Introduction

The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution began its work in 2000 under Justice M. N. Venkatachaliah. It submitted its report in 2002. The Commission focused on practical electoral reforms that did not need major constitutional changes. It argued that Parliament and the executive could improve India’s electoral system through legislative action and better implementation. Its goal was to make elections transparent, reduce criminal influence, lower campaign costs and strengthen the Election Commission’s authority. The Commission studied voter rolls, candidate eligibility, campaign practices, political funding and party regulation. Its recommendations form one of the most important blueprints for electoral reform in India.

How Did the NCRWC Propose to Curb Criminalization in Politics?

The Commission treated criminalization of politics as a major threat to democracy. It recommended that a person charged with an offence punishable with five years or more should face disqualification one year after framing of charges if the trial does not clear the candidate. It also proposed a permanent ban for heinous crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping and corruption. The Commission urged the creation of special courts at the High Court level to ensure quick trials, ideally within six months. It suggested that appeals from these courts should go directly to the Supreme Court. It insisted on compulsory declarations of assets and liabilities by candidates, their spouses and dependents at the time of nomination. It also wanted political parties to deny tickets to candidates with known criminal backgrounds and warned that parties that repeatedly field such candidates should risk deregistration.

How Did the Commission Suggest Improving the Electoral Process?

The NCRWC highlighted the importance of accurate and transparent electoral rolls. It called for a centralized and fully computerized system. It wanted voter identification cards to be prepared at the village and ward levels under the direct supervision of the Election Commission. The Commission supported rapid adoption of Electronic Voting Machines and encouraged advanced electronic surveillance to curb booth capturing. It suggested empowering the Election Commission under Section 58A of the Representation of the People Act to countermand elections where irregularities occur. It recommended strict penalties for campaigns that promote caste or communal hatred. The penalty would include disqualification and imprisonment. It also suggested shorter campaign periods to reduce expenses and tension. It argued that candidates should not contest from more than one constituency because this practice distorts representation and burdens the election machinery.

Why Did the NCRWC Stress Stronger Regulation of Political Parties?

The Commission believed political parties need transparency, internal democracy and accountability. It recommended a new law called the Political Parties (Registration and Regulation) Act. This law would require parties to hold regular internal elections, maintain membership records and follow democratic procedures. It insisted that parties should adopt transparent, audited financial practices. It proposed that at least thirty per cent of party positions should be reserved for women to improve representation. It also demanded that parties avoid nominating candidates with criminal backgrounds. Failure to meet these conditions could result in derecognition or deregistration. The Commission wanted the Election Commission to gain clear powers to regulate party behavior without infringing on their political freedom.

How Did the NCRWC Address Political Funding and Campaign Expenditure?

The Commission examined the rising cost of elections and the growing role of unaccounted money. It concluded that state funding should not be introduced until strict regulatory mechanisms are established. It believed that without strong oversight state funding might worsen corruption. Instead, it recommended raising the ceiling on campaign expenses to realistic levels so that candidates could report actual spending. It insisted that the law should include expenditure by friends and relatives in the total campaign cost. It advised compulsory auditing of party accounts with cross-verification through income-tax records. The Commission encouraged transparent donations and a clear financial trail from donors to parties. It stressed that public disclosure of accounts would promote trust and prevent misuse of funds.

How Did the Commission Intend to Reduce the Number of Non-Serious Independent Candidates?

The NCRWC observed that many independent candidates contest elections without serious intention, which causes confusion and increases costs. It proposed increasing security deposits to discourage non-serious contestants. It also suggested that any candidate who loses repeatedly should face a temporary ban from standing again. It recommended that independent candidates must secure a minimum percentage of votes to retain the deposit. The Commission felt that these steps would reduce the ballot clutter and allow voters to focus on genuine options.

What Role Did the Election Commission Receive in the NCRWC Recommendations?

The Commission viewed the Election Commission as the guardian of free and fair elections. It suggested giving the Commission more operational freedom. It recommended a clear legal framework that allows the Commission to countermand elections in cases of violence, booth capturing or massive irregularities. It supported more staff, better technology and improved coordination between the Commission and state authorities. It also recommended that the Commission supervise preparation of electoral rolls, issuance of voter IDs and regulation of political parties. The Commission argued that the Election Commission must remain independent and strong to maintain people’s faith in the democratic process.

How Did the NCRWC Address Social Harmony During Elections?

The Commission warned that campaigns based on caste, religion, language or community divide society. It proposed strict penalties for candidates who use such appeals. It also recommended penalties for parties that encourage divisive campaigning. The Commission believed that free and fair elections require a neutral environment in which every citizen votes without fear or intimidation. It urged the government to enforce existing laws more strongly and introduce new safeguards to reduce tension during poll seasons.

Why Did the NCRWC Promote Technological Modernization of Elections?

The Commission supported rapid adoption of Electronic Voting Machines to reduce invalid votes and speed up counting. It wanted digitization of electoral rolls to ensure accuracy, avoid duplication and reduce impersonation. It supported using electronic surveillance to deter violence and fraud at polling booths. It argued that technology strengthens transparency when combined with legal safeguards. It encouraged the Election Commission to adopt modern tools for voter education, grievance redressal and election monitoring.

Conclusion

The NCRWC provided a detailed roadmap for electoral reforms without rewriting the Constitution. Many of its ideas influenced later proposals by the Law Commission, the Election Commission and several committees. Some recommendations were adopted gradually, such as mandatory asset declarations and widespread use of Electronic Voting Machines. Other proposals like stronger party regulation, decriminalization measures and state funding remain under debate. The report continues to serve as a reference for policymakers, academics and civil society organizations working on electoral reform.