Election System in India: Process, Reforms, and Challenges

TOPIC CLASSIFICATION

Subject: Indian Polity - Electoral System
Sub-topic: Election Commission, Electoral Process, Reforms, Political Parties
Mains GS Paper-II: Election Commission - powers, functions, electoral reforms, role of money and muscle power.

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EXAMINER REASONING

Elections are the beating heart of Indian democracy - and a perennial UPSC favorite. Prelims tests: constitutional provisions (Art. 324-329), composition of EC, qualifications, Oath, and grounds for removal. Mains demands: critical evaluation of EVM-VVPAT reliability, electoral bonds, state funding of elections, criminalization of politics, and model code of conduct violations. The Dinesh Goswami and Law Commission 255th/273rd reports are exam staples.

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Core Concept

Constitutional Framework (Part XV, Art. 324-329):

• Election Commission (Art. 324): Superintendence, direction, and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, President, and Vice-President
• Composition: Chief Election Commissioner + 2 Election Commissioners (added 1989, 1993)
• CEC removal: Same as Supreme Court Judge - impeachment on proved misbehaviour/incapacity
• EC removal: On recommendation of CEC

Electoral Process:

1. Notification by EC → Filing of nominations → Scrutiny → Withdrawal → Campaign (Model Code of Conduct applies)
2. Voting → Counting → Result declaration
3. First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system for Lok Sabha and Assemblies
4. Proportional Representation (PR)...