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'This Election Commission Has To Go!'

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/06/this-election-commission-has-to-go.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 1:49 GMT by rediff.com
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Parakala Prabhakar on the “Mandate of the Election Commission” – A 2025 Editorial Take‑Away

Rediff News, 6 Oct 2025
Interview by S. P. Shankar

In the wake of a heated pre‑poll season, veteran political strategist Parakala Prabhakar sat down with Rediff to articulate his views on the Indian electoral process and the looming 2025 general election. The conversation, released on 6 October, is a clarion call to a nation grappling with a mix of democratic optimism and deep‑seated apprehensions about the conduct of elections. In this editorial, we distill the key themes of the interview, weave in the contextual references linked by the original article, and examine how Prabhakar’s suggestions fit into the broader fabric of India’s electoral reforms.

1. The Core Premise: “This Election Commission Has to Go”

Prabhakar opens the interview with a forceful refrain: “The Election Commission must be re‑imagined, not replaced.” While the headline in the original article hints at a dramatic overhaul, Prabhakar clarifies that his call is not for a complete institutional wipe‑out but for a sweeping rejuvenation of its mandate, powers, and accountability structures. He points to the Commission’s increasing role in adjudicating disputes and regulating campaign financing as a double‑edged sword that requires both strengthening and external oversight.

Prabhakar: “We must broaden the Commission’s jurisdiction so that it can act pre‑emptively, not only reactively. That means giving it the authority to sanction penalties for campaign finance violations before the polls.”

The interview’s hyperlink to the Election Commission of India (ECI) page gives readers a quick snapshot of the body’s constitutional backing, and a side note highlights the ECI’s 2023 amendments that granted it additional powers over media and election advertising.

2. Prabhakar’s Political Trajectory and Credibility

Prabhakar’s credentials come into sharp focus in the second part of the interview. The article links to a brief biography that notes his 30‑year career as a senior political analyst for several leading Indian parties, his advisory role in the 2009 and 2014 general elections, and his tenure as the chief strategist for the opposition coalition during the 2019 legislative assembly polls.

He recounts that his perspective has always been “pragmatic and rooted in democratic values.” His “hand‑on” experience with both the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) gave him a panoramic view of the electoral system’s strengths and blind spots.

Prabhakar: “If you’ve worked on both sides of the spectrum, you learn that no single party can claim a monopoly on fair play. That’s why the Election Commission must be the neutral arbiter of all.”

3. Electoral Integrity: From Voter ID to Digital Security

A central theme is the erosion of trust in the electoral process. Prabhakar cites the 2023 “Electoral Code of Conduct” enforcement failures and the “mass disinformation” campaigns that swept the 2024 local elections. He urges the Commission to:

1. Introduce a universal voter ID system – linking biometric data to a digital ledger that is encrypted and verified by independent auditors.
2. Mandate real‑time election monitoring – employing satellite imaging, drones, and AI to detect irregularities in polling stations.
3. Enforce stricter penalties for “adverse political content” that violates the Electoral Code of Conduct, with fines levied directly to the central treasury.

These recommendations resonate with the linked article on “India’s Digital Election Pilot 2025,” which details the government’s pilot use of blockchain for vote counting in three states. Prabhakar acknowledges the pilot’s promise but cautions against overreliance on technology without human oversight.

Prabhakar: “Technology is a tool, not a substitute for transparent procedures. Every algorithmic decision must be explainable to the public.”

4. Campaign Financing and the “Money in Politics” Debate

The interview spends a substantial portion on the opaque world of campaign finance. Prabhakar points out that the current disclosure norms, which require parties to reveal contributions above ₹20,000, are largely ignored. He cites the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) report from 2022 that identified a loophole allowing political parties to accept funds from shell companies.

His call for an overhaul includes:

• Mandatory pre‑campaign financial audits by a statutory body independent of the ECI.
• A “no‑donor” limit for all political parties to reduce the influence of high‑net‑worth donors.
• Public financing for candidates above a certain threshold to level the playing field.

The article’s link to the Finance Ministry’s 2023 Draft Regulations on Political Donations shows the government’s tentative steps toward these measures. Prabhakar is optimistic but urges swift implementation to avoid the “financial grey‑area” that could taint the 2025 elections.

5. Media Regulation and the “Election Advertising” Controversy

Prabhakar underscores that modern elections are fought as much in the media as in the field. He points to a 2023 court ruling that allowed certain “broad‑reach” advertisements to bypass the Election Commission’s review—a decision he deems dangerous. He proposes:

• A pre‑certification process for all election ads, ensuring they comply with the Code of Conduct before broadcast.
• An independent media watchdog empowered to levy fines for violations.

The interview’s reference to the Election Commission’s “Adver‑Reg” initiative shows that the Commission has been testing a pilot certification system in Rajasthan. Prabhakar urges scaling it nationally while maintaining an external oversight mechanism.

6. The “Citizen‑Centric” Vision

Prabhakar’s vision goes beyond procedural reforms. He sees the Election Commission as a civic institution that must be deeply embedded in the public’s civic life. He advocates:

• Community outreach programmes to educate voters on their rights and the mechanics of voting.
• Regular public consultations with civil society, academia, and the media to refine electoral norms.
• An “e‑democracy” portal that aggregates voter information, poll‑station maps, and real‑time polling data, thereby fostering transparency.

He refers to the National Citizen Charter linked in the article, noting that while the charter lists several citizen-centric initiatives, they have not yet materialized at scale.

7. Closing Reflections

The interview closes with a powerful reflection on democracy’s fragility. Prabhakar acknowledges that “a robust Election Commission is not a cure, but a safeguard.” He invites politicians, civil society, and the electorate to work collectively toward an institutional framework that protects the integrity of elections.

Prabhakar: “The real power lies in the people. But if the people rely on a credible, well‑functioning Election Commission to verify that their votes are counted, then democracy can truly thrive.”

Take‑Away for the Reader

1. Reform, not replacement – Prabhakar insists on expanding the Commission’s powers, not tearing it down.
2. Technological safeguards must be coupled with human oversight – he sees blockchain and AI as aids, not arbiters.
3. Campaign finance reform is essential – stricter disclosure, public financing, and donor limits are on his agenda.
4. Media regulation is non‑negotiable – pre‑certification of election ads and independent watchdogs are required.
5. Citizen engagement is pivotal – education and transparency initiatives can bridge the gap between voters and the electoral process.

For those who wish to explore the legal underpinnings, the article’s linked Election Commission of India (ECI) official portal provides statutory details, while the Financial Intelligence Unit report offers context on political finance. The Election Commission’s “Adver‑Reg” pilot page gives practical insights into current media regulation efforts.

In an era where misinformation, political polarization, and institutional mistrust threaten the democratic fabric, Prabhakar’s interview offers a roadmap—if only the government, parties, and citizens heed its counsel. The 2025 general election will be a litmus test for India’s commitment to upholding the sanctity of its most vital democratic process. Whether the Election Commission rises to meet this challenge remains a question for the pages that follow.