Syllabus
GS Paper 2 – Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
Context
The ongoing discourse on simultaneous elections, or ONOE, is the right opportunity for change
Source
The Hindu| Editorial dated 13th December 2024
The missing spotlight on urban local government polls
Urban Local Governments (ULGs) play a pivotal role in India’s decentralized governance, catering to nearly 40% of the population and contributing over 60% to the GDP. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) of 1992 aimed to codify the role of ULGs, ensuring regular elections and empowered governance. However, three decades later, systemic issues, delays, and operational challenges persist, hindering the realization of this vision.
Importance of ULGs and Their Elections
- Population and Economic Relevance
- India has over 4,800 ULGs, covering 40% of the population, expected to exceed 50% by 2050.
- Urban areas contribute 60% of India’s GDP, underscoring their significance in economic growth.
- Role in Decentralization
- ULGs are crucial for decentralized governance, bringing governance closer to citizens.
- Regular elections ensure accountability, representation, and effective service delivery.
- Constitutional Mandate
- The 74th CAA mandates elections every five years, establishing local democracy as a cornerstone of governance.
- Timely elections enable ULGs to function independently, free from excessive State government interference.
Challenges in Conducting ULG Elections
- Frequent Delays
- Elections delayed in over 60% of ULGs, according to the CAG report (2024).
- Delays often extend to several years, leaving ULGs under State government control.
- Post-Election Delays
- Even after election results, delays in operationalizing elected councils are common.
- Example: In Karnataka, an average delay of 11 months was observed in forming councils post-election.
- Impact of Delays
- Violation of the principle of decentralization.
- Citizens lose avenues for representation and grievance redressal.
- Elected representatives are rendered powerless, undermining local development mandates.
Disempowerment of State Election Commissions (SECs)
- Constitutional Role of SECs
- SECs are mandated to supervise and conduct ULG elections independently.
- Limited Empowerment
- Only 4 out of 15 States assessed by the CAG report empower SECs for ward delimitation.
- Ward delimitation and reservation exercises often delayed due to State government interference or legal challenges.
- Political Ramifications
- Delimitation and reservation decisions have high political stakes, necessitating independent oversight.
- Lack of empowerment hampers SECs’ ability to conduct timely and fair elections.
Synchronizing ULG Elections with ONOE
- National-Level Discussions
- The High-Level Committee (HLC) proposed synchronizing ULG elections with Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.
- Suggested a timeline of conducting ULG elections within 100 days of ONOE.
- Challenges in Synchronization
- Practical constraints due to the sheer number of ULGs (over 4,800).
- Differing political and administrative timelines across States.
- Potential Benefits
- Streamlining elections reduces administrative costs and electoral fatigue.
- Regular and synchronized elections enhance accountability and citizen trust.
Reforms Needed for Effective ULG Elections
- Empowering SECs
- Grant SECs authority over ward delimitation and reservation exercises.
- Establish SECs as truly independent bodies to minimize political influence.
- Timely Elections and Council Formation
- Mandate strict adherence to the five-year election cycle.
- Reduce delays in operationalizing councils post-election results.
- Transparency and Accountability
- Implement public dashboards to track election schedules, results, and pending actions.
- Ensure regular audits of election processes and outcomes.
- Capacity Building and Resources
- Provide adequate funding and resources to SECs for conducting elections efficiently.
- Leverage technology for voter registration, polling management, and grievance redressal.
Policy Recommendations for Strengthening ULGs
- Legislative Reforms
- Enact national guidelines for uniform election procedures across ULGs.
- Amend laws to streamline ward delimitation and reservation processes.
- Awareness and Engagement
- Increase citizen awareness about the importance of ULG elections.
- Promote community participation in local governance.
- Integration with ONOE
- Develop a phased approach to integrate ULG elections with ONOE.
- Pilot synchronization in select States to address practical challenges.
Conclusion
ULGs are vital for India’s urban governance, economic growth, and citizen empowerment. Despite the constitutional mandate of timely elections, delays and inefficiencies persist, undermining their effectiveness. Addressing these challenges requires empowering SECs, ensuring regular elections, and fostering citizen engagement. The ongoing discourse on simultaneous elections provides a unique opportunity to prioritize ULG reforms, ensuring vibrant and functional local democracies.
Related PYQ
Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing development projects? [ UPSC Civil Services Exam – Mains 2018]
Practice Question
Discuss the significance of Urban Local Governments (ULGs) in ensuring decentralized governance and examine the challenges they face in conducting timely elections. Suggest reforms to strengthen ULGs in India? [250 words]
Guidelines for Answering the Question
- Introduction:
- Begin with the role and importance of Urban Local Governments (ULGs) in India’s governance structure, highlighting their contribution to economic growth and citizen-centric service delivery.
- Mention the constitutional mandate under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act for regular elections to ULGs.
- Body:
- Explain their role in decentralized governance and delivering civic services.
- Highlight their contribution to GDP and urban development.
- Discuss challenges in ULG Elections
- Mention reforms Needed
- Conclusion:
- Emphasize the need for regular and timely ULG elections to strengthen local democracy.
- Suggest the inclusion of ULG election reforms in the ongoing discourse on simultaneous elections (ONOE) to ensure vibrant and effective urban governance.