ACCOUNTABILITY OF POLITICAL PARTIES FOR THEIR MANIFESTO AND THEIR ROLE IN MAKING AN EFFECTIVE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM

Author- Vishwajeet Kumar, NLUJA

Co-Author- Prashant Kumar, NLU Patna

ABSTRACT

Democracy compels governments to consider the people's will, according to the core principle of democratic ideology. Political parties exist in every contemporary democracy, and some observers contend that the parties give democracies their responsiveness. Some, however, argue that political parties weaken governments' capacity to act in the public interest and give radicals more influence. As rising democracies worldwide struggle with representation and governability, the topic of parties and democracy is becoming more and more crucial. I show how our understanding of how parties impact democratic responsiveness varies depending on how parties are defined, including their objectives and organisational structure. I look at opposing party theories, describe their observable effects, and draw attention to any empirical findings that might be helpful in reaching a conclusion. In addition, I examine debates on party rivalry, party history, and variables affecting the number and composition of party systems. This study examines the intricate procedures of political responsibility, encompassing the parties' broader responsibilities to uphold democratic principles in addition to the promises they make in their platform statements. A democratic system's vitality and responsiveness are evaluated by looking at the things that facilitate or hinder the transformation of political promises into actual actions.

INTRODUCTION

Election manifestos are formal statements released by political parties outlining their desired goals for the coming election. These publications cover a wide range of issues and provide an account of a political party's programmes, projects, and schemes that is going to be put into practise if they are elected to power. Their real goal is to get people to support and vote for these kinds of policy proposals. These manifestos that are being created and distributed in public are verifiable proof of a political party's goals and objectives, in contrast to the claims made by candidates during speeches and rallies, which are dramatised to maintain audience attention. Notwithstanding the legal integrity election manifestos, or any other written and certified document in black and white are free from this liability. Consequently, after elections, the "freebies" and "promises" made in the manifestos are forgotten. The course of governance in the intricate web of democracy is determined by political parties. A party's written manifesto, which outlines its promises to voters as well as its goals and objectives, is essential to the political process. Holding political parties responsible for the promises they make in their manifestos is a necessary component of a robust democratic system. This accountability not only establishes a certain degree of transparency but also the legitimacy and trust that the people have in their elected representatives. A political party's manifesto, which is essentially an agreement between the people and the party, outlines the laws and changes the party intends to implement in the event that it takes power. However, the efficacy of a democracy hinges not only on the manner in which these pledges are formulated, but also on the degree of dedication exhibited by the political parties to fulfilling them after they acquire power. How successfully policies are carried out, how openly choices are made, and how well political parties adapt to the needs of the electorate are just a few of the metrics that may be used to assess how political parties are held responsible for their manifestos. This accountability allows for the maintenance of the delicate balance between the authority placed in elected representatives and the expectations of the people entrusting them with that authority. In this context, it becomes imperative to examine the processes that hold political parties accountable for their manifestos. Are there explicit frameworks in place to monitor and evaluate commitment performance? How can citizens actively participate in making sure their elected officials fulfil the commitments they made during the campaign? These questions draw attention to the broader debate about the positive relationship that exists between political parties and a robust democratic system of government.Political parties are involved in more than just contesting elections, though. They are essential to the ongoing process of governance because they influence laws and policies that impact the lives of citizens. To understand how political parties contribute to the effectiveness of a democratic system, one must look at their regular roles in legislative bodies, executive offices, and other governance structures.

SCOPING FOR THE DEFINITION OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN POLITICAL PARTY

Above all, accountability is a partnership between two groups of actors. (in practise, most of it is acted out between organisations rather than between individuals), wherein the former consents to report to the latter, offer a rationale or explanation for their conduct, and abide by whatever penalties the latter may apply. Meanwhile, the latter, who or which have come under the former's jurisdiction, must also provide the required details, provide an explanation for their conduct, and take ownership of their activities. To summarise, accountability is fundamentally a two-way exchange of responsibilities and potential consequences between the public and the government. The fact that there are usually a number of competitive and diverse representatives between the two further complicates matters. Naturally, there are a lot of disclaimers, shaky links, and role reversals in this relationship, so the conclusion is almost always contested. Evidence can be selectively chosen and twisted ("sexed up" seems to be the buzzword of the day); justifications and defences can be thrown on other parties ("The IMF made me do it"); penalties can be rarely applied or ignored ("Who are you to question and threaten my..."). Most importantly, as Andreas Schedler has demonstrated, this interaction typically involves "recursive cycles of mutual accountability" in the real world rather than being a simple, linear, and self-exhausting occurrence.

Second, the term "accountability" covers a wide range of subjects, including moral behaviour, financial honesty, social status, sexual relationships, interdependence in the workplace, familial obligations, and national duty. But what interests us most is political accountability, or the kind that could result from the use of asymmetric power. Of course, all of the above could play a political role in the form of promises and payoffs, but from the standpoint of democratic theory, the main issue is how to harness and subdue the coercive power of specific institutions, especially the permanent institutions of a regime that claims to have the sole authority to use such power over a specific population within a specific territory, i.e., a modern state.

 Third, a predictable system of reporting to a constituency of some form is probably present in any stable political system. Sultanistic autocracies are characterised by cliques and cadres. In military dictatorships, juntas and complex schemes are used to resolve conflicts between the different armed services. Apart from dynastic and marital issues on earth, God was supposed to be the ultimate arbiter of even absolute countries. What democracy lacks is their lack of citizens, a group that includes all adult citizens of the country, with the exception of a tiny number of lawfully and illegally living foreign nationals, prisoners, ex-felons, and/or individuals with mental health issues. In addition, all individuals have equal rights and obligations concerning political responsibility. These rights include the right to be informed about upcoming actions, the right to hear the rationale behind them, and the right to evaluate the manner in which they were executed. Their greater reliance on specialised representatives, or agents who act as principals in ensuring the accountability of chosen or appointed rulers, has made their task more challenging. If that wasn't hard enough, these same representative agents/principals might have held the position of governing agent in the past and probably intend to do so in the future! Citizens become agents themselves instead of principals in this framework when they are made to follow judgements they may not have agreed with or even known about.

ROLE AND CONTENT OF ELECTION MENIFESTO

Rarely are election manifestos regarded as essential components of free and fair elections. But it’s crucial to realise that written promises have more weight than stirring speeches given at protests. Election manifestos are crucial for outlining the perspectives on democratic parties.They function as a summary of political parties’ positions on matters that matter to the voters and the nation. These declarations act as a foundation for assessing whether a political party that was elected to power is keeping its promises to the electorate during the election period.

Moreover, election manifestos continue to play an important role in politics; they are utilised to examine the political landscape throughout a party's five-year tenure in office. It fits into the following categories:

· Pre-election phase: During this phase, manifestos are examined from the standpoint of goals, philosophies, and factors that influence the inclusion of a specific policy in the text.

· In the run-up to elections, manifestos are examined in terms of communication tactics and rhetoric, taking into account media coverage, sender, medium, and recipient statistics.

· Post-election phase: Following elections, political parties’ manifestos are disseminated as a means of ensuring responsibility and examining the fulfilment of pledges made.

A thriving democracy benefits from election manifestos, but because there are so many of them these days, it takes weeks for the average voter to read one. Although 74.044% of Indians are literate, many do not fully comprehend the complex socio-economic issues covered in manifestos. Consequently, thorough analysis is essential.

Political parties use election manifestos, which cover important policies like foreign and economic policy, plans, programmes, and governance issues, to target voters and potential voters. These manifestos promise universal social security, free and high-quality education, no loans for agriculture, clean drinking water, and primary healthcare. They also take into account things like national policy, interstate cooperation, international relations, and incentives specific to a community. 'Vote bank politics', or the emphasis on incentives specific to caste, community, or religion, is a drawback of Indian election manifestos. This is a result of the fact that political parties frequently promise short-term benefits to communities in exchange for votes.

Parties must abide by the provisions of the Constitution, such as the Fundamental Rights, regardless of the rewards and initiatives outlined in their platform. A variety of theories have been established by academics to examine and understand the plans and policies that political parties include in their manifestos, with a focus on the content of election manifestos. These are the aforementioned theories:

i. Spatial Theory

Anthony Downs' theory is based on the central hypothesis if a connection of reciprocity exists between voters' policy preferences, rival parties' policies, and party platforms. Nevertheless, these dynamics only matter when public opinion is departing from the platform of the political party.

ii. Salience Theory

The salience theory holds that in order for political parties to win votes during a contest, they must emphasise some policies or problems in comparison to others in their electoral or public pronouncements manifestos, which align with the issues that the electorate finds appealing. Budge and Farlie developed this theory.

iii  Function Theory

The function theory, which was put forth by Benoit, maintains that campaign communications serve specific purposes that ultimately aim to win elections. To a large degree, election manifestos serve these purposes—that is, they uphold positions, criticise an opponent, and provide defence in the event of an earlier attack. According to this theory, election manifestos can therefore be regarded as multifunctional policy documents.

Election manifestos from a Rhetorical perspective

In their election manifestos, political parties frequently use sentimental language and emotive language. The claim that using such rhetoric makes the messages that candidates want to get through to voters more appealing justifies their use. Whether or not parties convey distinct policy positions determines whether or not to use emotive language in their manifestos. Positive, emotive language is more likely to be used when a policy position is less unique, and vice versa. This tactic is also used if a sizable percentage of voters remain undecided.

Additionally, positive sentiment is used more frequently by a party in power than by the opposition in their election manifesto when that party holds a single majority. But, political parties that are currently leading coalitions and serving as prime ministers also have a tendency to prioritise positive sentiment in their manifestos over those of their coalition partners. Additionally, it has been observed that extreme ideological parties employ positive sentiments more frequently. In a similar vein, optimistic sentiments in election manifestos decline during economic downturns. 

EXAMINING ELECTION MANIFESTOS IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT: ADDRESSING UNREALISTIC COMMITMENTS

The term "Election Manifestos in the Indian Scenario" describes the statements made public by Indian political parties during election campaigns. The party's goals, plans, and assurances if elected are outlined in these manifestos. They are an essential instrument that political parties use to convey their platform to the public and sway opinion. InMithilesh Kumar Pandey vs Election Commission Of India &Orscourt held that post-election alliances cannot be deemed unlawful on the grounds that they are against the the relevant political parties' manifestos, and this Court is not competent to legislate or issue a directive in this regard. As such, the manifestos of the relevant political parties' manifestos are legally binding documents. In Santosh Kumar Vs. State of Kerlathe explanation is very evident because the responsibility of serving as the Constitution's guardian to be assigned to them. The founding fathers of the constitution had high expectations for this. The framers of the Constitution placed their faith and trust in the courts, and their role in this regard is similar to that of a trustee. The aggrieved parties may always turn to the legal system to seek redress for violations committed by other State agencies or branches.

SC of India held in S. Subramaniam Balaji v. Government of Tamil Nadu & Ors that giving out freebies of any kind influences people even though the promises made in election manifestos cannot be interpreted as "corrupt practises" under section 123 of The Representation of People's Act, 1951. 

A. CONSTITUTIONAL VALIDITY AND GUIDELINES

From a constitutional perspective, India's election manifesto is crucial because political parties utilise it to communicate their goals and vision for policy to the electorate. The freedom of speech and expression, which includes political parties' rights to articulate their positions in manifestos, is safeguarded by Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution. However, there are restrictions on this freedom, some of which are required to preserve India's integrity and sovereignty.

India's Constitution subtly supports democracy by placing a strong emphasis on equality, justice, liberty, and fraternity in election platforms. Political party manifestos frequently reflect these ideals, guaranteeing free and fair elections. Manifestos inform voters, promote accountability, and help to shape the democratic fabric of the country. They also help to promote openness and accountability. The freedom of speech and expression is important to the constitutional outlook of Indian election manifestos, which guarantees the impartiality and openness of the political process.

During election campaigns, it is anticipated that political parties and candidates will follow the standards and guidelines outlined in India's MCC. To ensure free and fair elections, the ECI maintains it even in the absence of a formal basis. The MCC contains particular laws pertaining to election manifestos. The following guidelines regarding electoral manifestos were offered by the MCC:

Steer clear of commitments that may distort the level playing field: Political parties should abstain from making any promises in their manifestos that could result in discriminatory practises or otherwise disrupt the impartial and fair environment of the electoral process. All political parties and candidates will benefit from equity and equal opportunities as a result.

Gift-giving and corruption: Voters should not be seduced by promises of material gain or other forms of fulfilment; manifestos should not contain such promises. This is to prevent dishonest tactics from swaying voters.

Preserving Peace: Political parties are expected to include social and communal peace-promoting initiatives in their manifestos. The MCC emphasises how important manifestos are to creating a welcoming and tranquil atmosphere.

With regard to privacy and human dignity: Manifestos should protect personal privacy and human dignity. Any recommendations or promises that would go against these principles are discouraged.

Adherence to Previous Policies: The MCC believes that manifestos should be in line with the goals and principles outlined in the party's previous manifestos. By doing this, the party maintains credibility and ensures that its promises are based on its historical performance and philosophy.

Date of Publication: Political parties should release their manifestos well in advance of the election, according to recommendation. Voters are thus able to thoroughly consider and balance the statements made by each party.

Additionally, the MCC `stipulates that manifesto releases cannot take place during the following period:

· The RPA, Section 126, prohibits the release of manifestos during the prohibitory period, which does not apply in the case of a single-phase election.

· If there are many phases to an election, the manifesto cannot be distributed within the prohibitory periods of each phase as specified under Section 126 of the RPA.

Section 126 of the RPA, establishes a 48-hour restriction period that ends at the voting place's polling hour.

Election manifestos are subject to regulations under Section 127A of the RPA, which also places limitations on election leaflets and posters. These limitations are restricted to the requirement that the printer, publisher, and publisher's mandatory declaration be mentioned. Nevertheless, the substance of the pamphlets or posters is not covered by this clause, so it is outside the purview of the law.

As the guardian of fair and free elections, the Election Commission not only addresses issues that arise during the electoral process but also establishes the guidelines for the Code of Conduct. Unfortunately, political parties never adhere to the code of behaviour. The problem is not a lack of legislation, but rather a lack of stringent enforcement. Strengthening the EC's position and giving it more institutional and publicly sanctioned authority are necessary to quell this unjust tendency. The EC must be given authority to punish the rebellious politicians who transgress and break the electoral laws. 

The Commission has recently launched a number of new projects. A scheme for using electronic media as a platform for political party broadcasting, a check on the criminalization of politics, the computerization of electoral rolls, the issuance of identity cards to voters, and the simplification of the procedure for maintaining financial records and filling out the necessary forms by candidates are prominent among these. During the elections, candidates had a level thanks to the variety of channels available for ensuring strict adherence to the MCC. And for this reason, the EC has been working to update the electoral system ever since it was put into motion. It is clear from the various electoral systems that there are frequent upheavals, yet maintaining and bolstering democracy is now necessary. 

CONCLUSION

Accountability is the reciprocal sharing of duties and possible penalties between the people and the government, frequently with representatives from a variety of backgrounds and competitive positions. It addresses several topics, such as moral conduct, fiscal integrity, social standing, romantic partnerships, interdependence in the job, responsibilities to one's family, and national responsibility. From the perspective of democratic theory, the primary concern is political accountability, or the kind that might arise from the application of asymmetric power.

Any healthy political system will probably have a predictable method of reporting to the people, but a democracy cannot exist without its citizens, who have equal rights and responsibilities with regard to politics. When citizens are forced to obey decisions they may not have agreed with or even been aware of, they themselves become agents.

Manifestos for elections are essential elements of free and fair elections, providing a framework for evaluating democratic party positions and a way to determine if a political party is fulfilling its pledges to voters throughout the campaign. They still have a significant impact on politics, monitoring the political climate for the entire five years that a party is in power.

Pre-election manifestos are analysed in terms of objectives, ideologies, and elements that impact the inclusion of a particular policy in the document. Before elections, manifestos are analysed in terms of rhetoric and communication strategies, including media coverage as well as sender, recipient, and medium statistics.

After an election, political parties distribute their manifestos to voters as a way to ensure that the promises made were honoured. Political parties in India release election manifestos during election campaigns, which contain statements about their platforms, promises, and plans for the future should they win. These are legally binding papers that political parties use to convey to the public their platform for policy. Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, although there are limitations in place to protect India's integrity and sovereignty.

In election platforms, the Indian Constitution promotes democracy by stressing equality, justice, liberty, and fraternity. These principles are frequently reflected in political party manifestos, ensuring free and fair elections. They educate voters, encourage responsibility, and contribute to the development of the nation's democracy. The constitutional outlook of Indian election manifestos, which ensures the fairness and transparency of the political process, places a premium on the freedom of speech and expression.

Political parties and candidates are expected to follow the norms and regulations specified in India's MCC during election campaigns. This norm is upheld by the ECI even in the absence of a formal foundation. The MCC provides guidelines for electoral manifestos that include staying away from promises that could stifle competition, abstaining from corruption and gift-giving, maintaining peace, safeguarding individual privacy and human dignity, sticking to past policies, and releasing manifestos well in advance of the election. Voters have the opportunity to carefully weigh the claims made by each party during the election process.

As a guide for political parties, election manifestos are essential to free and fair democratic elections. Because they are more widely distributed and are in black and white, they have more authority. Election manifestos must be taken into consideration by the Indian electoral system, and their pragmatism and realism must be guaranteed. In order to implement these commitments which should be distinguished from promises made in order to purchase votes legislative backing and legal obligations on the side of political parties are required.

Elections are essential for representation, government formation, and political party change in parliamentary democracy. However, they alone are not enough to achieve public ambitions. A vibrant democracy requires free and fair elections, which are outlined in Articles 324-329 of the Indian Constitution. Linking voting to real-world effects requires long-term empowerment of local bodies and localized power, reducing people's propensity for receiving free things. Local bureaucracy must be held accountable to prevent political parties from bearing their load. Voters should choose candidates based on their morality, credentials, and skills rather than their money, caste, community, or criminal history..

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Dash, Siddhartha (2006), “Need for Electoral Reforms”, Journal of Odisha Review, Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 1-14.

2.  Election Commission of India (2016), “Proposed Electoral Reforms 2016”, By Chief Election Commissioner Dr. Nasim Zaidi, website: https://eci.gov.in/files/file/9236-proposed-election-reforms/ p. 1-73.

3.  Election Commission of India (2020), “Awaiting Law Ministry Nod on Poll Reforms: Election Commission”, Website: https://eci.gov.in/files/file/395-awaiting-law-ministry-nod-on-poll-reforms-election-commission/ 

4. Election Commission of India (2020), “Election Commission of India Held Detailed Discussions with the Legislative Department of Ministry of Law and Justice On Various Issues of Pending Electoral Reforms On 18th February 2020”,Website: https://eci.gov.in/gallery/image/1889-election-commission-of-india-held-detailed-discussions-with-thelegislative-department-of-ministry-of-law-and-justice-on-various-issues-of-pending-electoral-reforms-on-18th-february2020/

5. Jain,M.P. (2008). Indian Constitutional Law. Nagpur: Wadhwa and Company.

6. Chopra,J.K.(1984).Election Reforms in India since 1952.(Unpublished doctoraldissertation). Meerut University,Meerut.

7.  Prakash,A (2010). Law relating to elections. New Delhi:Universal Law Publishing Co.Pvt. Ltd.