PROBE INTO EXORBITANT POLL SPENDING : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

 PROBE INTO EXORBITANT POLL SPENDING

(CM Revanth Rightly Favored

‘Factfinding Committee’ or ‘Enquiry Commission’)

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

The Hans India (12-05-2024)

{Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, expressing serious, genuine, and conscious concern, on the source of funds flow to BRS and BJP Leaders KCR and Modi, in organizing ‘Frequent Public Meetings’ with huge paraphernalia, spending large amounts of money, preferred either a ‘Factfinding Committee’ or an ‘Enquiry Commission’ with ‘Supreme Court Sitting Judge’ to probe, Excessive Expenditure by Candidates. CM Revanth Reddy made it clear, that he and his party too is ready to welcome such a move, if Modi agrees to his suggestion. Let ECI take lead on Revanth Reddy’s Sincere suggestion} – Editor’s Synoptic Observations

With the announcement of ‘Schedule for General Elections’ to the 18^th Lok Sabha, by the Election Commission of India (ECI), two months ago, comprising ‘Seven Phase Lengthy Election Schedule’ spread over two months and half, the ongoing ‘Festival of Democracy’ that cut across ethnic, linguistic, regional, and religious barriers commenced, and is half way through. First three phases of elections (19 April, 26 April, and 7 May) were over. The next phase, including in Telangana, is on Monday (Tomorrow), the May 13, 2024. Final three phases are on May 20 and 25, and June 1, 2024. Total electorate in the country is amazing 97 crores (543 Constituencies).

‘Voter Turnout’ in first three phases was 66.14% (102 Constituencies), 66.71% (88 Constituencies), and 64.4% (93 constituencies), showing significant dip of 4%, 3% and 3% respectively compared to 2019 elections. ECI faced severe criticism over its inordinate delay in publishing voter turnout percentages of first two phases, after revision for four days in its mobile application, and for not releasing final data until April 30. It is normal for ECI to revise voter turnout numbers, though, such an instance seldom happened before. ‘Lack of Transparency’ on the real number of votes cast in each constituency and ‘Apprehensions of Manipulation of Results’ were the concerns expressed.  

The Article 324 of Constitution of India, bestowed relevant powers, duties, and functions upon ECI, to hold ‘General Elections’ whenever due. Accordingly, ECI made ‘Comprehensive Preparations, for ‘Free, Fair, Participative, Accessible, Inclusive, Transparent, and Peaceful’ conduct of elections, with meticulous planning of every aspect, in advance, to ensure ‘Fearless Participation of Electors’ especially in vulnerable places, but with a ‘Rider.’ ECI mobilized ‘Election Machinery’ of more than 12 million officials, the ‘Biggest Human Management Exercise’ in the world, and imparted them ‘Systematic Training’ for flawless conduct of elections. In view of the arduous and difficult journey that polling teams have to undertake to ensure that no voter is left behind, ECI doubled the remuneration of polling officials heading for election duty in remote and difficult areas. Fair Enough.

Provisions of ‘Moral Code of Conduct’ (MCC) a ‘Necessary Evil’ in the conduct of elections, are made applicable to contesting candidates, political parties, and government, by ECI. Election expenses ceiling with a ‘Maximum Limit of Rs 95 Lakhs per Lok Sabha Candidate’ was fixed besides making it mandatory to pay by ‘Crossed Account Payee Cheque or Draft or by RTGS/NEFT’ etc. linked with bank account of the candidate opened for election purpose, if the expenditure exceeds Rs 10,000. ECI’s endeavor to promote equity and ensure quality of the electoral system with the objective of upholding democratic values and principles is nonetheless laudable.

Despite periodical corrective measures, why the ‘Largest Democracy went Wrong’ is a million-dolor question. For instance, visible effect of MCC, like random, infrequent searches, and confiscation of transportation of cash, gold, liquor etc. in excess permitted by law, has been felt by real offenders and also by genuine public. Flying squads and video teams have been querying and quizzing people who are caught. But the question frequently asked by Citizen is, why not the details of individuals caught along with value, and the end result, are ‘Explicitly Displayed’ in public domain.

‘Unfolding Indian Elections-Journey of the Living Democracy,’ a book published by ECI in January 2017, documented exciting anecdotes on Indian Elections. Spending money or buying votes was an anathema in the first general elections held during 1951-52, which Global Community voluntarily witnessed with great interest.

Lengthy electioneering process causes exorbitant expenditure by candidates and political parties, often multiple times over and above mandated by ECI. Dr N Bhaskara Rao, Chairman, Centre for Media Studies (CMS), engaged in tracking election spending for over 35 years, revealed an astounding harsh reality, that, the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections are on track to break all past records and become the ‘Most Expensive Electoral Event in the world’!!!

According to this ‘Internationally Renowned Poll Expert,’ the estimated expenditure would be a staggering Rs 1.35 Lakh Crore, more than double the Rs 60,000 crore spent in 2019!!! This, surpasses the expenditure of 2020 US elections, which stood at $ 14.4 Billion or Rs 1.2 lakh Crore. This comprehensive expenditure, encompasses all spending, direct or indirect, related to polls, including that by political parties and organizations, candidates, government, and ECI.

Expenditure includes the ‘Electoral Bond Disclosures,’ spending on ‘Pre-Election Activities’ which are integral to campaign, that normally takes place prior to announcing voting dates, and spending by parties and candidates towards political rallies, transportation, hiring of human resources, and even on ‘Horse-Trading of Political Leaders.’ Huge spending’s roots are to be traced in the presence of Crorepathi candidates. For instance, about 600 Crorepathi candidates are contesting in just third and fourth phases, including one worth declared assets of over Rs 5700 Crores!!     

According to CMS Dr Rao, Parties and Candidates often find ways to circumvent spending restrictions imposed by MCC, a clear indication of growing ‘Reliance on Money Power over Ideology’ in Indian politics. Rao lamented transformation from ‘Ideology-Driven Election Campaigns’ to ‘Chauvinistic Apparatuses.’ Six key undesirable trends in elections, identified by Dr Rao are, prolonged pre-poll activities, affluent candidates’ dominance, political crossovers, manipulation through various channels, lack of fair play, and power dynamics favoring incumbents.

Remarkably, and laudably, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, in an interview to a Telugu Channel, expressing serious, genuine, and conscious concern, on the source of funds flow to BRS and BJP Leaders KCR and Modi, in organizing ‘Frequent Public Meetings’ with huge paraphernalia, spending large amounts of money, preferred either a ‘Factfinding Committee’ or an ‘Enquiry Commission’ with ‘Supreme Court Sitting Judge’ to probe, including Electoral Bonds and Social Media Expenditure. CM Revanth Reddy made it clear, that he and his party too is ready to welcome such a move, if Modi agrees to his suggestion. Let ECI take lead on Revanth Reddy’s Sincere suggestion.

India has Constitutionally Guaranteed independent Election Commission (ECI), who can be removed only through parliamentary impeachment, since ‘day one’ when the Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949. It is, however, unfortunate that ECI, shoulders its responsibility, only during elections and seldom exhibits its authority and responsiveness, like checking indiscriminate defections when elections do not take place. Is the gap period a ‘Rest Time’?

Two Significant, creditable, and perhaps reasonably successful initiatives of ECI are, establishing the ‘India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM)’ and ‘Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Program’ (SVEEP), to endeavor to promote voters’ participation, voter education, voter literacy in India and contribute to developing stronger democratic institutions.

As part of fostering international cooperation ECI has organized, a five-day ‘Election Visitors’ Program’ to familiarize with the nuances of India’s Electoral System as well as the best practices used by India, the largest democracy in the world. 75 delegates representing Electoral Management Bodies and Organizations from 23 countries, participated in this. Members from International Foundation for Electoral Systems and Media Teams also participated. After the program, delegates in small groups, embarked on visits to constituencies in six states, to observe polls, and their preparedness. Kudos to ECI.

Well, it is high time, for serious consideration to bring ‘Conscious Electoral Reforms,’ for ‘Making an Effective and Efficient Difference’ by introducing ‘Anytime, Anywhere Voting’ system, through ‘Permanent Social Security Number Voter ID Card’ by the ECI. Instead of ‘Earmarked Fixed Booth,’ voter shall be given an ‘Exit option’ to vote ‘Anytime, Anywhere’ including outside the constituency, district, and state.

‘ECI should Regain Its Credibility’ and send strong message to world community, on distinctiveness of Elections in the ‘Largest Democracy’!!! For our part, Let us all exercise our ‘Right to Vote’ and take part in building a stronger Democratic Nation.