Internal Democracy in Political Parties

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• India’s multi-party democracy frequently centers around individual charisma, raising the question of whether the Election Commission can ensure internal democracy within political parties.

Background

• Internal democracy in political parties refers to the practice of democratic principles and procedures within the organizational structure and functioning of political parties. 
• It involves the inclusion of all party members in decision-making processes, leadership selection, policy formulation, and ensuring accountability of party leadership to its members.

Reasons for lack of internal democracy

• Weak Organizational Structures: Many parties lack transparent processes for selecting leaders, allowing centralization of control.
• Dynastic politics: Leadership is controlled by a few individuals or families, limiting opportunities for new talent.
• Limited Participation of Members: Intra-party elections are merely symbolic. leading to disillusionment and disengagement among the grassroots members.

Need for the internal democracy

• Nurturing a culture of democracy: Parties with strong internal democratic mechanisms are more likely to uphold democratic values when in power, ensuring transparency, accountability, and responsiveness.
• Leadership Development: Democratically structured parties encourage competition and meritocracy, allowing younger and more capable leaders to rise through the ranks. 
• Empowering Grassroots Members: Internal democracy ensures that the voices of party workers and ordinary members are heard in decision-making processes. 

Election commission’s guidelines

• Representation of the People Act: ECI has periodically used guidelines issued for registration of parties under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to remind parties to conduct elections and to ensure that their leadership is renewed, changed or re-elected every five years. 
• No Permanent President for a Party: ECI has opposed the concept of a ‘permanent president’ within political parties, as it undermines the principle of leadership change and fair representation within parties.
• Party constitution: The EC’s guidelines for parties applying for registration under the Act state that the applicant should submit a copy of the party constitution.

Concerns

• De-Registration Only in Cases of Fraud: The Supreme court in 2002 ruled that While the Election Commission has the authority to register political parties, it can only deregister a party under limited circumstances.
• Power of de-registration of political parties: ECI has asked the Law Ministry for the power to deregister political parties in the past, but the proposal has not been implemented so far.

Way Ahead

• Ensuring internal democracy within political parties is critical to enhancing the overall democratic fabric of the country. 
• While the Election Commission has taken steps in this direction, its powers are limited. There is a need for comprehensive reform, perhaps through legislation, to empower the Election Commission to enforce internal democracy more effectively.

Source: TH