Is the Credibility of the Election Commission Under Threat?

— A Detailed UPSC-Oriented Blog by Suryavanshi IAS

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🔎 Introduction: Trust Is the Real Backbone of Democracy

In any democracy, elections must not only be fair but also be perceived as fair — especially by those who lose. Like a court judgment or a sporting match, the process must be so trustworthy that even the defeated accept the result.

In the wake of the 2024 general elections, serious allegations have emerged from opposition leaders, particularly Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, regarding the credibility and functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI). These accusations call for a deeper inquiry into the functioning and transparency of this constitutional body.

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🎓 Relevance to UPSC GS Paper 2

Syllabus Coverage:

• Constitutional Bodies: Election Commission

• Transparency and Accountability

• Electoral Reforms in India

• Declining trust in democratic institutions

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🧠 Allegations Against ECI: What Happened Recently?

1. Rahul Gandhi’s Accusation

• Accuses the ECI of electoral irregularities in 2024

• Promises to reveal more discrepancies soon

2. Tejashwi Yadav’s Case

• Claimed that his name was missing from the draft electoral roll

• Investigation revealed a mismatch in EPIC number

3. Historical Context: Modi vs ECI

• As Gujarat CM, Narendra Modi had also questioned ECI’s neutrality

Conclusion: Allegations may be politically motivated, but repeated concerns from both ruling and opposition parties point toward a growing trust deficit.

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🕵️‍ Areas of Concern in ECI Functioning

Function	Issues Raised
Voter Roll Update	Errors, missing names
Election Scheduling	Accusations of bias
Code of Conduct Enforcement	Unequal action against parties
EVM and VVPAT Transparency	Lack of audit, opaque systems
Grievance Redressal	Delayed and weak response

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📊 EVM and VVPAT: Why the Suspicion?

Structure of EVM:

• Ballot Unit

• Control Unit

• VVPAT: The only unit with software installed centrally

Core Issues:

• VVPAT is connected to the Control Unit, and its random verification process is limited

• Only a few booths are tallied, leading to questions about overall fairness

• Political parties have varying monitoring capabilities

The ECI insists that EVMs are tamper-proof but fails to ensure transparency in verification.

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📉 The Crisis of Trust: Why It Matters

• Political parties may raise objections, but the real stakeholder is the citizen.

• If people begin to doubt the election process, it erodes the moral legitimacy of the government.

• It could lead to voter apathy, civil unrest, or democratic decay.

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🤝 Suggestions to Restore Credibility in ECI

Institutional Reforms:

1. 100% VVPAT Matching (phase-wise implementation)

2. Public audit of EVM software by independent agencies

3. Digital verification of voter rolls

4. Independent election grievance portal

5. Establish a Citizen Oversight Committee

Legal and Parliamentary Oversight:

• Ensure periodic constitutional and parliamentary review of ECI's functioning

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🇮🇳 Democracy Needs Trust and Reform

The Election Commission must not only be fair and efficient but also appear fair and impartial. With the integrity of elections under scrutiny, it becomes essential for ECI to strengthen its processes and communication to reassure the public of its credibility.

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📈 Related UPSC Questions (GS Paper 2)

Year	Question
2023	“Rising concerns over ECI neutrality pose a threat to Indian democracy.” Critically examine.
2020	"Evaluate the autonomy and integrity of the Election Commission of India. Suggest reforms."
2017	“Discuss transparency in EVM and VVPAT usage.”
2016	"Examine the powers and limitations of the Election Commission of India."

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📄 Mains Answer Writing Framework

Q: “Rising distrust in the Election Commission is a danger to Indian democracy. Comment with causes and solutions.” (250 words)

Structure:

1. Introduction — Importance of trust in elections

2. Body:

   • Key allegations and examples

   • Implications on democracy

   • Suggestions for improvement

3. Conclusion — Rebuild trust through transparency and reforms

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✅ Final Thought

ECI must evolve with rising expectations and challenges. In a dynamic democracy like India, transparency and institutional integrity are not optional — they are foundational.