The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 16th December 2024 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Let’s Talk About ‘One Candidate, Multiple Constituencies’

Why in News?

The practice of one candidate contesting from multiple constituencies (OCMC) in elections is legally allowed but has several drawbacks:

• It imposes financial burdens on the electoral system.
• It leads to frequent by-elections.
• It causes voter dissatisfaction.

These issues undermine democratic principles and promote a focus on leader-centric politics. Discussions around banning OCMC often center on the need for electoral reforms that enhance accountability and transparency in India’s parliamentary democracy.

Background of One Candidate, Multiple Constituencies (OCMC)

OCMC raises important questions about the integrity of the electoral process and its impact on representation and governance.

The Constitution of India and Elections

• The Constitution mandates regular elections every five years for Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for overseeing the conduct of elections.
• Before 1996, candidates could contest from unlimited constituencies, leading to numerous by-elections.
• In 1996, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, was amended to restrict candidates to a maximum of two constituencies.
• Despite this amendment, the issue of frequent by-elections continues.

Challenges Posed by Ongoing Multiple Constituency Membership (OCMC)

1. Financial Burden

• Frequent by-elections increase costs for taxpayers. For example:
  • The 2014 general elections cost ₹3,870 crore.
  • This amount rose to ₹6,931 crore in 2024 when adjusted for inflation.
• By-elections caused by candidates vacating seats can cost around ₹130 crore for every 10 candidates.
• Political parties' massive expenditures, estimated at ₹1,35,000 crore for the 2024 elections, often rely on unaccounted money, compromising financial transparency.

2. Electoral Imbalance

• By-elections tend to favor ruling parties due to their greater resources and patronage.
• This creates an uneven playing field, weakening opposition parties and disrupting the democratic balance.

3. Disproportionate Financial Pressure

• By-elections place extra financial strain on candidates and their parties who have already lost elections, forcing them to reinvest resources.

4. Undermining Democratic Principles

The frequent need for by-elections and the associated financial and electoral imbalances can undermine the core principles of democracy.

Contesting Multiple Constituencies

• Prioritizes a leader’s interests over public welfare.
• Serves as a safety net for candidates instead of addressing voters' needs.
• Reflects dominance of leader-centric or family-based political parties.

Voter Confusion and Discontent

• Vacating constituencies after elections causes voter dissatisfaction.
• Example: In Wayanad, Kerala, voter turnout dropped from 72.92% in the general election to 64.24% in the bypoll.
• This practice may violate Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution by ignoring voters' choices.

Advantages of OCMC

• Provides a safety net for candidates in competitive constituencies.
• Ensures continuity for leader-centric political parties if their leader loses an election, as seen with Mamata Banerjee in 2021 and Pushkar Singh Dhami in 2022.

International Practices

• Pakistan: Allows candidates to contest unlimited constituencies, but they must vacate all but one. In 2018, a former Prime Minister contested five seats.
• Bangladesh: Previously allowed contesting up to five constituencies; now limits it to three since 2008.
• United Kingdom: Banned OCMC since 1983 to ensure accountability.
• European Democracies: Most have phased out OCMC to promote clear representation and reduce electoral complexities.

Recommendations for Reform

Consider reforms to address the issues of voter dissatisfaction and to enhance accountability in the electoral process.

1. Ban OCMC

• Amend Section 33(7) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to prohibit candidates from contesting multiple constituencies.
• This change has been recommended by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 2004 and the Law Commission in 2015.

2. Impose Cost Recovery

• Candidates who vacate a seat could be required to cover the full cost of by-elections, as suggested by the ECI in 2004.

3. Delay By-Elections

• Amend Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to allow by-elections only after one year of vacancy.
• This change would enable informed voter decisions and fair electoral preparation.

Conclusion

• OCMC (One Candidate Multiple Constituencies) leads to inefficiency and voter dissatisfaction.
• This practice contradicts the democratic principles of accountability.
• While significant reforms need political agreement, enforcing "one candidate, one constituency" supports the democratic ideal of "one person, one vote" and enhances electoral integrity.

Practice Question:

Discuss the implications of one candidate contesting from multiple constituencies on India’s democracy and electoral process. Suggest reforms to address the challenges associated with this practice. (250 Words / 15 marks)

India’s Firmer Attempts at Mineral Diplomacy

Why in News?

India relies heavily on imports, particularly from China, for essential minerals needed for manufacturing and technological development. This dependency raises strategic concerns for the country. To tackle this issue, India is actively pursuing mineral diplomacy through:

• Forming joint ventures
• Engaging with multilateral initiatives

To enhance mineral security, it is crucial for India to:

• Strengthen partnerships
• Increase private sector involvement

India’s Critical Minerals Challenge

Addressing the dependency on imported minerals is vital for India's economic growth and security in the manufacturing sector.

Importance of Critical Minerals

• India’s manufacturing and technological ambitions depend heavily on critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and titanium.
• India is a major importer of these minerals, mainly from China, which raises strategic concerns.
• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the “weaponisation” of resources by nations like China, urging India to tackle its mineral security challenges.

Steps Towards Mineral Diplomacy

• India is adopting a two-pillar strategy:
  • Developing bilateral ties with resource-rich countries.
  • Establishing partnerships with intergovernmental organizations to secure mineral supply chains.

Establishing Joint Ventures

India aims to establish joint ventures to enhance its access to critical minerals and strengthen its position in the global supply chain.

Role of Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL)

KABIL, established in 2019, plays a vital role in ensuring a steady supply of critical and strategic minerals.

• KABIL secures agreements through various channels:
  • Government-to-government
  • Government-to-business
  • Business-to-business

Key Partnerships and Investments

• Australia: In March 2022, KABIL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a critical mineral investment partnership, identifying two lithium and three cobalt projects.
• Argentina: In January 2024, India signed a $24 million agreement for lithium exploration across five brine blocks.
• Bolivia and Chile: KABIL is facilitating the purchase of assets for lithium supply.
• Kazakhstan: India and Kazakhstan formed a joint venture, IREUK Titanium Limited, to produce titanium slag in India.

Private Sector Involvement

Altmin Private Limited has signed an agreement with Bolivia’s national company YLB to secure lithium-ion battery supply chains.

Cooperative Engagements

Multilateral and Minilateral Cooperation

India is actively participating in global initiatives to enhance mineral security. Key initiatives include:

• Quad
• Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
• Mineral Security Partnership (MSP)
• G-7

These collaborations aim to:

• Share best practices
• Facilitate knowledge sharing
• Build capacity

Key International Partnerships

India’s Ministry of Mines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Energy Agency. This agreement aims to:

• Streamline policies
• Align investment strategies with global standards

Missing Pieces in India’s Mineral Diplomacy

Challenges Identified

• Lack of private sector participation due to the absence of a clear supply chain strategy.
• Weak diplomatic capacity to handle mineral-specific negotiations.
• Insufficient focus on building sustainable, long-term partnerships.

Proposed Solutions

• Formulate a supply chain strategy aligned with India’s growth prospects and security priorities.
• Establish a dedicated mineral diplomacy division within the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Forge strategic partnerships with key nations, particularly the EU, South Korea, and Quad members.

Addressing these challenges will strengthen India’s mineral diplomacy and align it with its domestic critical mineral initiatives. This approach is vital to reducing India’s strategic vulnerabilities and ensuring sustainable mineral security.

Practice Question

Discuss the significance of critical minerals in India’s economic and strategic ambitions. Analyze the challenges in securing mineral supplies and suggest measures to strengthen India’s mineral security through international partnerships and domestic initiatives. (250 Words / 15 marks)