Electoral reforms: an urgent need of indian democracy Malviya Mukesh Kumar1, Dr., Rana Ranjita2, Dr. 1Assistant Professor, Law School, BHU, Varanasi. 2Bharat College of Law, Rurki, Kurukshetra. Abstract In India, elections are the considered a very important and integral part of politics in the democratic system. A strong democracy can only be imagined, when elections are free and fair without manipulation. There are many reasons, in the democratic system due to which Election commission does not function properly and electoral process is affected. For last few decades a number of issues have come into the light, various new trends of acts which hampered the electoral and democratic process. Legislative changes were made but they are not enough effective. For example, the Election Commission has developed the Code of Conduct, and passed several structures for which elections process can be run smoothly. in recent years, a situation has arisen in India something alarming trends that have been noticed which to expose to danger to democratic freedoms we enjoy in India today. The proliferation of candidates having criminal antecedents, abuse of money power and illegal mode of funding elections are eating the roots of electoral tree. There is a need to strengthen the existing electoral provisions which can only be done with various reforms in our electoral system. There has been an urgent needfor electoral reforms and demand has been made by many government committees. In this paper we will discuss why there is a need of electoral reforms in India. Further we will discuss the steps taken by the legislature and election commission. And finally we will discuss the way forward. Top Keywords Elections, Reforms, Issues, Democracy, Criminalization of Politics, Money Power, Muscle Power, EVM, VVPATs. Top |