Strengthening Electoral Democracy With Independent, Separate Group Of Civil Servants
- IJLLR Journal
- Jul 31
- 1 min read
Dr. Gowthaman N, Associate Professor of Law (Crime and Tort), Chennai Dr Ambedkar Law College, Pudupakkam.
ABSTRACT
Elections are the mainpillar of a democracy, ensuring the political power is exercised through representatives elected by the people. In India, the Election Commission of India (ECI), a constitutional body established under Article 324, is entrusted with the responsibility of conducting, fair, and impartial elections. While the ECI has historically played a vital role in preserving the integrity of the electoral process, its effectiveness is increasingly undermined by its dependence on personnel borrowed from union and state governments. Revenue officers, teachers, and other government employees, deputed for election duties, often face conflicts of interest, lack specialized training, and operate under the influence of the administrative hierarchy to which they otherwise belong. This dependency compromises the ECI’s independence and credibility, particularly in politically charged environments. The limitations of the current model of the ECI and makes the case for establishing a permanent, independent group of election staff, akin to the civil services. Drawing from constitutional principles, judicial pronouncements, and international models of electoral management, the study explores how an autonomous and professional staff can strengthen electoral democracy in India. It provides concrete recommendations for institutional reforms, training programs, and structural changes to enhance the capacity and impartiality of the ECI. Ultimately, the study argues that strengthening the ECI’s human resources is essential to safeguarding the democratic process and restoring public trust in elections.
Keywords: Election Commission of India, Electoral Democracy, Institutional Autonomy, Dedicated Staff, Electoral Reforms
