1. “ELECTORAL REFORMS”
Dr.Raghu Ram Uppalapati , Mr.John Preetham ,Mr. Manikanta Reddy ,
Miss. Anusha U , Mr.Pradeep
Dr.NTR UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES , AP .

2. • We call India as Largest Democratic country in the world . As People
are given supreme status in democracy , We feel that the ‘Reforms’
should begin from the people . The definition of ‘Politics’ had been
redefined by the latest political stunt masters . But instead of playing
blame games on politicians , its high time that we have to concentrate
on “ELECTORAL REFORMS both by the ECI & Citizens ” to establish
clean politics .
• In India , we can observe a generalized hatred over the politicians in
Common people , particularly in youth . Then why such “undesired”
people are becoming our representatives ?
• Politician have many factors to trap the minds of
people at the time of elections ……….
• (1)Money (2) Caste (3) Religion (4) Region (5) Language (6) Race
(7) Sex (8) Promises (9) Influence (10) Sympathy (11) Fear .............
& Recently “Publicity as if rest are Corrupts /rapists /racists etc & Only
they are SINCERE ”
• Like wise ...... we can give an never ending list ........ We have seen
many parties emerged and still emerging on the name of above
mentioned factors .

3. • Even in 6th standard Social studies book it will be mentioned that
– “ No political Parties should use Religion or Region or Caste or
any other factors that hits our National Integrity” . But today we
see that there are parties representing almost all the major
religions in India and parties still emerging on the base of all the
above mentioned factors . One thing we can observe here is that
“We have many rules and many loopholes ” or some times they
are not implemented .
• One Interesting Example : Our Constitution gave special
provisions to safeguard the uniqueness and honour of our
National Symbols . It is even mentioned in the Election
Commission regulations that No poltical parties can use
National Symbols for any purposes . But shocking one National
Party uses the Tricolours in our National Flag for its Party flag
and party purposes . One more major National party was using
“LOTUS” ( one of our National Symbols) as its Party Symbol .
• We all know “ How we ourself follows the rules & How well the
rules are implemented in our Nation ” . But when the same is
being with the rules framed by Election Commission – Its going
to brutally hit our Indians Future

4. As per our Observation :
Some of the major problems concerned with elections in
India .
# Note for Vote
# Being trapped by the mentioned Factors
# Caste / Gender based reservations
# EVM mode of elections
# Alliance governments
# Lacking realistic view for ECI
# Lack of interest to vote in many sectors
# People considering ‘Trends’ while voting
# Political fight even at village level

5. “ NOTE FOR VOTE ” - Its been part and principal of majority of Indian
Political parties .
Its not the recent trend , but started from the very early election in Independent
India . At that time VOTE SLIP given to Voter was to be dropped in the BALLOT
BOXES of various parties . Even then there are some people who used to bring
their VOTE SLIP without dropping them in any of the boxes and sell it for 25 Paisa to
Rs.1 rupee . Over a time the PRICE for vote increased and Vote sellers had
increased . The great progress we achieved in this aspect is – Now even the elected
Representatives are being for SALE . India knows how a Minority Govt completed its
full turn from 1991 – 96 and how many state governments are running today .
Recently our Parliament been the witness for the BUNDLES of NOTES distributed
for MP to vote in their favour . Its nothing wrong to say that – There are even many
POLITICAL PARTIES in India for SALE . This is the most alarming scenario that can
brutally hit our Nations Future if it is not Corrected .
Initially ---- People’s Votes for sale
Later on ---MLA’s / MP’s/ Representatives Votes for sale .
Now --- Even many political parties are for sale .

6. • ALLIANCE GOVERNMENTS :
• And now , in this multiparty democracy we had seen end of a Single
party alliance & its not even in reach . In 1991 ,1998 & 99 India had
seen mid term elections , in 2004 the union govt was forced to go for
early election by a state party . We are also witnessed the state parties
favouring their states after being a part in union govt . Union Govts are
running by bowing before the end number of local parties , meeting all
their demands , many a times even supporting their mischief’s .
Recently they even started influencing the foreign polices of Indian
Union Govt . So , in future if some one wishes for a stable government ,
it is to be crippled / with bent back bone .
• - Only , Pre Poll alliances should be accepted and the allies should be
bounded by laws without breaking up in middle.
• RESIGNATIONS :
• Recently its been a fashion to resign for parliament & contest back in
the by elections. They are marking as sacrifice and asking the people to
vote back for them . Its one the options being selected by some
politicians to bring their issues or problems to live light .
- Person who resigns should not be allowed to compete in the Very
next elections.

7. CASTE BASED & GENDER BASED RESERVATIONS :
Our great political parties had amended constitution and given caste based reservations in
Parliaments & Assembles . 33 % of women reservation bill is on pending . We all know that
these parties will just give their B - forms only for the RICH in that particular castes or For
Wifes or Daughter in Law’s of the present Leaders .
If the parties are really interested or worried about their representation – They can make a
“Political Party Reservation Policy/ bill ” and get it accepted by parliament easily without any
constitutional amendments . In such case they can even reserve 50% or even more of their
Party tickets for women or whom ever they feel like to be supported .
We should realize one thing – Our Constitution gives us Right to VOTE & Right to COMPETE
in Elections . If one even being 25 yrs old looses his Right to COMPETE , then there is no
sense in Having right to VOTE and in doing a mass propaganda asking the people to vote .
To be considered :
(1) In our Nation we are sure that – People will vote without considering the REGION of contestant . If
not in our constituency where we have Vote , it will certainly be a very difficult task . The other
candidates will certainly bring the “Non Local” aspect and anyone can expect its outcome . Particularly ,
It will be merely impossible for an Independent to win in such circumstances .
(2) This can be even used as a weapon for parties to target a Independent or powerful leaders by
reserving his constituency .
(3) This will still weakens the local leadership and make them dependent on Parties .
(4) If a MP / MLA’s gets known that he / she will not have an opportunity to contest in the same
constituency – They may not at all feel responsible and also can start concentrating on a different
segment . They will be busy in impressing their High commands that bothering about the people whom
they are representing .

8. OUR SUGESSTION :
Yes , they should be supported . But not yet discriminating or taking away right to contest of
others . One best way possible is that – All Political parties should reserve 50 % of party
seats and election tickets for Women . We are sure that there will be better chances for
emergence of strong women leaders than ‘ Term Representatives for Husbands / fathers ’. All
the political parties who says that they are sincerely committed for that should start by
allotting 50 % of their Rajya Sabha seats to women . It can be the same with caste based
reservations – They can reserve a higher percentage of their party posts and election tickets
for the proposed communities .
They can make an act regarding guidelines and reservations for “allotment of registered
Party tickets / B – forms ”. Such an act can be passed with just one half majority without any
constitutional amendments needed .
DIRECT ELECTION : To have a stable Union government ,
we are sure that we need to make major amendments in the
electorial pattern and go for a DIRECT ELECTION . Of course in
a Country like India where there are many elements to divide
people , but still some day we may be left with no other
option than “Direct Voting for Prime minister candidate”
allowing all the National Praties to keep a contestant .

9. BALLOT BOXES INSTEAD OF EVM’S :
The disadvantages are over ruling the advantages of EVM’s . Particularly for the Indian
Context , its not the need of the day .
“Privacy” during vote is the basic aspect when giving our vote . We think that it not only applies for
individuals , but also for the small group of people .
The factor of FEAR is being encouraged by EVM’s in rural areas – Its being easy for the politician to
identify the people who voted them and who denied them .
Ex : In our Village where there are 350 odd voters , the election was also singlesided from over years . But there was
no strong evidence as all the ballot paper were mixed before counting as per the previous system . But now , after
knowing that only 20 – 30 people voted for him , a winning candidate neglected the problems of our village . The
supporters of the winning candidate , who got known that none others voted for them , inspite of taking gifts / money
– gone for clashes with the lower sections . In the next election , there were good votes for the same person , can say
that – Its due to FEAR .
It will be very difficult for the people to take a wise decision even if a hopeful person in contesting .
Knowing that he / she is the best option – they will be forced to vote as per the projected trends or talks
•Even after calculating people who learnt their signature as ‘Literates’ India is lagging behind in literacy rate
– Many people reported that they feel a bit nervous when they are voting in EVM’s .
•Problems with EVM’s , Suspections of people and parties are also to be considered .
•ECI says that ‘ They are going to introduce giving VOTE SLIP after voting in EVM’s . Then what should the
voter do with the slip ? take it out with him ? or should deposit in one more box over there ?
•If ECI says they can take it with him – Its going to be horrible . Or if it was supposed to be dropped in
another box – Its again the same as ballot box . The only thing that makes difference is it will be few hours
late to announce the results .
• SO , considering all it is highly recommended to go back with the BALLOT BOX
system .

10. PROMISES SHOULD BE MONITORED : FREE ..... FREE ..... FREE ...... Schemes by
various political parties should be monitored rules should be framed to control these things ,
which are worstly hitting our economy and productivity .
REALISTIC APPROACH :
WHEN MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES ARE DISTRIBUTING 1000’S , ITS BEING UNEVITABLE. BUT
INDEPENDENDETS OR ‘LOW BUDGET CONTESTENTS’ NOT ALLOWED TO STICK POSTERS OR
DISTRIBUTE AS MANT AS PALM LETS THEY WANT . ( EC’S attempts to control money
expenditure in Elections)
ELECTION COMMISSION SHOULD NOT ALLOW TO USE THE “PARTY” NAME / SYMBOL IN
THE PANCHAYAT OR LOCAL BOSY ELECTIONS. WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW VILLAGES TO
DIVIDED INTO GROUPS ON THE NAME OF PARTIES .
PERCENTAGE HOUSE :
This might be the new proposal – There should be one more house in state and National
level with 100 seats . The seats can be alloted to the parties on the basis of their vote share
. So that people can vote even the small parties , without going back thinking that they may
not win any seats .
ROLE FOR THE RUNNER : - EC and the govts should consider giving the runner up
in every constituency some role to do with . They can act as opposition in their places and
always alert the Winning representative.

11. VOTING DAY NOT A HOLIDAY , for the people who don’t vote : We observed that
on the voting days , all the movie theatres , restaurants , malls are busy with people .
Having holiday on the name of election , many people are habituated to enjoy on that day
without even voting . So in all the government and private workplaces , Voting day should
be considered as ‘Leave’ for the employers who had’nt voted .
OPURTUNITY FOR 18 PLUS STUDENTS TO VOTE : Being in professional colleges and at
non local places many students are not getting a chance to vote . Inspite of all the efforts
of EC , its being a difficult task . Colleges should be orderered to see that all its 18 yr plus
student gets his Vote . NSS units can be linked for this work .
ONE MAY QUESTION US – “DO YOU THINK ALL THESE ARE POSSIBLE ?”
What we strongly believe is that If people can get away from all the
attractive promises , schemes and from the ‘Trapping Factors’ – We are sure there will be
a government for which “Citizens and Nations interests” will be their single agenda .
Then with a committed Government , hopefully all the good things are always possible.
JAI HIND ! JAI BHARAT !!