ROLE OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA IN STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY IN INDIA Submitted to Mr. Kishore Dere
SUBMITTED BY: SHAKIR SHABIR B.A. LL.B. (HONS.) 9TH SEMESTER 0
Acknowledgement
Firstl! I "ould li#e to e$%ress m %ro&ou'd se'se o& (r)titude to")rds the )lmi(ht *ALLAH+ &or %ro,idi'( me "ith the )uthe'ti- -ir-umst)'-es "hi-h "ere m)'d)tor &or the -om%letio' o& m %roe-t. I &eel msel& hi(hl deli(hted! )s it (i,es me i'-redible %le)sure to %rese't )' )ssi('me't "or# o' *Role o& the Ele-tio' Commissio' o& I'di) i' Stre'(the'i'( Demo-r)- i' I'di)+. I "ould li#e to e'li(hte' m re)ders re()rdi'( this to%i- )'d I ho%e I h),e tried m best to %),e the ") &or bri'(i'( more lumi'osit to this to%i-. I )m (r)te&ul to m He)lth L)" Te)-her Mr. Kishore Dere "ho h)s hel%ed me to ,e'ture this %roe-t )s "ell )s the libr)r o& F)-ult o& L)"! /)mi) Milli) Isl)mi). I "ould li#e to th)'# )ll -o'-er' &or their i'terest i' %ro,idi'( me ) (ood b)-# u% m)teri)l.
Sh)#ir Sh)bir 0.A.LL.0 1Ho's2 3 th Semester 4th Ye)r
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 5. I'trodu-tio' 6. Ele-tio's )'d Demo-r)- i' I'di) 7. The Ele-tio' Commissio' o& I'di) 4. Ele-tio' Commissio' )'d the Su--ess o& Demo-r)- i' I'di) 8. Ele-tio' Commissio' )'d the 9re%)r)tio' o& Ele-tor)l Rolls :. Ele-tio' Commissio' )'d Model Code o& Co'du-t ;. Ele-tio' Commissio' o' Crimi')li<)tio' o& 9oliti-s =. Ele-tio' Commissio' o' I''er 9)rt Demo-r)- 3. More Need To 0e Do'e 5>. 0iblio(r)%h
INTRODUCTION ?he' 9t. /)")h)rl)l Nehru de-l)red I'di) )s )' i'de%e'de't demo-r)ti- -ou'tr i' his @Tryst with Destiny’ s%ee-h i' the mid'i(ht o& 54th Au(ust 534;! the "hole "orld loo#ed )t
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I'di) i' )s#)'-e. I' s%ite o& 9)'dit Nehrus stro'( belie& i' demo-r)ti- 'orms! the ro)d to demo-r)- i' I'di) ")s 'ot smooth. The moder' demo-r)ti- i'stitutio's "ere 'ot )llo"ed to be &u'-tio'ed e&&e-ti,el i' 0ritishBI'di). The re%rese't)ti,e demo-r)-! )s e',is)(ed i' the Co'stitutio' o& I'di)! ")s to be the 'e" e$%erie'-e &or m)orit o& I'di)'s. Thus there "ere lots o& )%%rehe'sio's )bout the &uture o& demo-r)- i' 'e"l i'de%e'de't I'di)! "hi-h de-l)red itsel& )s @ sovereign, democratic and republic’ . Demo-r)ti- i' the se'se th)t ) (o,er'me't is ele-ted throu(h &ree )'d -om%etiti,e ele-tio's b)sed o' )dult su&&r)(e. I'di) tod) is -o'sidered )s the "orlds @l)r(est demo-r)ti- -ou'tr. The su--ess o& demo-r)- i' I'di) h)s )ttr)-ted the )tte'tio' o& )lmost e,er %oliti-)l s-ie'tist )rou'd the "orld. *Co',e'tio')l "isdom h)s it th)t I'di) is the "orlds l)r(est demo-r)-! but &e" h),e re-o('i
As 360 million Indians voted over the last month, the world’s largest and most fractious democracy once again set a stirring example for all nations. . . India’s rich diversity sometimes loos lie an obstacle to unity. !ut the latest election has proved that a commitment to resolving differences peacefully and democratically can transform diversity into a source of strength. The editori)l! )--ordi'( to Kohli! %oi'ts to ) si('i&i-)'t %he'ome'o' * for more than five decades India’s democracy has succeed against considerable odds +6. M)' &)-tors seem to h),e -o'tributed to the su--ess o& demo-r)- i' I'di) o,er the l)st &i&t e)rs. 9eriodi')tio')l )'d )ssembl ele-tio's! u'der the su%er,isio' o& Ele-tio' Commissio' o& I'di)! )re ) stro'( i'di-)tor o& the su--ess o& ) &u'-tio'i'( demo-r)-. *"ver the past #0 years!+ M)'or)')' Moh)'t "rites! *the elections have been by and large free and fair. $here has been peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another. $his is a crucial test for the functioning of liberal democracy +7. Atul Kohlis ide) )bout I'di)s su--ess&ul demo-r)- )lso em)')tes &rom the su--ess o& %eriodi- ele-tio's *in which 1 Rudolp! Su"#nne $oe%e& '2002() *New D+men"+on" +n Ind+#n Democ&#c,! .ou&n#l o/ Democ&#c, 1'1(2344) 2 5ol+! Atul 'ed)( '2001() Te Succe"" o/ Ind+#6" Democ&#c,) C#m%&+dge C#m%&+dge Un+7e&"+t, 8&e""! p)1)
all political offices are contested, and in which all adults are %ualified to vote& '. *Demo-r)tii'stitutio's )'d %r)-ti-es -)me to be more &irml rooted i' I'di)' %oliti-s i' the er) o& %eriodi-)l ele-tio's b)sed o' )dult &r)'-hise+ "rites R)e'dr) or) )'d Suh)s 9ulsi#)r )ddi'( th)t * (emocracy has evolved in independent India basically through representative politics, mobili)ation of masses and power*sharing +8.
Elections an De!oc"ac# in Inia Demo-r)- rests o' the "ill o& the @demos’ . These "ills )re m)'i&ested more e&&e-ti,el )t the time "he' re%rese't)ti,es o& the %eo%le )re sele-ted or ele-ted. I' ) re%rese't)ti,e t%e o& demo-r)-! "ills o& the demos )re tem%or)ril tr)'s&erred to their re%rese't)ti,es &or ) s%e-i&i- %eriod o& time! "ith the -o'se't o& the demos. Mo'tesuieu "rote i' 5;4= th)t si'-e it ")s 'ot %ossible i' ) l)r(e st)te &or the %eo%le to meet )s ) le(isl)ti,e bod! the must -hoose re%rese't)ti,es to do "h)t the -ould 'ot do themsel,es :. The re%rese't)ti,es 1to "hom %o"er is to be tr)'s&erred2 )re sele-ted b holdi'( re(ul)r ele-tio's. A demo-r)ti %oliti-)l sstem must )--e%t 'o other )uthorit th)' the "ill o& the %eo%le )'d their &reel (i,e' -o'se't )s the b)sis o& (o,er')'-e. It is this &reel (i,e' -o'se't o' -ert)i' i'ter,)ls throu(h ele-tio's th)t le(itimi
9o#nt,! 9#no&#n:#n '200;() o&# #nd Su#" 8ul"+k#& 'ed"() New Del+ S#ge 8u%l+c#t+on"! p) 10?) ; 5ol+! Atul! op) c+t) >o&#! R#:end&#! Su#" 8ul"+k#& 'ed")( '200;() Ind+#n Democ&#c, 3 9e#n+ng" #nd 8&#ct+ce") New Del+ S#ge 8u%l+c#t+on"! pp) 2;32?) 4 D#l! Ro%e&t '1@@() Democ&#c, #nd It" C&+t+c") New Del+ O&+ent Longm#n! p) 2@ ;
elections, such that no ma+or adult- social group is excluded +; Com%etiti,e ')ture o& ele-tio's is ide'ti&ied )s o'e o& the m)or reuireme'ts &or &u'-tio'i'( demo-r)- b Mro' ?ei'er i' his @ mpirical (emocratic $heory’ / Ele-tio's -re)te ) se'time't o& %o%ul)r -o'se't )'d %)rti-i%)tio' i' %ubli- )&&)irs )'d %ro,ide &or orderl su--essio' i' (o,er'me't b %e)-e&ul tr)'s&er o& )uthorit to 'e" rulers3. *$he constitution of a country+! s)s R.9.0h)ll)! *has been called the vehicle of a nation’s life+. A--ordi'( to him the ele-tio' is the %ro-ess b "hi-h the %eo%le -hoose the i'strume't o& (o,er'me't to -o'du-t the ')tio's li&e5>. I' ) demo-r)ti- sstem %o"er ori(i')tes &rom the %eo%le. It is i' this -o'te$t th)t the Lo# S)bh) S%e)#er! Somnath Chatterjee s)s! *... democracy rests on the belief that the people are the source as well as the purpose of power in the polity. It is their consent expressed periodically through elections, either directly or indirectly legitimi)es the decision*maing process+. He )dds! *$hrough elections, we undertae the tas of translating the consent of the people into the authority to govern. $hey are also an opportunity to test a country’s health in terms of progress and development +55. The si('i&i-)'-e o& ele-tio's i' demo-r)- is eu)ll em%h)si
? L#&&, D+#mond! .u#n . L+n=! S)9) L+p"et 'ed")( '1@@() Democ&#c, +n A"+#) New Del+ >+"t##& 8u%l+c#t+on"! p) 2@ e+ne&! 9,&on '1@?() Emp+&+c#l Democ&#t+c Teo&,!- +n 9) e+ne& #nd E&gun O=%udun! 'ed")( Compet+t+7e Elect+on" +n De7elop+ng Count&+e") Du&#m! NC Duke Un+7e&"+t, 8&e""! 8) ;) @ 9#cken=+e! ).)9) '1@() F&ee Elect+on") London eo&ge Allen #nd Unw+n! pp)131; 10 Sw#m+n#t#n! T)! /o&me& C+e/ Elect+on Comm+""+one& o/ Ind+# w&ote +n +" Fo&ewo&d to R)8) B#ll#6" '1@?( Elect+on" +n Ind+# '1@031@?2() New Del+ Sult#n C#nd #nd Son") 11 Add&e"" +n # Con/e&ence o/ Commonwe#lt C+e/ Elect+on Oce&"! New Del+! 2;3 24 Fe%&u#&, 200
the -o'du-t o& ) &ree )'d &)ir ele-tio'+ 56. The su--ess&ul "or#i'( o& &orm)l demo-r)-! )--ordi'( to Ramashray Roy, de%e'ds o' ) set o& three b)si- -o'ditio's irst, the mandate for governance must come from the people and must be given freely. 1econdly, political leaders and activists must agree on the democratic rules of the games and compete among themselves for capturing political power2 And, lastly, there must exist a general acceptance of norms as well as institutional structure that will enable competing political parties to maintain and preserve democracy.3I
T$e Election %o!!ission o& Inia Ele-tio' Commissio' o& I'di) is ) %erm)'e't Co'stitutio')l 0od! "hi-h ")s est)blished i' )--ord)'-e "ith the Co'stitutio' o' 68th /)'u)r 538>. The Commissio' -o'du-ts ele-tio's i' )--ord)'-e "ith the -o'stitutio')l %ro,isio's! su%%leme'ted b l)"s m)de b 9)rli)me't. The m)or l)"s i'-lude Re%rese't)tio' o& the 9eo%le A-t! 538>! "hi-h m)i'l de)ls "ith the %re%)r)tio' )'d re,isio' o& ele-tor)l rolls! the Re%rese't)tio' o& the 9eo%le A-t! 5385 "hi-h de)ls! i' det)il! "ith )ll )s%e-ts o& -o'du-t o& ele-tio's )'d %ostBele-tio' dis%utes. The &ou'di'( &)thers o& the Co'stitutio' o& I'di) (),e the I'di)'s ) Co'stitutio' th)t e',is)(es i'de%e'de't! 'eutr)l )'d )%oliti-)l i'stitutio's "hose &u'-tio'i'(! the ,isu)li
things in such a manner that those people who do not belong to them either racially, culturally or linguistically, are being excluded from being brought on the electoral rolls. $he house will reali)e that franchise is a most fundamental thing in a democracy. o person who is entitled to be brought into the electoral rolls on grounds which we have already mentioned in our constitution, namely, an adult of 7 years of age should be excluded merely as a result of the pre+udice of a local government, or whim of an officer. $hat would cut at the very root of democratic government . The Co'stitue't Assembl ")s &)-ed "ith ) dilemm) "hether to h),e ) -e'tr)li
)' Ele-tio' Commissio'! i'de%e'de't o& e$e-uti,e )'d %oliti-)l -o'trol. The 9reside't )s %er Arti-le 764162 )%%oi'ts the Chie& Ele-tio' Commissio'er )'d other Ele-tio' Commissio'ers. The h),e te'ure o& si$ e)rs! or u% to the )(e o& :8 e)rs! "hi-he,er is e)rlier. Si'-e i' ) 9)rli)me't)r demo-r)- the 9reside't &u'-tio's o' the )d,i-e o& the 9rime Mi'ister! the )-tu)l %o"er o& )%%oi'tme't is "ith the l)tter. The i'de%e'de'-e o& Ele-tio' Commissio' i' -)rri'( out its &u'-tio's )'d res%o'sibilities is e'sured b )' e$%ress %ro,isio' i' Arti-le 764182 o& the Co'stitutio'. It s)s th)t the Chie& Ele-tio' Commissio'er sh)ll 'ot be remo,ed &rom his o&&i-e e$-e%t i' li#e m)''er! )'d o' the li#e (rou'ds! )s ) /ud(e o& the Su%reme Court )'d the -o'ditio's o& the ser,i-e o& the Chie& Ele-tio' Commissio'er sh)ll 'ot be ,)ried to his dis)d,)'t)(e duri'( his te'ure. It me)'s th)t the Chie& Ele-tio' Commissio'er -)' be remo,ed &rom o&&i-e o'l throu(h im%e)-hme't b 9)rli)me't. The e'o the s)me st)tus )'d re-ei,e s)l)r )'d %er#s )s ),)il)ble to /ud(es o& the Su%reme Court o& I'di).
Election %o!!ission an t$e S'ccess o& De!oc"ac# in Inia The Co'stitutio' o& I'di) %ro,ides &or %eriodi- ele-tio's! "hi-h e'sure demo-r)ti- tr)'s&er o& %oliti-)l %o"er &rom o'e set o& re%rese't)ti,e to other. The Ele-tio' Commissio' o& I'di)! ) %o"er&ul 'o'B%)rtis)' -o'stitutio')l bod! -o'du-ts the l)r(est ele-tor)l e$er-ise i' the "orld. It is the res%o'sibilit o& the Ele-tio' Commissio' o& I'di) to -o'du-t &ree )'d &)ir ele-tio' i' this l)'d o& more th)' :;> millio' ,oters "ith di,erse so-ioBe-o'omi- )'d %oliti-)l b)-#(rou'ds. The Ele-tio' Commissio' o& I'di) h)s bee' su--ess&ull -o'du-ti'( ')tio')l )s "ell )s st)te ele-tio's si'-e 5386. I' re-e't e)rs! ho"e,er! the Commissio' h)s st)rted to %l) more )-ti,e role to e'sure (re)ter %)rti-i%)tio' o& %eo%le i' the %oliti-)l )&&)irs. L)te K.R. N)r))')'! the &ormer 9reside't o& I'di) %r)isi'( the %roB)-ti,e role o& Ele-tio' Commissio' s)id $he 4ommission very %uicly adapted itself to the changed political milieu that came about in the country. rom a relatively passive role that it had played in the earlier years following our independence, it %uicly responded and centre stage to play a vigorous,
proactive role to ensure that the democratic process in the country remains, as was envisaged by all at the time of Independence, free and fair in both character and content .5: The 9rime Mi'ister o& I'di) %roudl de-l)res th)t the Ele-tio' Commissio' o& I'di) h)s 'o eu)ls )'"here i' the "orld. To uote him! 8hen the 9nited ations and the 5overnments of other democracies reach out to our lection 4ommission seeing its assistance in conducting elections we feel a sense of pride in our democratic processes and institutions. "ur lection 4ommission has no peers anywhere in the world. It has established an enviable record of efficiency and transparency in the conduct of elections from :ashmir to :anyamumari.5; The Ele-tio' Commissio' )'d the Su%reme Court )re the t"o i'stitutio's th)t -omm)'d hi(h de(ree o& res%e-t &rom the -iti
14 Speec o/ te 8&e"+dent o/ Ind+# on te occ#"+on o/ te olden .u%+lee Cele%&#t+on o/ te Elect+on Comm+""+on o/ Ind+# on .#nu#&, 1?! 2001) 1? 8&+me 9+n+"te& D&) 9onmo#n S+ng6" Speec #t te $T Le#de&"+p In+t+#t+7e Con/e&ence! New Del+ 1 A n#t+onw+de "u&7e, w#" conducted %, te Cent&e /o& te Stud, o/ De7elop+ng Soc+et+e" /o& te Ind+#n Counc+l o/ Soc+#l Sc+ence" Re"e#&c #nd Ind+# tod#, :u"t #/te& te ele7ent n#t+on#l elect+on +n .une #nd .ul, 1@@4) Te "u&7e, nd" t#t 42 pe& cent o/ 1!00 &e"pondent" &#ted te Elect+on Comm+""+on #" t&u"two&t,! te +ge"t "co&e! /ollowed %, @ pe& cent /o& te Sup&eme Cou&t) Ind+# Tod#,! Augu"t 1! 1@@4) 1@ Rudolp! L,o,d #nd Su"#nne Rudolp '2001(
The Commissio' i' the %)st ")s -o'sidered )s ) "i'( o& the )dmi'istr)tio' to -om%lete the &orm)lities o& the ele-tio'65. A 'e" d')mism ")s i'stilled i' the Commissio' )&ter T.N. Shesh)' too# o,er )s the Chie& Ele-tio' Commissio'er i' 5335.+St)rti'( "ith the te'ure o& T.N. Shesh)' )s Chie& Ele-tio' Commissio'er........ The Ele-tio' Commissio' ()i'ed ) ')tio')l %romi'e'-e )s ) %rime &or-e i' restori'( )'d m)i't)i'i'( &ree )'d &)ir ele-tio's i' I'di)+66. T.N. Sesh)' (),e teeth to ele-tor)l %ro,isio's )'d ) model -ode o& -o'du-t ")s m)de to o%er)te "ith (re)t &irm'ess! sho"i'( the *hitherto undiscovered and untapped power of the 4ommission hidden in the 4onstitution&. The Commissio' si'-e the' h)s i'iti)ted ,)rious ele-tor)l re&orm me)sures. It is dee%l -o'-er'ed )bout -rimi')li<)tio' o& %oliti-s )'d %)rti-i%)tio' o& -rimi')ls i' the ele-tor)l %ro-ess )s -)'did)tes. The Commissio' h)d (o'e to the e$te't o& dis-i%li'i'( the %oliti-)l %)rties "ith ) thre)t o& de re-o('itio' i& the %)rties &)iled i' m)i't)i'i'( i''er %)rt demo-r)-.
Election %o!!ission an t$e "ea"ation o& Electo"al Rolls To m)i't)i' )' )--ur)te )'d u%BtoBd)te re-ord o& )ll eli(ible ,oters is the esse'ti)l %rereuisite o& e,er &u'-tio'i'( demo-r)-! "ithout "hi-h 'o &ree )'d &)ir ele-tio' -)' be %ossible. The ele-tor)l rolls bei'( the determi')te o& "hose ,otes sh)ll &orm the (o,er'me't )re the &ou'd)tio' o& moder' demo-r)-. As m)'d)ted b Arti-le 764 o& the Co'stitutio' )'d Re%rese't)tio' o& 9eo%les A-ts! the %rim)r &u'-tio' o& the Ele-tio' Commissio' is to su%eri'te'd! dire-t )'d -o'trol the %re%)r)tio' o& Ele-tor)l Rolls. Thus! Ele-tor)l Rolls o& e,er Co'stitue'-! )s desired b the Co'stitutio' m)#ers! is %re%)red u'der the su%eri'te'de'-e! dire-tio' )'d -o'trol o& the Ele-tio' Commissio'. The Commissio' %l)s )' @ activist’s role’ to root out the bo(us ,oters )'d e'list the (e'ui'e o'es )s it #'o"s th)t more th)' t"o %er -e't error m)#es ,oter lists u')--e%t)ble. I' the re-e't ele-tio' to the Le(isl)ti,e Assembl o& ?est 0e'()l the Commissio' -o'sidered the t)s# o& -le)'i'( the ele-tor)l rolls )s ) *hi(h %riorit+ ob. The
21 Ro,! A)5)'1@@@()
')mes o& 57 l)#h *dead and shifted + ,oters h),e bee' remo,ed )'d 65 l)#h 'e" ,oters )dded to the list.67 The Commissio' h)s )lso t)#e' bold i'iti)ti,e to e'sure deletio' o& ')mes o& those ,oters )()i'st "hom 'o'Bb)il)ble ")rr)'ts h),e bee' %e'di'( e$e-utio' &or o,er si$ mo'ths. It -o'siders th)t i& ) ")rr)'t -)''ot be e$e-uted &or more th)' si$ mo'ths! it should be %resumed th)t the %erso' is 'o lo'(er residi'( i' th)t %l)-e )'d so his ')me should 'ot &i(ure i' the ,oters list. 0)sed o' ) -ommu'i-)tio' &rom the Ele-tio' Commissio'! -o'tro,ersi)l R/D M9 &rom Si")' 10ih)r2 Moh)m)d Sh)h)buddi's ')me ")s deleted &rom the ,oters list i' 6>>864. I' tot)l 5.8 l)#hs ')mes "ere deleted &rom the ,oters list i' 0ih)r )lo'e 68. I' order to %rote-t the (e'ui'e ,oters! the Commissio' h)s bee' i'sisti'( si'-e 5337 o' %hoto ide'tit -)rds to be issued to )ll eli(ible ,oters. The &ormer CEC! T.N. Shesh)' issued ) ")r'i'( b i',o#i'( Rule 7; o& Re%rese't)tio' o& 9eo%les A-t th)t the Commissio' "ould 'ot 'oti& ele-tio's )&ter /)'u)r 5! 5338 i' those %l)-es "here %hoto ide'tit -)rds "ere 'ot issued. The CECs di-t)te o& @'o ide'tit -)rdsB'o ele-tio's be-)me sli(htl -o'tro,ersi)l. The order o& the Commissio' ")s -h)lle'(ed i' the Su%reme Court s)i'( th)t ri(ht to ,ote is )' esse'ti)l -om%o'e't o& demo-r)- )'d %ro-edur)l %ro,isio' -)''ot be -o'stru-ted to de' the subst)'ti,e ri(ht to ,ote. The m)tter ")s &i')ll resol,ed "he' the Commissio' (),e )' u'dert)#i'( be&ore the Court th)t it "ould 'ot "ithhold ele-tio's. The %rese't Chie& Ele-tio' Commissio'er is )lso i'siste'-e o' %hoto ide'tit -)rds. 0.0. te'do' m)de it -le)r be&ore the re-e't Assembl ele-tio' i' ?est 0e'()l! Ass)m )'d T)mil N)du th)t *those "ithout %hoto ide'tit -)rds "ill 'ot be )llo"ed to -)st their ,otes i' Assembl ele-tio'+ 6:.
Election %o!!ission an Moel %oe o& %on'ct Model -ode o& Co'du-t emer(ed out o& ) %oliti-)l -o'se'sus "he' i' 53:= the Ele-tio' Commissio' &ormul)ted! i' -o'sult)tio' "ith %oliti-)l %)rties! the -ode th)t ")s i'te'ded to re(ul)te the -o'du-t o& %oliti-)l %)rties )'d -)'did)tes &or ) he)lth )'d %e)-e&ul ele-tio' 2 B)B) T#ndon! C+e/ Elect+on Comm+""+one& o/ Ind+#! T+me" o/ Ind+#! 21))04) 2; T+me" o/ Ind+#! New Del+! No7em%e& 10! 200) 2 Teleg&#p! C#lcutt#! Decem%e& 1! 200) 24 T+me" o/ Ind+#! New Del+! Decem%e& ! 200) 11
-)m%)i('. Ele-tio' Commissio' o& I'di) de&i'es Model -ode o& Co'du-t )s ) set o& (uideli'es to (o,er' the -o'du-t o& %oliti-)l %)rties )'d -)'did)tes i' the ru'Bu% to )' ele-tio'. It is i'te'ded to %ro,ide ) le,el %l)i'( &ield &or )ll %oliti-)l %)rties! to #ee% the -)m%)i(' &)ir )'d he)lth! ),oid -l)shes )'d -o'&li-ts bet"ee' %)rties! )'d e'sure %e)-e )'d order. The m)i' )im o& the Model Code is to e'sure th)t the ruli'( %)rt! either )t the Ce'tre or i' the st)tes! does 'ot misuse its o&&i-i)l %ositio' to ()i' )' u'&)ir )d,)'t)(e i' )' ele-tio'. '&ortu')tel the -ode o& -o'du-t does 'ot h),e st)tutor s)'-tio'. It ")s T.N. Shesh)' "ho stri-tl e'&or-ed the -ode )&ter t)#i'( o,er )s the Chie& Ele-tio' Commissio'er. 0e&ore th)t the -ode rem)i'ed ust o' %)%er )s the Commissio' did 'ot re)lise th)t it h)d the %o"er to e'&or-e the -ode. T.N Shesh)' &or-ed the %)rties )'d -)'did)tes to t)#e the ECs -ode o& -o'du-t seriousl )'d su--eeded to ) (ood e$te't i' -o't)i'i'( ,iole'-e. Rudol%h )'d Rudol%h s) th)t the most ,isible su--ess o& the Ele-tio' Commissio' *has been getting India’s parties and candidates 222 comply with its code of conduct& . The Shesh)'s tr)ditio' -o'ti'ued )'d the su--essi,e Ele-tio' Commissio'ers too# serious 'ote o& )' ,iol)tio' o& the -ode. The %rese't Commissio' h)s %ulled u% ) host o& %oliti-i)'s! bure)u-r)ts )'d e,e' ) Go,er'or &or ,iol)ti'( the -ode. Go,er'or o& 0ih)r! 0ut) Si'(h Si'(h ")s i'di-ted b ) t"oBmember Ele-tio' Commissio' te)m &or ,iol)ti'( model -ode o& -o'du-t )s he m)de ,)rious )%%oi'tme'ts to -o'stitutio')l bodies %rior to Assembl ele-tio' i' 0ih)r i' 6>>8. Hum)' Resour-e De,elo%me't Mi'ister Aru' Si'(hs re-e't )''ou'-eme't )bout the (o,er'me'ts %l)'s &or reser,)tio' i' elite edu-)tio')l i'stitutio's &or Other 0)-#")rd Cl)sses ")s &ou'd to be ) ,ol)tile o& the model -ode o& -o'du-t. The Commissio' s)id this amounts to new concessions to certain sections of the electorate+ i' the &i,e st)tes "here Assembl ele-tio's )re bei'( held. R. N)tr)! the the' Che'')i 9oli-e Commissio'er ")s ordered to be tr)'s&erred b the Ele-tio' Commissio' i' the ")#e o& his %r)isi'( T)mil N)du Chie& Mi'ister "he' the model -ode o& -o'du-t ")s i' &or-e.
Election %o!!ission on %"i!inali*ation o& olitics Crimi')li<)tio' o& %oliti-s )'d %oliti-i<)tio' o& -rime ,er b)dl )&&e-t so-i)l )'d %oliti-)l li&e o& the %eo%le. 9rese'-e o& -rimi')ls i' %oliti-s! m)' belie,e! st)'ds o' the ") o& demo-r)- i' I'di). The N)tio')l Commissio' to Re,ie" the ?or#i'( o& the Co'stitutio' 1NCR?C2 h)s )lso re-o('ised the &)-t th)t -rimi')lis)tio' h)s be-ome ) "orrisome -h)r)-teristi- o& I'di)s %oliti-s )'d ele-tor)l sstem. The Commissio' 'otes th)t o'e %ossible 12
e$%l)')tio' &or the r)%id -rimi')lis)tio' o& the %olit is th)t -rimi')ls h),e u'derstood the me-h)'i-s o& the ele-tor)l %ro-ess )'d h),e themsel,es be-ome -o'te'ders &or %o"er. E)rlier! %oliti-i)'s used to %)tro'ise -rimi')ls )'d %ro,ided them %rote-tio' &rom the l)"B e'&or-eme't )(e'-ies i' e$-h)'(e &or the use o& their mus-le %o"er duri'( ele-tio's. uoti'( u'o&&i-i)l studies the N)tio')l Commissio' -ited th)t i' 533: )s m)' )s 73 members o& %)rli)me't! i'-ludi'( &our mi'isters! &)-ed -rimi')l -h)r(es! "hi-h i'-luded murder! r)%e! d)-oit! )bdu-tio'! )ss)ult )'d bre)-h o& %e)-e. A' i',esti()tio' i'to the re-ord o& 8>> %erso's "ho "ere -)'did)tes i' the Lo# S)bh) ele-tio's o& 533= re,e)led th)t ;6 o& them h)d -rimi')l %ro-eedi'(s %e'di'( )()i'st them. As %er the estim)te o& G..G. Krish')murth! the &ormer CEC some ;>> o& the 4>>> odd MLAs i' the -ou'tr )re *historBshetters+ or h)d bee' -h)r(ed i' -rimi')l -)ses. The &ormer Chie& Ele-tio' Commissio'er! G..G. Krish')murth! stro'(l %le)ded &or ) 'e" le(isl)tio' to )rrest -rimi')li<)tio' o& %oliti-s )'d %oliti-)l -orru%tio' "ith )' )im th)t ;no law breaer should ever be law maer&. The Committee to Re,ie" the ?or#i'( o& the Co'stitutio' h)s re-omme'ded th)t -)'did)tes -o',i-ted o& o&&e'-es "ith ) se'te'-e o& si$ mo'ths or more be b)rred &rom -o'testi'( ele-tio's &or si$ e)rs %lus the le'(th o& their se'te'-e! "hi-h "ould m)r# ) -h)'(e &rom the e$isti'( sstem "here ) si$ e)r b)' mi(ht e$%ire be&ore ) se,e' or ei(ht e)r se'te'-e. The Ele-tio' Commissio' t)#i'( serious ,ie" o& the i'-re)si'( role o& -rimi')ls i' %oliti-s (),e -rimi')l u'B&rie'dl i'ter%ret)tio' to Se-tio' = o& Re%rese't)tio' o& 9eo%le A-t! 5385. The Commissio' ordered th)t 'o -o',i-ted %erso' "ill be )llo"ed to -o'test ele-tio's e,e' i& )' )%%e)l )()i'st the -o',i-tio' ")s %e'di'( i' ) hi(h -ourt or the %erso' ")s o' b)il. The e$-e%tio' ")s! ho"e,er! (i,e' to sitti'( members o& 9)rli)me't )'d St)te Le(isl)tures. A--ordi'(l! the Commissio' dire-ted the retur'i'( o&&i-ers to obt)i' s"or' )&&id),its &rom -)'did)tes det)ili'( "hether the -o'test)'t h)d e,er bee' -o',i-ted! ')ture o& o&&e'-e! %u'ishme't im%osed! %eriod o& im%riso'me't )'d other rele,)'t det)ils. The retur'i'( o&&i-ers "ere ordered to t)#e 'ote o& the 'e" le()l %ositio' )'d de-ide )bout the ,)lidit o& the -)'did)ture o& -o'test)'ts. The Commissio' )lso re-omme'ded th)t "he' ) %erso' is )--used o& serious -rimes )'d ) -ourt is %rim) &)-i) s)tis&ied )bout his i',ol,eme't i' the -rime! he should be #e%t out o& the ele-tor)l )re') )s it "ould be ) re)so')ble restri-tio' i' the i'terest o& the %ubli-. A'd those
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)--used o& -rimi')l o&&e'-es -)rri'( ) se'te'-e o& &i,e e)rs or more be )utom)ti-)ll disu)li&ied &rom &i(hti'( ele-tio's.
Election %o!!ission on Inne" a"t# De!oc"ac# It is o&te' s)id th)t *the strength of India’s parliamentary democracy is rooted in its multi* party system and the manner in which the political parties wor +. The -e'tr)lit o& the %)rties i' ) demo-r)ti- sstem dem)'ds th)t some %oli-i'( o& their i'ter')l %ro-ess o& sele-ti'( le)ders )'d re%rese't)ti,es should de&i'itel t)#e %l)-e "hi-h "ill e'sure th)t the e$er-ise o& )uthorit "ithi' the %)rt is b)sed o' ) demo-r)ti- -ulture )'d 'ot )' )uthorit)ri)' o'e. I'di) bei'( ) demo-r)ti- -ou'tr it is o'l e$%e-ted th)t the 9oliti-)l 9)rties must &u'-tio' i' ) demo-r)ti- m)''er. 9oliti-)l %)rties )re re(istered "ith the Ele-tio' Commissio' u'der Se-tio' 63A o& Re%rese't)tio' o& 9eo%le A-t! 5385.The re(istered %oliti-)l %)rties )re (r)'ted re-o('itio' )t the St)te )'d N)tio')l le,els b the Ele-tio' Commissio' o' the b)sis o& their %oll %er&orm)'-e )t (e'er)l ele-tio's )--ordi'( to -riteri) %res-ribed b it. Althou(h the A-t o& 5385 does 'ot s%e-i&i-)ll me'tio' )bout the %o"er o& the Commissio' to im%ose dire-ti,es &or the %ur%ose o& est)blishi'( i''er %)rt demo-r)- o& the %oliti-)l %)rties! the su--essi,e Ele-tio' Commissio'ers h),e sho"' i'terests to restri-t %)rties &rom mo,i'( )") &rom demo-r)ti- %)th. Si'-e %)rties )re so -e'tr)l to the demo-r)ti- sstem some %oli-i'( o& their i'ter')l %ro-ess o& sele-ti'( le)ders )'d re%rese't)ti,es should de&i'itel t)#e %l)-e. This e'sures th)t the e$er-ise o& )uthorit "ithi' the %)rt is b)sed o' ) demo-r)ti- -ulture )'d 'ot )' )uthorit)ri)' o'e. The &ormer CEC! T.N. Shesh)' ordered i' 5334 th)t %oliti-)l %)rties "hi-h h)d 'ot -o'stituted (o,er'i'( bodies )--ordi'( to their -o'stitutio' "ould be dere-o('i
th)t "ould m)#e %oliti-)l %)rties )do%t i''erB%)rt demo-r)- -ould be o'e o& the ")s to e'sure the e&&e-ti,e &u'-tio'i'( o& demo-r)- i' the -ou'tr.
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MORE NEED TO BE DONE At the e'd! it must be )-#'o"led(ed th)t the Ele-tio' Commissio' o& I'di) h)s bee' (re)tl res%o'sible &or the sur,i,)l o& I'di)' demo-r)-. No demo-r)- -)' s)id to be -om%lete "ithout %eriodi- ele-tio's! "hi-h i' I'di) is m)de %ossible be-)use o& )-ti,e role bei'( %l)ed b the Ele-tio' Commissio'. It rem)i's o'e o& the &e" -o'stitutio')l bodies to h),e re)li
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BIBLORA8$G BOOKS RE+ERRED •
Shu#i)! Subh)sh 16>>=2. Issues i' I'di)' 9oliti-s! Ne" Delhi A')mi#) 9ublishers!
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%.653. K)ur! Am)'-lee% 16>>32. Ele-tor)l Re&orms i' I'di) 9roblems )'d Needs 153=3B
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6>>32! Ch)'di()rh 'ist)r 9ubli-)tio'! %.78 G)'esh)'! K. 153342 JEle-tor)l Re&orms ! 9)rli)me't)r A&&)irs! ol. 56! No. 66B76 ‟
S)'()l)re! %.5=
RE+EREN%ES
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0h)mbri! C.9 153342. I'di)' 9oliti-s Si'-e I'de%e'de'-e. Delhi Shi%r). D)hl! Robert 153=32. Demo-r)- )'d Its Criti-s. Ne" Delhi Orie't Lo'(m)'. De Sou<)! 9eter 1533=2 *The E.C. )'d Ele-tor)l Re&orms i' I'di)+! i' D.D.
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Kh)'')! L.L. Mehrotr) )'d Gert ?. Kue-# 1eds.2 Demo-r)-! Di,ersit )'d St)bilit. Delhi
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M)-mill)' 85B:7. Kohli! Atul 1ed.2 16>>52. The Su--ess o& I'di)s Demo-r)-. C)mbrid(e
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C)mbrid(e 'i,ersit 9ress. L)rr Di)mo'd! /u)' / Li'
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Delhi ist))r 9ubli-)tio's. M)-#e'
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,EBSITES -ISITED
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theirBre-omme'd)tio'sBi'Bi'di)6437> htt%""".%rsi'di).or(u%lo)dsmedi)Ele-tor)lP6>Re&ormsEle-tor)lP6>Re&orms
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P6>CodeP6>o&P6>Co'du-t.%d& htt%""".m)i'stre)m"ee#l.'et)rti-le5>43.html
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