• India is a diverse and multi-party democracy with a vast number of parties participating in general elections and a significant number of parties holding seats in Parliament.
• The current electoral system in India, known as the First Past the Post (FPTP) method, has some drawbacks due to India''s unique political diversity. The FPTP system tends to reward the splitting of votes among numerous parties and encourages opportunistic alliances among parties.

Various electoral systems

• The FPTP system is characterized by voters choosing a single candidate, and the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have a majority.
• Alternative electoral systems, such as Proportional Representation (PR) systems, allocate seats based on the share of the popular vote received by each party.
• Ranked Voting Systems allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference, while Score Voting Systems involve scoring candidates on a numerical scale.
• Approval voting, on the other hand, allows voters to select as many candidates or parties as they wish from a list of options. The winner is the candidate or party with the highest number of approvals from voters. It differs from FPTP by allowing voters to support multiple options and does not require candidates to have a majority. It has been used in various elections, including within the United Nations, US party primaries, and sometimes for electing the Pope.

FPTP

In recent times, questions have been raised as in the 2014 election, NDA won only 31% of the total votes cast and, therefore, 69% of those who voted did not vote in favor. Due to this system, the groups of parties which managed to get less than 50% of the total votes polled have managed to get more than 75% of the total seats in the parliament. The argument is that due to FPTP, certain groups of people will never get a share in the power structure

Merits of the FPTP system:

1. Simplicity and candidate-centered voting.
2. Stability and potential for majority governments.
3. Encourages broad-based party participation and links between constituents and representatives.

Demerits of the FPTP system:

1. Exclusion of small or regional parties.
2. Discrepancy between vote share and seat share.
3. Inadequate representation for parties with significant vote shares.

Proportional Representation (PR) System in India

India is not new to PR system; in our country, the following elections are held on the basis of proportional representation:

• President
• Vice President
• Members of Rajya Sabha
• Members of state legislative council

Merits of Proportional Representation (PR):

• Ensures proportionate representation for smaller parties.
• Encourages broader participation and representation of diverse groups.
• Allows for more choices for voters and promotes inclusivity.

Demerits of Proportional Representation (PR):

• Can result in the formation of coalition governments, leading to potential instability.
• May weaken the direct connection between voters and individual candidates.
• Complexity in the voting process compared to other systems.

Electoral Alliances: A Response to First-Past-the-Post System

• Under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system in India, political parties often form alliances to prevent the splitting of votes.
• With more than 600 parties participating in general elections, the FPTP system has resulted in a fragmented political landscape.
• Parties strategically join forces to consolidate voter support and maximize their chances of winning seats. These alliances, while driven by the necessity to secure electoral success, may not always reflect ideological compatibility or shared values between participating parties.

The Need for a Better Electoral Method in India

• Given the complexities of India''s political diversity and the limitations of the FPTP system, there is a need for a more effective electoral method.
• The proliferation of electoral alliances suggests that the current system does not adequately represent the diverse range of political views in the country.
• To address this, alternative voting methods can be explored to enhance voter choice and encourage a more inclusive and representative democratic process.

Introducing Approval Voting: Many Of The Above (MOTA)

• Approval voting, also known as Many Of The Above (MOTA), offers an alternative approach to voting.
• Unlike the FPTP system that limits voters to select only one candidate, approval voting allows voters to choose as many candidates as they approve of.
• In this system, a voter can support multiple parties, signaling their preference for a wider range of candidates. By expanding the options available to voters, approval voting reduces the need for complex and unstable electoral alliances.

Advantages of Approval Voting in a Multi-Party Democracy

• Approval voting has proven to be effective in multi-party democracies. Allowing voters to express support for multiple candidates, reduces voter fragmentation and encourages a more accurate reflection of public sentiment.
• Approval voting allows voters to choose multiple candidates or parties without fear of wasting their vote or helping their least preferred option. It can also discourage post-election defections and political vote trading by minimizing the need for pre-poll alliances and seat-sharing arrangements.
• To implement approval voting in India, a new option called MOTA (Many Of The Above) could be added to the ballot, mirroring the existing NOTA (None of the Above) option. MOTA would enable voters to choose multiple candidates or parties, preserving the existing electoral system while promoting a more inclusive voting process.
• Approval voting offers several benefits for India, such as potentially increasing voter turnout and participation by providing more choices and freedom for expressing preferences. It could also reduce polarization by encouraging consideration of moderate and inclusive options. Additionally, it could enhance representation and accountability by forcing candidates and parties to appeal to a broader electorate.
• Research and experiences from other countries utilizing approval voting have shown that it produces outcomes that are acceptable to a greater majority of voters.
• This method promotes a more inclusive and representative political landscape, as it empowers voters to indicate their preferences without being constrained by the limitations of the FPTP system.

Challenges of Approval Voting

• However, implementing approval voting may face challenges. The concept is relatively new in Indian politics, requiring awareness campaigns and education to familiarize voters with the methodology.
• Established parties may resist the change, fearing it could disrupt their dominance or electoral dynamics.
• Fragmented results and legal considerations may also need to be addressed.

Transforming Indian Politics: From Opportunistic Alliances to Ideological Politics

• The implementation of approval voting in India can fundamentally transform the dynamics of political alliances. It reduces the reliance on opportunistic alliances formed solely to prevent the splitting of votes and encourages a shift toward ideological politics.
• Instead of parties entering into forced partnerships, voters can express their preferences for multiple candidates or parties, aligning with their beliefs and values.
• Approval voting provides a more nuanced and accurate representation of voter choices, fostering a political landscape that values ideological alignment over strategic alliances.

Looking Forward

• Steps can be taken to introduce and effectively implement approval voting in India. Promoting awareness and education, conducting pilot programs and case studies, engaging with political parties, seeking international collaboration and expert consultation, and fostering public discourse and debates can contribute to the successful adoption of approval voting.
• The introduction of approval voting in India has the potential to address the challenges posed by the FPTP system and the prevalence of electoral alliances. By expanding voter choice and reducing voter fragmentation, approval voting can lead to a more representative and inclusive democratic process. This shift can encourage parties to focus on ideology and values rather than opportunistic alliances, ultimately transforming Indian politics into a system that better reflects the diverse perspectives and aspirations of its citizens.