ELECTORAL REFORM

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The Chief Election Commissioner has suggested 6 key electoral reforms to the Union Law Ministry.
- Issue guidelines for the linking of Aadhaar with voter IDs.
- The election commission has asked the Powers to deregister political parties.
- Mandatory disclosure of all donations above Rs 2,000.
- Empowers the commission to register associations and bodies as political parties.
- Restrict the number of seats a candidate can contest from.
- Ban on exit polls and opinion polls

Important Reforms Taken in Electoral System

The right to vote irrespective of Caste, Creed, Religion or Gender.
Lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 through the 61st Amendment Act of 1988.
Provision was made for voting by Certain Classes of Persons through Postal ballot.
A facility for voting through Proxy was provided to the Service voters belonging to the Armed forces.
Rajya Sabha elections were reformed by removing the domicile of the Contesting Candidate and the Introduction of an open ballot system was introduced.
Exemption of travelling expenditure from being included in the election expenses of the Candidate was made.
Restrictions were imposed on conducting exit Polls and Publishing the results of exit Polls.
Provision was made for the disqualification of a Person found guilty of Corrupt Practices.
Appointment of appellate authorities within the district.
Voting rights for Citizens of India living abroad were provided in 2010.
The ceiling on election expenditure was increased.
Those who are deemed unsound of mind and People Convicted of Certain Criminal offences are not allowed to vote.
Introduced Electoral Photo Identity Card, also allows certain alternative documents like government I-Cards, Passports, PAN Cards, driving license, bank/Post office account Passbook, Property documents, SC/ST/OBC Certificate, Pension documents, Job cards issued under NREGA and Health insurance Scheme Smart Cards to establish the identity of the electors in the Polling Stations.
Introduced by 52nd Amendment Act, for the disqualification of the members of Parliament and the State legislatures on the ground of defection from one Political Party to another.
- Disqualification on grounds of defection is not to apply in the case of a Split.
Model Code of Conduct evolved by Election Commission based on a consensus among political parties.
All Recognised National and State Parties have been allowed free access to the State-owned electronic media: AIR and Doordarshan.
NOTA Option - In its efforts of Cleansing the Political System, Supreme Court upheld the right of voters to reject all candidates contesting the elections.

Election Commission of India

It is a permanent constitutional body.
Article 324 of the constitution establishes the Election Commission of India.
It was established on 25th January 1950.
It supervises the conduct of elections to Parliament and Legislature of every State and elections to the offices of President and Vice-President of India.
It consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
- Originally, there was only Chief Election Commissioner, there were no Election Commissioners.

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Appointment of Election Commissioners

The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
Tenure of 6 years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
The status, salary and perks of election commissioners are equivalent to Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through impeachment by
- Other members can be removed by the President in consultation with the Chief Election Commissioner.
The President may appoint Regional Election Commissioners in consultation with the CEC before elections to the Parliament or Assemblies.
The Chief Election Commissioner cannot hold any office of profit after retirement.
The Chief Election Commissioner cannot be reappointed to the post.