Politics has become money-minded, and service to the public has taken a back seat. Money plays a significant role in determining the shape and result of elections. According to a prominent NGO, the Association for Democratic Reforms, eight recognised national parties in India declared a total income of Rs 3289.34 crore collected from all over India in the financial year 2021-22, with the BJP accounting for more than half of it.
Causes
In western democracies where the voters are well educated and have ample means of livelihood, the role of money is insignificant. But, in countries like India, where the majority of people live below the poverty line and are illiterate, money plays a vital role. Political parties nominate those candidates who have or can raise money for the party. In some cases, political parties support criminals who can win elections. The bulk of money that comes into the party coffers is ill-gotten and black money.
Impacts and Concerns
The evil influence of money power has brought public ridicule and has eroded public faith in the system. Rich people and companies who give funds to political parties influence the policies and decisions of the party. Purchasing votes through money power is not good for democracy. Election expenses are mounting by the day, and the common man finds it impossible to contest the election.
Various Steps to Tackle
The Election Commission (EC) is “seriously concerned” about the increasing use of money power in elections and has enforced the ‘Election Expenditure Monitoring’ mechanism since the Bihar Assembly polls in 2010. The Election Commission has introduced a robust mechanism for election expenditure monitoring during elections.
Various measures taken to keep tabs on poll spending include the deployment of expenditure observers, assistant expenditure observers, video surveillance teams, video viewing teams, accounting teams, complaint monitoring and call centers, media certification, and monitoring committee, flying squads, and static surveillance teams.
Suggestions
Money power should not influence voters, and the Election Commission of India (ECI) is working with district magistrates, local level hill council members, religious bodies, tribal leaders, and civil society groups to ensure clean elections. People also should understand that those who purchase votes will not serve them.
The need of the hour is a stringent implementation of restrictive provisions prescribed in law, including disqualification of the contestants, to curb the menace of money power in electoral politics. There is also a need for a comprehensive plan to curb excessive poll spending by political parties and candidates and action against erring candidates and parties.
MCQs on Money Power in Indian Politics
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What is the major concern related to money power in Indian politics?
A. It erodes public faith in the system.
B. It leads to criminalization of politics.
C. It prevents the common man from contesting elections.
D. It helps in enacting policies that benefit the public.
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What is the role of Election Commission of India (ECI) in curbing the use of money power in elections?
A. ECI supports the use of black money in politics.
B. ECI imposes no restrictions on election expenditure.
C. ECI has introduced a mechanism for election expenditure monitoring.
D. ECI has no authority to regulate election expenditure.
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What is the need of the hour to curb the menace of money power in electoral politics?
A. Strict implementation of restrictive provisions prescribed in law, including disqualification of contestants.
B. Allowing political parties to spend unlimited amounts of money in elections.
C. Promoting the use of black money in politics.
D. Encouraging the common man to contest elections.
