Date : 19/07/2023

Relevance: GS Paper 2 : Polity - Election

Keywords: First Past the Post (FPTP), Democracy, Proportional Representation (PR) systems

Context-

• India is a diverse and multi-party democracy with a vast number of parties participating in general elections and a significant number of parties holding seats in Parliament.
• The current electoral system in India, known as the First Past the Post (FPTP) method, has some drawbacks due to India's unique political diversity. The FPTP system tends to reward the splitting of votes among numerous parties and encourages opportunistic alliances among parties.

Electoral Alliances: A Response to First-Past-the-Post System

• Under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system in India, political parties often form alliances to prevent the splitting of votes.
• With more than 600 parties participating in general elections, the FPTP system has resulted in a fragmented political landscape.
• Parties strategically join forces to consolidate voter support and maximize their chances of winning seats. These alliances, while driven by the necessity to secure electoral success, may not always reflect ideological compatibility or shared values between participating parties.

The Need for a Better Electoral Method in India

• Given the complexities of India's political diversity and the limitations of the FPTP system, there is a need for a more effective electoral method.
• The proliferation of electoral alliances suggests that the current system does not adequately represent the diverse range of political views in the country.
• To address this, alternative voting methods can be explored to enhance voter choice and encourage a more inclusive and representative democratic process.

Introducing Approval Voting: Many Of The Above (MOTA)

• Approval voting, also known as Many Of The Above (MOTA), offers an alternative approach to voting.
• Unlike the FPTP system that limits voters to select only one candidate, approval voting allows voters to choose as many candidates as they approve of.
• In this system, a voter can support multiple parties, signaling their preference for a wider range of candidates. By expanding the options available to voters, approval voting reduces the need for complex and unstable electoral alliances.

Advantages of Approval Voting in a Multi-Party Democracy

• Approval voting has proven to be effective in multi-party democracies. Allowing voters to express support for multiple candidates, reduces voter fragmentation and encourages a more accurate reflection of public sentiment.
• Approval voting allows voters to choose multiple candidates or parties without fear of wasting their vote or helping their least preferred option. It can also discourage post-election defections and political vote trading by minimizing the need for pre-poll alliances and seat-sharing arrangements.
• To implement approval voting in India, a new option called MOTA (Many Of The Above) could be added to the ballot, mirroring the existing NOTA (None of the Above) option. MOTA would enable voters to choose multiple candidates or parties, preserving the existing electoral system while promoting a more inclusive voting process.
• Approval voting offers several benefits for India, such as potentially increasing voter turnout and participation by providing more choices and freedom for expressing preferences. It could also reduce polarization by encouraging consideration of moderate and inclusive options. Additionally, it could enhance representation and accountability by forcing candidates and parties to appeal to a broader electorate.
• Research and experiences from other countries utilizing approval voting have shown that it produces outcomes that are acceptable to a greater majority of voters.
• This method promotes a more inclusive and representative political landscape, as it empowers voters to indicate their preferences without being constrained by the limitations of the FPTP system.

Challenges of Approval Voting

• However, implementing approval voting may face challenges. The concept is relatively new in Indian politics, requiring awareness campaigns and education to familiarize voters with the methodology.
• Established parties may resist the change, fearing it could disrupt their dominance or electoral dynamics.
• Fragmented results and legal considerations may also need to be addressed.

Transforming Indian Politics: From Opportunistic Alliances to Ideological Politics

• The implementation of approval voting in India can fundamentally transform the dynamics of political alliances. It reduces the reliance on opportunistic alliances formed solely to prevent the splitting of votes and encourages a shift toward ideological politics.
• Instead of parties entering into forced partnerships, voters can express their preferences for multiple candidates or parties, aligning with their beliefs and values.
• Approval voting provides a more nuanced and accurate representation of voter choices, fostering a political landscape that values ideological alignment over strategic alliances.

Way Forward

Steps can be taken to introduce and effectively implement approval voting in India. Promoting awareness and education, conducting pilot programs and case studies, engaging with political parties, seeking international collaboration and expert consultation, and fostering public discourse and debates can contribute to the successful adoption of approval voting.

Conclusion:

The introduction of approval voting in India has the potential to address the challenges posed by the FPTP system and the prevalence of electoral alliances. By expanding voter choice and reducing voter fragmentation, approval voting can lead to a more representative and inclusive democratic process. This shift can encourage parties to focus on ideology and values rather than opportunistic alliances, ultimately transforming Indian politics into a system that better reflects the diverse perspectives and aspirations of its citizens.

Source: The Indian Express