Representation of People Act 1951, History, Significance, Challenges

Table of Contents

Representation of People Act 1951

The Representation of People Act 1951 is a set of rules and laws in India about how elections work. It tells us who can run for elections and who can vote. It also says how the areas where people vote (called constituencies) are decided and how elections should happen. This law has changed a few times to make sure elections are fair and open, and it’s really important for how democracy works in India.

History of Representation of People Act 1951

In India’s Constitution, in the part called Part XV, there are rules (Articles 324 to 329) about how elections work in the country. These rules give the power to the Parliament to make laws for everything related to elections for both the Parliament and State Legislature.

In 1950, the government introduced the inaugural RPA (Representation of the People Act) with the objective of overseeing the regulation of elections in the country. This comprehensive legislation encompasses the following key provisions:

Facilitating the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies through direct elections.
Defining the qualifications required for individuals to become eligible voters in elections.
Mandating the delimitation of constituencies for both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The boundaries and scope of these constituencies are determined by the Delimitation Commission.
Granting the Indian President the authority to modify constituencies after consulting with the Election Commission.
Ensuring the preparation of the electoral roll is a critical aspect of the electoral process. Individuals are permitted to enroll for just one constituency, and if they are determined to be of unsound mind or are not Indian citizens, they may face disqualification and be barred from voting.

Representation of People Act, 1951

The Act tells us how elections are done in India.
It also talks about things that are not allowed, like cheating and bad stuff in elections.
The Act says how problems with elections can be solved.
It tells us what you need to be able to run for office, and when you can’t be in politics anymore if you break the rules.

Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1966

This Amendment got rid of election tribunals.
Instead, it moved election complaints to the High Courts.
However, when it comes to problems with presidential and vice-presidential elections, the Supreme Court of India deals with them directly.

Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1988

This Amendment allowed for the postponement or cancellation of voting if booths were taken over by force.
It also dealt with issues related to electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2002: The 2002 change to the law added Section 33A, which gives people the right to know more about the candidates they can vote for:

Now, voters can find out about a candidate’s past.
Candidates running for office must tell everyone if they’ve been in trouble with the law before or if they are currently accused of a crime when they apply to run.
The change also says that candidates must say what they own and owe.

Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2010: This amending act brings important changes to election rules. Here are the key points:

It grants voting rights to Indians living abroad (NRIs).
However, NRIs can’t run for elections or vote remotely; they must be physically present in their constituencies during polling.

Representation of the People (Amendment and Validation) Bill, 2013

This bill, passed by both houses of Parliament, allows a person in police custody or jail to be a candidate in an election, as long as they are listed on the electoral roll, even if they can’t vote.

Representation of People (Amendment) Bill, 2017

This bill, approved by the Lok Sabha, aims to enable NRIs to vote through proxies (someone who votes on their behalf) and to remove gender-specific rules from certain Acts.

Importance of Representation of People Acts 1951

Accountable and Transparent: Only registered parties can receive funds through electoral bonds, ensuring transparency. There are rules in place to monitor how candidates use public resources to maintain accountability.
Free and Fair Elections: The law prevents corrupt practices like booth capturing, and making elections fair.
Spending Limits: There are spending limits for elections to prevent excessive spending. Candidates in large states can spend up to Rs. 28 lakh for Assembly elections and Rs. 70 lakh for Lok Sabha elections.
Decriminalization of Politics: The law keeps people with criminal backgrounds from entering politics and has rules for disqualifying MPs and MLAs.
State Representation in Parliament: Every state is represented in Parliament, promoting India’s federal system.
Delimitation Commission: The number of MPs and MLAs in each state is based on its population, ensuring equality.
Direct Democracy: People have the power to choose their representatives, promoting direct and participatory democracy.
Curbing Corruption: The Representation of Peoples Act of 1951 covers both government and non-government officials when it comes to corrupt practices.

Challenges of Representation of People Acts 1951

Shortage of Independent Staff at the Election Commission of India: Because the Election Commission of India doesn’t have enough of its own employees, it has to rely on outside staff to organize elections. This causes problems for the commission’s work and also affects the entire administrative system.
No Limits on Political Party Spending: While individual candidates must keep track of their election expenses within certain limits, political parties can spend as much as they want without any restrictions. This lack of rules can distort the election process.
Misuse of Public Funds and Official Resources: The rules (RPAs) don’t clearly address how official resources can be misused, which can give an unfair advantage to the ruling party and lead to public funds being used to help specific parties in elections.
Indira Gandhi’s Electoral Wrongdoings: In 1975, a judge named Jagmohan Lal Sinha found Indira Gandhi guilty of breaking election rules. As a result, she couldn’t hold an elected office for six years, and the election in her area was declared invalid.
Candidates Not Revealing Full Details: Even though the Supreme Court of India and the Representation of the People Act (RPA) require candidates to disclose all their assets and debts, many candidates don’t provide accurate information.
The Election Commission of India’s Financial Dependence: Despite having a constitutional status, the Election Commission of India is not completely independent because it relies on the central government for its financial needs.