- Redistricting: This is the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts. It can be used to give one party an advantage in an election, or to make districts more compact and representative of the population.
Electoral reforms are often controversial. Some people believe that they are necessary to protect the integrity of elections, while others believe that they are unnecessary or even harmful.
In Light of the statement “Electoral reforms in a democracy is a continuous process,” here are some additional electoral reforms that could be considered:
- Automatic voter registration: This would register all eligible voters to vote, unless they opt out. It would make it easier for people to vote and would help to ensure that everyone has a voice in elections.
- Same-day registration: This would allow voters to register to vote on the same day that they cast their ballots. It would make it easier for people to vote, especially those who are not able to register in advance.
- Voting by mail: This would allow voters to cast their ballots by mail. It would make it easier for people to vote, especially those who have busy schedules or who live in areas with long lines at polling places.
- Public financing of elections: This would provide funding for candidates from the public treasury, rather than from private donors. It would help to reduce the influence of money in politics and would make it easier for candidates to run for office without having to rely on wealthy donors.
- Ranked-choice voting: This is a voting system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed according to the second-choice preferences on those ballots. This process continues until one candidate has a majority of votes. Ranked-choice voting can help to ensure that the candidate who wins the election is the one who has the support of the majority of voters.
These are just a few examples of electoral reforms that could be considered. There are many other possible reforms, and the best approach will vary depending on the specific circumstances of each country.