A Matter of Trust

Context: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has steered India’s electoral history, but there are some concerns showcased in a recent report by Commission on Elections (CCE) titled “An Inquiry into India’s Election System.

Ways in which ECI has steered India’s electoral history: Enriching public faith in the system.

• Successfully conducted the challenging first general elections: building a steel framework by Sukumar Sen (1st ECI)- the success indicates immense public faith in democracy.
  • Constructed the electoral framework from scratch: e.g. had to choose symbols for political parties and sites for polling stations.
  • Wide voter base: 176 million citizens, nearly 85 % of whom were illiterate.
  • Prevented fraud: by introducing indelible ink.
  • Reduced the erasure of women and educated the public about the importance of their votes.
• Successfully held elections regularly irrespective of the circumstances: e.g.  Elections have continued to be held in India during Emergency (1975 – 1977)
• Steel framework was further strengthened: by
  • 10th Election Commissioner (1990-1996) - TN Seshan as ECI.
    • Implemented the model code of conduct: for reining in muscle and monetary power in elections. 
    • Contestants were required to submit full accounts of their expenses for scrutiny.
    • Stringent punishments introduced: for matters like violating polling rules, officials displaying biases towards candidates, promoting religion and caste-based hatred etc.
  • 12th Election Commissioner (2001 - 2004)-  Lyngdoh as ECI.
    • Held strongly that the state election in Gujarat (post riots in 2002) will be held only once the state recovers from the violence of the riots.

Some concerns related to elections in India: by CCE’s report

• Indictment of the autonomy of the Election Commission of India: due to increasing criminalisation, the use of financial power to create an economic oligarchy etc.
• ECI drifting away from Article 324 of the Constitution: Thus creating doubts about freedom and fairness of India’s general elections.
  • Article 324 gives the Commission plenipotentiary powers to steer the electoral process.