3 April 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

Indian Express Editorial Analysis

3-April-2024

1. The umpire cannot be silent

Topic: GS2 – Polity – Constitutional Bodies This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains as this article delves into the role of the Election Commission in ensuring free and fair elections.

 

Context:

The article discusses concerns raised by former Chief Election Commissioners about recent actions by tax agencies against opposition parties, which they fear could disrupt the fairness of elections. They emphasize the need for the Election Commission to intervene and ensure a level playing field by deferring such actions until after elections. The article also highlights historical instances of EC interventions and the importance of upholding the Model Code of Conduct to regulate political conduct during elections.

Impact on Free and Fair Elections:

• Former CECs, speaking both anonymously and on record, emphasized that actions by tax agencies, such as freezing accounts and issuing notices, could interfere with the conduct of free and fair elections.
• They suggested that the Election Commission (EC) should engage with these agencies to defer such actions until after elections to ensure a level playing field for all political parties.

Upholding Electoral Integrity:

• Former CECs stressed the importance of the EC’s role in safeguarding electoral integrity.
• They argued that disrupting the financial resources of opposition parties could hinder their ability to contest elections effectively.
• They called for the EC to play a persuasive role in consulting with central agencies to postpone actions like raids and freezing of accounts until after elections to maintain fairness.

Historical Precedents and EC Interventions:

• The article mentions historical instances where the EC intervened to ensure fairness during elections.
• In 2019, the EC issued advisories to enforcement agencies to act impartially, and similar directives were issued in 2009.
• These interventions illustrate the EC’s commitment to maintaining a neutral and impartial electoral environment.

Role of Model Code of Conduct (MCC):

• The MCC plays a crucial role in regulating the conduct of political parties and governments during elections.
• The former CECs highlighted instances where the EC intervened to prevent violations of the MCC, such as prohibiting the announcement of financial grants or inductions into the Council of Ministers that could influence voter behavior.

Strengthening Electoral Processes:

• The response of political leaders, such as former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s willingness to defer the induction of a minister based on the EC’s advice, reflects a commitment to upholding democratic principles.
• Such instances strengthen the delicate balance between constitutional rights and the ethical imperatives outlined by the MCC, ultimately enhancing the credibility of Indian elections on the global stage.

What are the reforms recommended by the Election Commission of India?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made several recommendations for electoral reforms over the years to improve the electoral process and ensure free and fair elections. Some of the major recommendations are: The Commission is of the view that the law should be amended to provide that a person cannot contest from more than one constituency at a time. Election commission endorsed the call for a lifetime ban in the apex court. It had argued that such a move would “champion the cause of decriminalization of politics”. The Commission proposes that where any general election is due on the expiration of the term of the House, advertisements of achievements of the governments, either Central or State, in any manner, should be prohibited for a period of six months prior to the date of expiry of the term of the House. The Election Commission proposes an amendment to provide the same protection and safeguard in the matter of removability of Election Commissioners from office as is available to the Chief Election Commissioner. The decisions relating to anti-defection matters should be rendered by the President or the Governor with the recommendation of the Election Commission. There should be the use of common electoral rolls at elections conducted by the Election Commission and the State Election Commissions. Election Commission proposes that making false declarations concerning elections be an offense. Rule-making authority under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and Representation of the People Act, 1951, should be conferred on the Election Commission instead of the Central Government.

 

PYQ: Consider the following statements: (2017) 1.     The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2.     The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3.     Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 3 only

Practice Question:  What are the concerns raised by former Chief Election Commissioners regarding recent actions by tax agencies against opposition parties in India? How can the Election Commission ensure fairness in elections amidst such concerns? (250 words/15 m)

 

2. How Delhi maps the world

Topic: GS2 – International Relations – This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains as this analysis offers insights into India’s evolving foreign policy strategies, highlighting its focus on island territories, engagement with key regions like the Indo-Pacific and Eurasia, and deepening relations with Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

 

Context:

The article discusses Delhi’s strategic focus on island territories, particularly Katchatheevu, as part of the ruling BJP’s efforts to gain traction in Tamil Nadu’s electoral landscape. Despite potential negative consequences for Delhi’s relations with Colombo, this island-centric strategy underscores a broader shift in India’s geopolitical outlook.

Emergence of Island States in India’s Geopolitics:

• The analysis highlights how island states and territories across the South Pacific to the African coast have become pivotal nodes in India’s evolving strategic geography.
• Examples include engagement with the Maldives, Papua New Guinea, infrastructure development in Mauritius, collaboration with Australia, and focus on the Andamans and Lakshadweep.

Indo-Pacific and Eurasian Strategic Concepts:

• It delves into the Indo-Pacific concept, initially proposed by Japan’s Shinzo Abe, which gained traction in Indian discourse despite initial skepticism.
• The Indo-Pacific, now institutionalized through the Quad, reflects India’s strategic partnerships amid deteriorating relations with China.
• Additionally, the article discusses India’s growing engagement with the Eurasian concept, influenced by Russia’s perspective and reflected in India’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

European Engagement and Economic Integration:

• The analysis highlights the changing dynamics in regions like South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Asia-Pacific, influenced by factors like SAARC’s failure and deeper economic integration between Pakistan and China.
• It underscores the fluidity of regional constructs and the emergence of new geopolitical realities.

Potential Future Geopolitical Hotspots:

• The article forecasts potential future geopolitical hotspots, particularly focusing on “Zomia” and “Khorasan.”
• It discusses ethnic unrest, religious extremism, and military tensions in these regions, suggesting India’s inevitable involvement in the geopolitics of these areas.

Conclusion:

• The article emphasizes India’s expanding role in shaping global geopolitical realities, driven by strategic engagements across island territories, Eurasia, Europe, and potential future hotspots like Zomia and Khorasan.
• This underscores India’s evolving foreign policy priorities and its increasing presence in global geopolitics.

About India’s role in the world order

India belongs both to the non-aligned movement, which reflects its experience of colonialism, and the community of democracies, which reflects its 75 years of experience as a democracy India is a leading light of the global “trade union” of developing countries, the G-77 (Group of 77), which has some 120 countries, and also of the global macro-economic “management”, the G-20 (Group of 20 developed and developing countries whose presidency India has just assumed).  India plays an influential role both in the United Nations, a universal organisation that has 193 member states, and in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). India has the great ability to be in all these great institutional networks, pursuing different objectives with different partners, and in each finding a valid purpose that suits us. India has moved beyond non-alignment to what is called multi-alignment. Achievements of India  India has made extraordinary strides in recent years; it is already the world’s third-largest economy in PPP (purchasing power parity) terms and continues to climb. Countries across the world want to be associated with India because there is a belief that India is in touch with key players and that India can influence them.

 

PYQ: “The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised Nations has disappeared on account of its new found role in the emerging global order”. Elaborate. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2019)

Practice Question:  What are the key elements of India’s evolving strategic focus on island territories and Eurasian geopolitics, and how do these initiatives impact its foreign policy objectives and regional dynamics? (150 words/10 m)

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