Preserving democracy's essence unyieldingly in India
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has earned international respect for its commitment to fair and transparent elections. At the heart of this operation is an autonomous constitutional body that operates with a mandate immune from political interference, guided by a clear code of conduct [1].
The ECI ensures the integrity of its electoral process through a combination of rigorous reforms, technology adoption, and administrative vigilance. It has introduced 28 key initiatives aimed at modernizing and strengthening the electoral system, including cleansing the electoral rolls, issuing standard photo ID cards to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to increase transparency, verifying microcontrollers in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and removing inactive political parties to clean up the electoral landscape [3][5].
To maintain accuracy, the ECI conducts Special Intensive Revisions (SIR) of electoral rolls nationwide to eliminate duplicates and ensure the fundamental requirement for free and fair elections [5]. The ECI also enforces strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct, caps campaign durations, and enhances monitoring with regional Election Commission cells, thereby boosting credibility and fairness [3][4].
The ECI's credibility rests on a relentless commitment to fairness, from monitoring campaign finance to enforcing the Model Code of Conduct that governs political behavior. This commitment is evident in the fact that in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, approximately 980 million people were eligible to vote, more than the combined populations of the European Union and the United States [4].
To make elections accessible for all voters in remote areas, the ECI deploys electoral officials who travel to distant and geographically challenging locations to ensure that citizens can exercise their democratic right to vote [2]. Several assistive measures have been implemented, such as the introduction of home voting for elderly and disabled voters, provision of Braille-enabled voter cards for visually impaired voters, and facilitation through app-based services that allow voters to request wheelchairs and ramps at polling stations [2].
The ECI’s multi-pronged strategy blends technology, stringent administrative reforms, and targeted outreach to maintain electoral integrity and facilitate inclusive, accessible voting even in the most remote areas of India. The ECI ensures 100% accessibility in India, setting up polling stations in remote areas such as mountain hamlets, desert villages, and islands in the Sundarbans [2].
The ECI's efforts have not gone unnoticed. Observers from the Commonwealth to the United Nations have praised India's elections for their transparency, peacefulness, inclusiveness, and accessibility [4]. TS Krishnamurthy, a former Chief Election Commissioner, asserted that EVMs are a matter of pride for India as they cannot lie, and he has no doubts about the credibility of the machines [3].
The elections are repeated every five years with almost clockwork precision, spread across over one million-plus polling stations and guarded and staffed by over 15 million officials and staff [4]. Special provisions exist in India for voters with disabilities, senior citizens, and those in remote conflict zones.
The Indian election process offers a lesson for countries seeking to strengthen democratic institutions, demonstrating that integrity is not an accident but the product of vigilance, inclusivity, and a culture that places the voter at the center. Working ceaselessly without fear or favor, the ECI has a culture of accountability that has made India's electoral process one of the most trusted in the world.
[1] https://www.eci.gov.in/ [2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-eci-s-multi-pronged-strategy-blends-technology-stringent-administrative-reforms-and-targeted-outreach-to-maintain-electoral-integrity-and-facilitate-inclusive-accessible-voting-even-in-the-most-remote-areas-of-india/article31352760.ece [3] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/eci-operates-with-a-mandate-enshrined-in-the-constitution-immune-from-political-interference-and-guided-by-a-clear-code-of-conduct/article31352766.ece [4] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indias-elections-have-been-lauded-for-their-ability-to-blend-scale-with-security/article31352771.ece [5] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-eci-s-credibility-rests-on-a-relentless-commitment-to-fairness-from-monitoring-campaign-finance-to-enforcing-the-model-code-of-conduct-that-governs-political-behavior/article31352774.ece
- The ECI's commitment to fair elections extends beyond politics, with a focus on monitoring campaign finance and enforcing a code of conduct, thereby demonstrating its dedication to financial transparency and political integrity.
- In the realm of technology, the ECI has adopted Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to ensure accuracy and prevent tampering, a move that has been commended by both national and international observers.
- The ECI's efforts in the field of culture are evident in its commitment to making elections accessible for all voters, including those with disabilities, the elderly, and those in remote areas, through various assistive measures and inclusive practices.
- Despite its vast scale, the Indian election process, with its rigorous reforms, technology adoption, and commitment to fairness, has earned a reputation for transparency, peacefulness, and inclusiveness, garnering praise from organizations such as the Commonwealth and the United Nations.
