It was under T N Seshan that the Election Commission started baring its teeth. Though for many T N Seshan is a hero, he definitely showed Autocratic tendencies, took advantage of the political weakness of the various parties during the unstable 1990-1996 era. Though we can give a benefit of doubt to Seshan, who wanted to clean the Augean stables, his successors while demonstrating the same 'my way or highway attitude' have remained bureaucratic nincompoops, who just wanted to flash their power without upsetting the apple cart.
Let us review some of the key decisions implemented by them over the past two decades;
Electronic Voting Machines : It is admirable that EVMs are being used all over the Country. But in reality the only advantages we have had are 1) Saving reams and reams of paper and 2) Counting is faster. But serious reservations remain about the EVMs integrity. It has been demonstrated that EVMs can be tampered with, but the EC has taken an Ostrich view of things and refused to believe this. Clamour for the EVMs issuing a paper receipt is only being considered now. The old system was cumbersome, but its integrity was never in question. Regarding the second point of the counting being faster, the advantage is lost when we get to count the votes after 45 days of the votes being polled in some cases
Election Schedule spread over weeks: We used to conduct polls across India in a single day and the paper votes being counted within 48 hours. But now, even with EVM, the election is spread over 4-6 weeks and we have to wait for ages to find the result. The purported reason is the need to move paramilitary forces across the country. Frankly, the country has not deteriorated that much over the past few decades. What is good for 1980s is good for even now.
Model Code of Conduct: EC imposes Model Code of Conduct at least 2 months before polls are held. Though the purpose is to prevent the ruling party from announcing largesse on poll eve, in reality all this has done is to hamper even routine government decision making. Since the ruling party knows MCC will be implemented any way, they do still announce largesse before MCC comes into force. When candidates violate MCC by making remarks based on religion, all they get is a slap on their hands and a diktat to behave well in the future. This is a joke.
Declaration by Candidates of their Assets: Every single candidate lies and reveals only a fraction of their assets. And no one has been disqualified for this.
Curb on Election Expenditure: Show me one candidate who has been disqualified for spending more than the limit. The EC puts some ridiculously absurd low limits without even indexing for inflation, and encourages every candidate to use black money. Another pointless exercise.
Inability to created a system for NRIs to vote: India has a vast NRI population, who are citizens of this country. Despite Supreme Court directive, the EC has not been able to develop a system whereby the NRI can vote either online or in the country where he lives. A few years back NRIs were allowed to be registered as voters, but has to visit his constituency on the polling day to vote. The insensitivity of the EC towards NRIs is a mystery.
Reviewing Electoral Malpractices: Now a losing candidate has to seek redress from the Courts to get a rival, who has won by malpractice, disqualified, and this takes ages. The classic case is of P Chidambaram, against whom there is a case filed post the 2009 election. PC became both the Home and Finance Minister, is accused on indulging in corrupt practices, and the case hasn't even come up for hearing, even after the next election. It is a moot point why we should have an EC, who pokes their head into all the other aspects of the election, but don't want to touch something as crucial as this.
All the EC has done over the years is to create confusion without tangible benefits.
