Question

Suggest and explain any five measures to reform political parties.

Answer 1

i) The anti-defection law was introduced to curb the growing trend of elected representatives who changed political parties to become ministers or to get cash rewards.
ii) The affidavit requirement was an order passed by the Supreme Court as a measure to curb the challenge of money and muscle power.
iii) The third reform measure was made by the Election Commission where for all political parties it was mandatory to hold regular elections and also file their income tax returns.
Besides these, many suggestions are often made to reform political parties:

iv) It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets, about one-third, to women candidates. Similarly, there should be a quota for women in the decision-making bodies of the party.
v) There should be state funding of elections. The government should give parties money to support their election expenses. This support could be given in kind: petrol, paper, telephone etc. Or it could be given in cash on the basis of the votes secured by the party in the last election.