Major Electoral Reforms in India After 1996

India has seen several significant electoral reforms post-1996 aimed at improving the efficiency, transparency, and fairness of the electoral process. These reforms have sought to address various challenges in the system, such as electoral malpractices, voter suppression, and misuse of power by political parties.

1. The 1996 Electoral Reforms

In 1996, the Election Commission of India (ECI) introduced several important reforms to ensure free and fair elections:

• Introduction of Voter Identity Cards: To reduce impersonation and ensure that only eligible voters participated, the government began issuing voter identity cards.
• Regulation of Election Campaign Expenditure: The Election Commission made it mandatory for political parties and candidates to disclose their election expenses, ensuring greater transparency.

2. The 2002 Electoral Reforms

• The Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 2002: This amendment empowered the Election Commission to disqualify candidates with criminal backgrounds from contesting elections, a crucial move in combating the influence of crime in politics.
• Introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs): EVMs were introduced to replace paper ballots, reducing errors and electoral fraud. This change has significantly improved the speed and accuracy of counting votes.

3. The 2003 Electoral Reforms

• The 2003 Amendment: This further empowered the Election Commission to de-register political parties that failed to submit annual financial reports and audit statements.

4. The 2010 Electoral Reforms

• Introduction of Photo Voter List: A photo-based voter list was introduced to prevent bogus voting and improve the accuracy of electoral rolls.
• NOTA (None of the Above) Option: Voters were given the option to reject all candidates in an election by choosing the NOTA button on EVMs.

5. The 2013 Electoral Reforms

• The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2013: This amendment allowed people who had been convicted of a crime but not yet sentenced to remain eligible to contest elections, enhancing fairness.

6. The 2018 Electoral Reforms

• Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT): VVPAT was introduced to make the voting process more transparent. It provides a paper trail for each vote cast, which can be verified by voters to ensure that their vote is recorded correctly.

Conclusion

The electoral reforms post-1996 have significantly enhanced the credibility and integrity of the Indian electoral system. By ensuring transparency, reducing corruption, and encouraging greater participation, these reforms have helped build confidence in India’s democratic process. However, challenges remain, and further reforms are needed to tackle issues like criminalization of politics and the growing influence of money in elections.