India is no longer regarded as a truly democratic country, and a Swedish institute has classed it as an electoral autocracy instead. After the BJP came to power, the country’s democracy began to deteriorate. However, there are a few institutions in India that keep “semi-democracy” alive. The first is the Indian Election Commission. Elections at regular intervals are one of the most essential elements of India’s democratic strategy. Periodic, free, and fair elections are fundamental components of a democratic government and are enshrined in the Constitution’s basic framework. The Election Commission is widely recognised as the country’s election guardian.
It establishes rules for political parties and candidates to follow throughout an election campaign. However, there have been cases of numerous political parties breaking the rule, with complaints made about candidates abusing official machinery. The lack of formal support does not, however, prohibit the commission from enforcing it. In India, voters can choose between two methods of voting: electronic voting machines and postal voting. India was the first country to use large-scale electronic voting. The Election Commission introduced Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) to eliminate fraud and enhance efficiency. They were used for the first time in the 1982 Kerala State Legislative Assembly Elections on an experimental basis.
The commission agreed to begin using these voting devices after satisfactory testing and legal questions. None of the above, as well as NOTA, was added as an option on voting machines in 2014, and is now a required choice in any election. On September 18, 2015, the NOTA symbol, a voting paper with a black cross across it, was introduced. Postal voting, which uses the “Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot Papers (ETPB)” technology, is the second option. Before the EVM votes are counted, postal votes are counted first. Only specific individuals are eligible to register as postal voters.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is the next institution that keeps India’s democracy alive. It is the top authority in charge of external and internal audits of national and state government expenditures. It is commonly referred to as India’s CAG. He or she is the Indian Audit and Accounts Department’s director.
To protect the interests of the public purse, he or she must defend the Indian Constitution and Parliamentary statutes. The Indian Audit and Accounts Service assists the CAG in doing his or her duties. The Supreme Court of India is the next institution. The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial court in the country. It is the country’s highest court of appeal. Appeals from the High Courts, other courts, and tribunals are heard by the Supreme Court. It resolves conflicts between various government agencies, state governments, and the federal government and any state government. In its consultative capacity, it also hears matters that the President refers to. The SC can also consider cases on its own initiative (on its own).
The Supreme Court’s decision is binding on all Indian courts, as well as the Union and state governments. As a result, they were the few institutions that ensured India’s democracy.
References:-
- https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/6Uu9dCpe8Mggs2aCZ9O6lO/Strengthening-Indias-institutions.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Election_Commission_of_India
- https://cleartax.in/g/terms/cag-comptroller-and-auditor-general-of-india
Aishwarya Says:
I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN THE SAME, DO LET ME KNOW.
Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter Youtube and Instagram.
The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.
If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at secondinnings.hr@gmail.com
In the year 2021, we wrote about 1000 Inspirational Women In India, in the year 2022, we would be featuring 5000 Start Up Stories.