The election season (Part II)

In the last blog, some of the problems with the election system of the largest democracy in the worlds were enlisted. In this blog, all the steps taken up by Parliament and other various bodies will be discussed including, my own suggestions to improve/fix the broken system.

  

The majority of parliament's time with respect to election reforms or amendment to Representation of Peoples Act, 1951 have been used to amend the ‘office of profit’ provisions and which offices should or shouldn’t be exempted.  The idea behind the concept of office of profit – which evolved in England – is to preserve the independence of the legislature by keeping the members away from any temptations from the executive that can come in the way of independent discharge of their duties. It also seeks to enforce the principle of separation of power between the legislative, the judiciary and the executive – a basic feature of the Constitution.

The election season (Part I)

As the election season is about to hit India, with state assembly elections in key states such as Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa to be held in March 2017. All the political parties gear up for the election campaign. By the end of March, the people would have elected representatives for a total number of six hundred and ninety assembly seats! It is a no easy task, already the election commission is in motion and key meetings with public officers are going on in these states. The Code of Conduct will be in force anytime now (Early-mid December). It is a mammoth task, and wheels are already in motion.

India has been characterised as the biggest democracy in the world because of the mere number of people participating in the voting process. It is a cherished right of a citizen to participate in the electoral process which places representatives in the seat of power. The citizen has been guaranteed this right under the Constitution via universal adult suffrage.[1]