Electoral Malpractices Lecture Notes PDF

Ethics and Values Dr. M Rashmi Department of Social Sciences VIT University, Vellore Lecture – 22 Electoral Malpra...

Ethics and Values Dr. M Rashmi Department of Social Sciences VIT University, Vellore Lecture – 22 Electoral Malpractices Welcome back to our lectures on social issues. In the previous lecture, we discuss about the laws and the preventive measures to be undertaken for the effective control of corruption in India. In today’s lecture we will understand the meaning of electoral malpractice. Now, before we start let me ask you a simple question. Why do we need elections? I am sure you have the answer ready with you. Definitely, it is the basic mechanism by which we practice universal adult suffrage or in simple terms, our right to vote our representative through elections. Elections can be considered as an instrument of choice all over the democratic world. It serves as the basic mechanism for both electing and replacing ruling elites and for providing a regular and systematic succession in government. It also helps us to determine how a country or a state is governed and at the same time select who will exercise state power. You know it is the principal mechanism by which citizens hold governments accountable, both retrospectively for their policies and more generally for the manner in which they govern. They also reinforce party activities and generate awareness regarding the process of election. They intensify political response and awareness of people. As I said, they educate youngsters like you people, as they are exposed to a lot of debates and discussions which are held during the time of election. They grant legitimacy to government. Election is a device through which a modern state creates among its citizens a sense of involvement and participation in public affairs. Hence, a good electoral system is the foundation of a genuine representative government. India is a constitutional democracy with a parliamentary system of government, and at the heart of the system is a commitment to hold regular, free and fair elections. These elections determine the composition of the government, the membership of the two houses of parliament, the state and union territory legislative assemblies, and the Presidency and vice presidency. The working of Indian electoral system has witnessed several drawbacks and malpractices. The discrepancy between the votes cast for a party and the seats won in parliament, the multiplicity of political parties, personality cult in party system, exploitation of caste and communal loyalties, role of muscle and money power, misuse of governmental machinery, fraudulent practices like booth-capturing, intimidation and impersonation of voters are important drawbacks of Indian electoral system. Therefore, electoral malpractice is a major type of political corruption. It thrives in a society in which the degree of political and administrative morality is low. A transparent electoral system is one of the most important prerequisites for present day democratic practice in both developed and developing countries. Now, amongst the following, identify any one electoral malpractice. a) Communal hate speech 1 b) Embezzlement c) Nepotism I hope you have the answer which is option a communal hate speech. Yes, embezzlement and nepotism are forms of corruption but we are talking about malpractices which are specifically conducted during the time of elections or to influence the process of elections or the results of elections. I am sure you have understood the meaning of electoral malpractice. In the next lecture, we will discuss the types of electoral malpractices. Thank you. 2