Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
3. The question of state-funded elections involves a delicate balance between curbing corruption and ensuring fair competition. It requires careful consideration and comprehensive reforms to address the concerns of all stakeholders. Examine. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article explores about the transparency in election funding and ponders Should elections be state funded instead?
Key Demand of the question:
To explain Fraternity and the reasons as to why it was included in the constitution and to comment on its relevance in the present day amidst various social issues.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain what is – State funding of elections.
Body:
First, write about State funding of elections; brief history of the origin of the idea, its evolutions etc. The state funding of polls was recommended by the Indrajit Gupta Committee in 1998. The committee had suggested that state funding would ensure a level playing field for poorer political parties and argued that such a move would be in public interest.
Next, List out the merits of such a concept. Then move onto state that despite having some positive offshoot, the proposal is more unlikely to curtail the menace of corruption and it has too many systemic and other grey areas (state these cons). Discuss what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced opinion on the issue.
