GS2 · 15 marks · 250 words

The credibility of the electoral process rests on the autonomy and neutrality of the Election Commission. Do you think the Election Commission of India is facing credibility issues in sustaining public trust in electoral democracy?

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Constitutional BodiesElections and Representation

Syllabus: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 280 words · 33% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A date or context1 of 3
  • A constitutional or legal provision1 of 3
  • No separate opening1 of 3

Body

  • Points2 of 3
  • Points and prose1 of 3

Close

  • A way forward2 of 3
  • A source1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 215 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a recent event

Recently leader of opposition (LOP) raised issue regarding autonomy and neutrality of ECI in Haryana and Maharashtra election.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
ECI -> Art 324 (constitutional body) ECI -> Key organisation for free & fair election ECI -> power of superitence, conduct & regulation of election.

ECI facing credibility issue

Yes

  1. Allegation of biasness and favouring government side.
  2. Allegation of partial implementation of MCC and electoral rules.
  3. Doubts on credibility of EVMs and electoral process.
  4. Allegation of voter list manipulation & recent controversy related to SIR in Bihar election.
  5. Partisaned conduct allegation.
  6. Recent CEC Act, 2023 -> dilutes Autonomy of CEC -> violation of Anoop Baranwal Judgement.

No

  1. Rising voter turnout -> display people's trust in election.
Diagram
Rising voter turnout Voter ^ 67% | 40% | |---| |10th LS 18th LS
  1. Initiative by ECI eg SVEEP for voter awareness.
  2. Open challenge to all parties and person to prove tampering of EVMs.
  3. ECI fact check -> on misinformation to increase voter trust.
  4. Assertion of Autonomy -> as & when needed (e.g. Kanhaiya Lal Case).
  5. Strict enforcement of MCC (e.g. Ban on CM of UP for hate speech).

Way forward

  1. SY Qureshi (Ex-CEC) suggestion (i) Secretariat for independence of EC (ii) Declare expenses as charged expenditure
  2. ECI Demands (iii) Legal recognition to MCC (iv) Protection to other ECs (like CEC)
  3. Dialogue with opposition to build trust.
  4. Utmost independence and non-partisan behaviour.

Close · a way forward

"Independence of EC and people's trust are key for survival of democracy"

More on Constitutional Bodies

Appointment, powers and functioning of bodies the Constitution creates.

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