The upcoming general elections in India will be the most expensive in Indian history and perhaps one of the most expensive ever held in any democratic country, a US-based expert has said.
The combined US presidential and congressional elections in 2016 cost USD 6.5 billion. If the 2014 Lok Sabha elections cost an estimated USD 5 billion, there is little doubt the 2019 election will easily surpass that – making India’s elections the world’s most expensive.
The uncertainty associated with the coming election-polls suggest a narrowing gap between the BJP and the opposition – only provides more fodder for an arms race in spending.
“The exorbitant cost of Indian elections has become a cardinal fact of the Indian political economy that is widely acknowledged and lamented – including by politicians and their donors. But it is not simply the material outlays that grab one’s attention, it is the manner in which the money flows.
India is going to hold a six weeks long poll that will resound in every corner of the country, from the Himalayas of the North to the backwaters of the South, from Thar in the West to the tea fields in the East, everyone will experience a sense of patriotism and an independent right to choose the best candidate in the coming elections, starting from April 11, 2019.
According to the Centre of Media Studies, the 2019 polling exercise will cost around 500 billion rupees ($7 billion). The calculated amount is more than the amount spent on the U.S presidential and congressional elections in 2016. According to OpenSecrets.org, an organization that tracks money in American politics, about $6.5 billion was spent in the U.S presidential elections of 2016. India has crossed this amount, significantly.
During 2014 elections, the estimated amount spent was $5 billion and CMS projects that this year the amount has increased by 40%, which means it costs $8 per voter whereas 60% of the population lives on $3 per day.
Evidently, the amount spent on Social Media is dramatically high. For promotion, parties take to several mediums which include, media advertisements, publicity materials (posters, stickers, banners, hoardings, and flags) and also public meetings, rallies, and processions.
In 2014, Lok Sabha elections, out of Rs 712.47 crore, BJP spent Rs. 463 crore only on publicity while Congress spent Rs. 346.41 around 71% of the total amount.
Where Does the Money Come From?
2014 was considered the costliest election ever in India’s history, the amount spent was increased from 242 crores (2004) to Rs. 1,037 (2014). When the election dates were announced, BJP and Congress collected Rs. 588 crore and Rs. 109.07 crore respectively, through cash, cheques, and demand drafts.
Maharashtra was the top contributor for both the parties. Rs. 80 crore was handed out to BJP and Rs. 62.5 crore to Congress. Typically, about 15% of the donations were accepted from corporates, business houses, and electoral trusts.
Now, just think about it. How much are politicians spending on campaigning, with a motive to remain in power? Or for some kind of validation? We can’t really decide.
Since the world is getting digital, our leaders should make an attempt to design a platform for digital elections by verifying voters through Aadhar card or Election card over Smartphones. It is guaranteed that the whole election would cost less than 1/10th of the present cost.
All in all, politicians need to rethink the amount of money spent on elections.
