Prelims: Polity (Constitutional Bodies)
Mains: GS Paper II Appointments to various constitutional posts, powers functions and responsibilities of various constitutional bodies etc (Election Commission of India, Need for a paradigm shift in election methods, challenges to ecofriendly methods, Indian and global examples)
Why in the News ?
- In August 2023 during Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) voiced its concern over the environmental risks associated with the use of non-biodegradable materials in elections
- ECI has been urging “parties and candidates to avoid the use of plastic/polythene for preparation of election material during an election campaign, since 1999’).
Source: TH
Key Facts 🗝️
Article 324: The Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in an Election Commission.
About:
Need for a paradigm shift:
- In the 2016 US presidential elections, the emissions by campaign flights by just one of the candidates alone were equivalent to the carbon footprint of 500 Americans for a year.
- Traditional methods of conducting elections, with their reliance on paper-based materials, energy-intensive rallies, loudspeakers, PVC flex banners etc
- They cause a significant environmental footprint and impact citizens’ health.
- The magnitude of India’s elections, with crores of voters, and mass political rallies, amplify this impact.
- Research conducted by Willemson and Krips from Estonia (2023)
- The primary source of carbon emissions during elections is from transportation of voters and logistics to and from the polling booths.
- The secondary source is from the running of the polling booths.
- Transitioning to digital voting systems could reduce the carbon footprint by up to 40%.
- Challenges to eco friendly methods:
- Implementing environmentally-friendly elections will entail technological, financial and behavioral challenges.
- Electronic and digital voting require robust infrastructure (especially in rural areas) and checks for hacking and fraud.
- Ensuring that all voters have fair access to new technologies and the training of officials.
- Financial challenges include substantial upfront costs for eco-friendly materials and technology
- It would deter governments that are financially constrained.
- Cultural inertia in valuing a voter’s physical presence at polling booths as sacrosanct is a behavioral challenge.
- Public skepticism towards new approaches and fear of compromises to vote security.
Indian and global Examples
- Indian States
- Kerala:
- During the 2019 general election, the Kerala State Election Commission urged political parties to avoid single-use plastic materials while campaigning.
- Kerala High Court imposed a ban on flex and non-biodegradable materials in electioneering.
- Wall graffiti and paper posters emerged as alternatives.
- Government bodies collaborated with the district administration in Thiruvananthapuram to ensure a green election.
- Training sessions were conducted in villages for election workers.
- Goa:
- In 2022, the Goa State Biodiversity Board had eco-friendly election booths for the Assembly elections, using biodegradable materials crafted by local traditional artisans.
- Sri Lanka
- In 2019, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party launched the world’s first carbon-sensitive environmentally friendly election campaign.
- It measured carbon emissions from vehicles and electricity used during political campaigns
- compensated for the emissions by planting trees in each district through public participation.
- This offset the immediate carbon footprint of the campaign and drew awareness about the importance of forest cover.
- Kerala:
- Estonia:
- It laid the foundations for digital voting as an online voting alternative.
- It encouraged voter participation.
- Digital voting accompanied by robust security measures is both eco- and electorate-friendly.
Way Forward
- There is a need for eco-friendly elections, which would be a boost to environmental stewardship alongside civic participation.
- Sri Lanka and Estonia have conducted environmentally-conscious elections.
- This green transition must involve all stakeholders such as political parties, Election Commissions, governments, voters, the media and civil society.
- The success of integrating top-level directives with grassroots initiatives to foster a green transition is imperative.
- Political parties must take the lead.
- The journey can begin by enacting legislation mandating eco-friendly electoral practices, with the ECI incorporating them in the Model Code of Conduct.
- Campaigning through digital platforms or door-to-door campaigning (reducing energy-intensive public rallies) and encouraging the use of public transportation for election work.
- Incentivising the replacement of plastic and paper-based materials with sustainable local alternatives for polling booths, such as natural fabrics, recycled paper and compostable plastics, will aid waste management and support local artisans.
- The ECI can push for digital voting even though this necessitates the training and capacity building of officials.
- To ensure equal participation of all voters in the digital electoral process
- The government must educate and support voters and ensure equitable access to digital technology.
- The media’s crucial role can in emphasizing the environmental impact of conventional election methods, turn the spotlight on innovative eco-friendly alternatives.
- Embracing eco-conscious electoral practices can help India set an example for other democracies around the world.
UPSC CSE EXAMS Corner
Mains: PYQ/FAQ
Q. Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.
