Need for constitutional and electoral reforms in Indian democracy

There are no ‘U’ turns in history. An opportunity missed or messed will relegate the nation, when every Indian can lift his head with a sense of pride and declare that he is a citizen of a country which practices democracy; an onerous responsibility lays on the shoulders every right thinking Indian to preserve and strengthen democracy. Though a number of countries became independent along with India in this part of the world, it is only in India that democracy has grown from strength to strength. In all other countries forms of government have been changed and the constitutions have been drastically altered. The experience of the last sixty five years has clearly indicated the grey areas in the working of the democracy and the democratic institutions. In the present research paper, an attempt is made to focus attention on reforms in Indian polity. The areas identified are electoral reforms and constitutional reforms. It is in the context of enabling people to effectively participate in the working of democracy that electoral reforms require the urgent attention. Electoral reforms including the desirability of making the duty to vote mandatory will be examined. Similarly, attention will be focused on reforms like a relook at the parliamentary privileges, the need for continuing 1X schedule and accountability of judiciary among other things.The electoral reforms and will usher in an era of glory for India in the Information Age.