Perceptions on political corruption and election crimes: reforms - a review

Elections in India are known as a one-of-a-kind festival of democracy, replete with colorful pageantry, flamboyant personalities, and very large numbers. The size of the country's electorate when India heads to the polls for parliamentary elections later this spring is expected to reach nearly 800 million. According to census data, an estimated 150 million people are eligible to vote for the first time a figure larger than the total number of voters that took part in the 2012 U.S. presidential elections. Elections certainly bring out the best in India's raucous democracy, but they also expose some of its blemishes. Consider this extraordinary figure: 30 percent of members of parliament have criminal cases pending against them. And that is an increase from the previous election in 2004, when only less than 25 percent were similarly situated. In the fight to curb these figures, there have been some positive developments and valiant efforts to raise awareness. The Supreme Court of India recently decided that sitting politicians who are convicted of criminal acts should be removed from office upon conviction a new practice in India. And for the first time, an anti-corruption party vaulted to victory in Delhi's state assembly. These are certainly bright spots, but, if recent state elections are any indication, efforts thus far have barely scratched the surface. Real change will take significantly more sweeping measures to get to heart of the crime-politics nexus. In India's electoral market place, as in any market, there are underlying supply and demand factors that facilitate exchange. And in this case, politicians with criminal records are supplying what voters and parties demand candidates who are effective and well-funded. This paper focuses on the political corruption - election crimes, fate of the parliament resulting political instability as well. Based on the existing works of various individuals, institutions and media in this area, this review present paper is developed.