1 year ago
Report: State Election Commissions Lack Powers, Delaying Elections
Imagine local government elections, like choosing leaders for your city.
A new report says these elections are often delayed because the people in charge (SECs) don't have enough power.
They can't always decide where voting areas are or who can run.
This lets state governments change the rules, causing confusion.
The report suggests changing the rules so the SECs can do their job properly and elections happen on time, just like choosing leaders for the country.
A report highlights delays in urban local government (ULG) elections due to constraints on State Election Commissions (SECs).
The report states most SECs lack authority over ward delimitation and reservation processes.
The report indicates that state governments can change rules, causing electoral uncertainty.
61% of ULGs in 17 states have faced election delays, as per CAG reports.
The report suggests constitutional amendments to empower SECs and define election timelines.
- Who
- Janaagraha released the report.
- What
- A report highlighting delays in urban local government elections and issues with State Election Commissions' powers.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- When
- The report was released on August 6.
- Why
- To address delays and issues with urban local government elections.
Status Quo
Proposed Reforms
Election Delays
Status Quo
Current rules allow state governments to delay elections.
Proposed Reforms
The report proposes defining election timelines and giving more authority to SECs.
Key facts
- Report Publisher
- Janaagraha
- Date of Release
- August 6
- Location of Release
- Delhi
- SECs with ward delimitation & reservation powers
- 8 out of 34
- ULGs with election delays (CAG data)
- 61% in 17 states
- Constitution Amendment Recommendation
- To define timelines and empower SECs
Quotes
Alok Kumar
Former Assam state election commissioner
“Cities being key drivers of economic growth, sustainable uses of resources and social justice require a governance model deeply entrenched in the Constitutional jurisdiction and division of power. This is an idea whose time has come. There is no substitute to independent, empowered and resourceful local self-government if we aspire to become a developed country by 2047.”
indianexpress.com
Srikanth Viswanathan
Janaagraha CEO
“Elections once in five years before expiry of the term of the outgoing elected body is well established for ULGs, just like in the case of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. The 74th Constitution Amendment Act and Supreme Court judgements are unequivocal in this. Yet state governments are delaying elections to hundreds of ULGs with impunity, with delays sometimes stretching for months and years on end. This status quo needs to stop.”
indianexpress.com
