Saksham GoelAIR 27 · CSE 2021 · 230 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening
Election Commission of India is one of the most credible institutions in the democratic functioning of Indian elections.
Body · points
Role of Election Commission
(1) According to former CEC, S Y Qureshi, an independent ECI, proper rules and election petition are the pre-requisite to free and fair elections.
(2) The pro-active role of TN Seshan and J. Lyndoh is also well-documented.
(3) The largest democratic exercise in a poor country with minimal infrastructure, in a transparent and credible way with use of technology like e-Ballots.
Institutional reforms in Election Commission
(1) The Budget of ECI should be "charged" rather than voted upon.
(2) The removal procedure of Election Commissioners must be same as Chief Election commissioners.
(3) The ECI must have the power to de-register political parties based on 'objective criterion'.
(4) The ECI must have prosecutory powers with respect to holding star campaigners to account.
(5) The understaffing of ECI must also be squarely addressed.
(6) ECI must be given the power to advise President and Governor in cases of anti defection law (Dinesh Goswami Committee recommendation).
(7) Pre-electoral election petition jurisdiction can be extended to Election Commission.
(8) The institutional mechanism to ensure and verify the details in affidavits of candidates is also required.
Close · a summary
It is only through a powerful, independent and credible Election Commission that the democratic process of India will sustain, prosper and empower her citizens.
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