To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (Answer in 250 words)

The Election Commission’s 2016 reform proposals addressed the integrity of elections, political finance, representation and the credibility of democratic choice.

• Decriminalise politics through speedy trials, disclosure of criminal antecedents and disqualification on conviction; bar candidates from contesting while charges are framed for serious offences with safeguards against misuse.
• Regulate party finances through transparent donations, audited accounts, disclosure of foreign and anonymous funding, and state support or in-kind campaign facilities.
• Strengthen the Model Code of Conduct, curb paid news and misuse of official machinery, and empower the Commission against violations.
• Improve voter rolls, remote or proxy voting for specified categories, voter-verifiable systems, inner-party democracy, and a permanent electoral management framework.
• Revisit the ceiling and disclosure of campaign expenditure and bring party expenditure within meaningful scrutiny.

These reforms can improve informed voting, level the field, reduce criminal and monetary capture, and increase institutional trust. Yet laws must preserve due process, prevent selective enforcement and protect the Commission’s independence. Political parties and Parliament must provide statutory backing, investigative capacity, transparent appointments and timely adjudication. Civic education, media ethics and judicial monitoring are complementary. Reform succeeds when voters receive reliable information and parties face enforceable consequences, not merely advisory instructions.

Reforms should also improve representation of women and marginalised groups, make voter education continuous, and protect the Commission from partisan appointments. Technology is useful only when paper trails, accessibility and human audit preserve public confidence.

ECI; electoral integrity; criminalisation; political finance; Model Code; paid news; informed choice.