Elections in India is huge and complex. The electoral process also elaborate. In the course of the last 50 years the election process has show n a number of shortcomings which have arisen out of the politico-social, economic and cultural conditions prevailing in our country. Caste . and religious factors have become predominant. Vote banks, rigging, booth-capturing, proxy voting etc., have become common. In view of these, several electoral reforms have been taken up in recent years.
They may be outlined as follows:-
(a) To provide representation to the country, the voting age was reduced from 21 years to 18 years for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
(b) To overcome various problems arising in the election process. Electronic Voting Machines have been introduced.
(c) To discourage candidates who are not serious in contesting in the elections and to avoid multiplicity of such candidates, the *** amount has been increased.
(d) To deal with proxy voting, identity cards with photographs is being issued to all voters by the Election Commission.
(e) In recognition of the voters right to information, the Election Commission has decided on mandatory disclosure of their antecedents by the candidates.
(f) To curb the role of money in elections and to enable the service minded persons to contest in the elections, Tndrajit Gupta Committee recommended for state funding of elections.
(g) In order to ensure free and fair elections, the candidates should furnish the details about their educational qualifications, movable and immovable property and **** background.
(h) In order to promote the elections more trustworthy. Election Commission of India has . introduced VVPAT and VSDL! devices along with EVMs during pooling.
