Moving the spotlight to grassroots democracy

• Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure.

Context:

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is lauded for its impeccable track record in conducting free and fair elections at the national and state levels. However, the same cannot be said for the 34 State Election Commissions (SECs), which oversee elections to panchayats and urban local bodies.
• Despite being constitutionally empowered, these SECs face systemic disempowerment, undermining grassroots democracy and effective local governance.
• The Constitutional Mandate and Its Challenges: Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution, introduced by the 73rd and 74th amendments, vested SECs with the authority to conduct elections for panchayats and urban local governments (ULGs).
• However, in practice, SECs are often at odds with state governments, facing legal challenges and administrative hurdles that delay or obstruct the electoral process.
• A case in point is the Karnataka SEC's legal battle against the state government over delayed elections to panchayat raj institutions, highlighting the persistent challenges SECs encounter.
• Impact of Disempowerment on Local Governance: The systemic disempowerment of SECs has far-reaching consequences for local governance.
• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India's performance audits reveal that a significant number of urban local governments (ULGs) lack elected councils due to delays in holding elections.
• This erosion of local democratic institutions not only undermines public trust but also hampers effective service delivery at the grassroots level.
• The Need for Electoral Reforms: To ensure the sanctity of local elections and strengthen grassroots democracy, several electoral reforms are imperative:
• Empowering SECs on Par with the ECI: SECs must be empowered to function with the same level of transparency and independence as the ECI. A three-member SEC, appointed by a committee comprising the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and Chief Justice of the High Court, could ensure impartiality and reduce state government interference.
• Regularized Delimitation and Reservation Processes: The delimitation of ward boundaries and reservation of seats should occur at fixed intervals, such as every 10 years, to prevent arbitrary delays by state governments. This would ensure timely elections and prevent manipulation of the electoral process.
• Vesting SECs with Comprehensive Powers: SECs should be entrusted with the authority to determine reservations for local government positions, such as mayors and presidents, and oversee elections to these posts. This would minimize delays and ensure that local governments are fully functional immediately after elections.
• Addressing Malpractices in Local Elections: SECs should also be given the responsibility to oversee the election of mayors, presidents, and standing committees to curb malpractices and ensure fair conduct of elections at all levels of local governance.