Unopposed Victory

01 May Unopposed Victory

This article covers ‘Daily Current Affairs’ and the topic details of ”Unopposed Victory”. This topic is relevant in the “Polity and Governance” section of the UPSC CSE exam.

Why in the News? 

The BJP’s candidate for the Surat Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat has secured victory without contest as the Congress party’s candidate had their nomination paper rejected, and other contenders withdrew their nominations.

 

More about the issue

• In the current scenario, the Congress party’s candidate for the Surat constituency submitted three sets of nomination papers. These were supported by his brother-in-law, nephew, and business partner. An objection was raised by a BJP worker, asserting that the signatures of the supporters were not authentic. 
• The Returning Officer (RO) received affidavits from the supporters stating they hadn’t signed the papers. The candidate was given a day to respond to these objections. As the supporters couldn’t appear before the RO within the designated scrutiny period, all three sets of nomination papers were dismissed.
• According to election regulations, a political party can nominate a substitute candidate if the original candidate’s nomination is rejected. The Congress party nominated Suresh Padsala as their substitute candidate. However, the substitute candidate’s nomination was also rejected due to the same issue of the supporter’s signatures being questioned.
• Subsequently, with other nominations either being rejected or withdrawn, the path was cleared for BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal to be declared the winner.

 

Criteria for the valid nomination

• The criteria for a valid nomination are outlined in Section 33 of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951. 

1. The proposer(s) of the candidate must be an elector(s) from the respective constituency where the nomination is filed. 
2. Any individual above 25 years old is eligible to contest Lok Sabha elections from any constituency in India.
3. A recognised party (either national or state) requires only one proposer, while candidates fielded by unrecognised parties and independents need the support of ten proposers. 
4. Each candidate is allowed to submit up to four nomination papers with different sets of proposers, facilitating acceptance even if one set is deemed valid.

• Section 36 of the RP Act addresses the scrutiny of nomination papers by the Returning Officer (RO). It stipulates that nominations should not be rejected for minor defects, but the authenticity of the candidate’s or proposer’s signature is crucial grounds for rejection.
• Regarding uncontested elections, Section 53(3) of the RPA, 1951 outlines the procedure. If the number of candidates is fewer than the available seats, the RO must promptly declare all such candidates elected. These actions are guided by Section 33 of the Act, which details the presentation of nomination papers and the criteria for valid nominations.

Earlier instances of getting elected unopposed to Lok Sabha

• There have been at least 35 occurrences of candidates securing victory in Lok Sabha elections without facing any opposition since 1951. Notable personalities such as Y.B. Chavan, Farooq Abdullah, Hare Krishna Mahtab, T.T. Krishnamachari, P.M. Sayeed, and S.C. Jamir have ascended to the Lok Sabha without contesting against any opponents.
• The Congress party has had the highest number of candidates elected unopposed, and particular constituencies like Sikkim and Srinagar have witnessed multiple instances of uncontested elections.
• While the majority of candidates have won unopposed in regular elections, there have been instances, like Dimple Yadav’s victory in the Kannauj Lok Sabha by-poll in 2012, where candidates have emerged triumphant without facing any competition even in by-polls. 
• The trend of candidates being elected unopposed reflects various factors, such as rejection of nominations, withdrawals by other candidates, and strategic decisions by political parties aiming for favourable outcomes in specific constituencies.

 

Concerns and implications due to unopposed elections

• Lack of Voter Engagement: Uncontested elections have the potential to diminish voter participation and engagement since individuals may perceive their vote as inconsequential when there is only one candidate. Consequently, this phenomenon can undermine the democratic process.
• Inadequate Representation: With only one candidate available, voters might feel that their needs and interests are not sufficiently represented due to the absence of choice or competition. This can lead to a decline in trust towards the governing body or organisation.
• Stagnant Leadership: Uncontested elections tend to perpetuate the existing status quo and discourage new candidates from entering the fray, resulting in a dearth of fresh perspectives and vigour within the governing board or elected positions. Encouraging healthy turnover is imperative in such scenarios.
• Undermining Democratic Principles: By depriving voters of a meaningful choice, uncontested elections subvert the fundamental principles of democracy. Such occurrences can be viewed as a departure from democratic ideals.
• Voter Apathy and Disengagement: The perception of predetermined outcomes in uncontested elections may lead to decreased voter engagement and a reluctance to participate in future electoral processes. This cycle of voter apathy can exacerbate the problem.
• Concerns about Manipulation: Instances of uncontested elections, such as the situation in Surat, may raise suspicions of potential manipulation by political parties aiming to secure favourable outcomes through the electoral process.

 

Way forward

• Strengthening Nomination Procedures: Implement measures to enhance the scrutiny of nomination papers to ensure the authenticity of signatures and compliance with electoral regulations. This could involve introducing stricter verification processes and penalties for submitting fraudulent nominations.
• Promoting Electoral Competition: Encourage political parties to actively field candidates in all constituencies, thereby fostering competition and providing voters with meaningful choices. Incentivize parties to nominate candidates through awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of contested elections in ensuring democratic representation.

• Proposing Changes to the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) System: The FPTP system, also recognised as the simple majority system, determines the winner of an election in a constituency based on the candidate with the highest number of votes. Although FPTP is straightforward, it may not always ensure a fully representative outcome, as a candidate could emerge victorious even if they secure less than half of the total votes.

• Increasing Voter Awareness and Engagement: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate voters about the significance of their participation in the electoral process, even in uncontested elections. Emphasise the role of civic duty and the impact of voter apathy on democratic principles.
• Encouraging New Candidates: Create platforms and resources to support new candidates, particularly from underrepresented communities, in participating in elections. Offer training programs, mentorship opportunities, and financial assistance to facilitate their entry into politics and promote diverse leadership.
• Enhancing Oversight and Accountability: Strengthen electoral oversight mechanisms to detect and prevent manipulation or irregularities in uncontested elections. This could involve empowering independent election commissions and establishing transparent reporting mechanisms for candidate nominations and withdrawals.

Download plutus ias current affairs eng med 1st May 2024

 

Prelims practise question 

 

Q1. Consider the following statements: 

1. The Election Commission of India consists of five members.
2. The scheduling of general elections and bye-elections is determined by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
3. The Election Commission is responsible for resolving disputes related to the splits or mergers of recognised political parties.

How many of the statements above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

 

Answer: A

 

Mains practise question

Q1. How does the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system determine the outcome of elections, and what are its potential shortcomings?

Q2. Evaluate the effectiveness of existing nomination procedures in preventing fraudulent nominations and ensuring fair competition in elections.