What is Electoral Malpractice?
Electoral malpractice includes any action that undermines the integrity of the democratic electoral process. In India, this takes many forms: booth capturing, voter intimidation, distribution of cash and liquor before elections, manipulation of voter rolls, misuse of government machinery during the model code of conduct period, and the defection of elected representatives through horse-trading. More sophisticated forms include the use of social media for disinformation campaigns, deepfakes targeting candidates, and the exploitation of communal or caste tensions to polarise voters. The role of money power in Indian elections, despite spending limits set by the Election Commission, remains a persistent concern, with many candidates spending far beyond declared limits.
Why This Matters
Free and fair elections are the foundation of Indian democracy. When electoral integrity is compromised, the mandate of the people is subverted, and governance suffers because those who win through malpractice have little incentive to serve constituents honestly. Media coverage of electoral malpractice is particularly polarised: every party accuses every other party of rigging, and outlets tend to amplify accusations against parties they oppose while minimising or ignoring similar charges against parties they support. By tracking how electoral malpractice stories are covered across the political spectrum, readers can assess which allegations are substantiated by evidence and which are primarily political theatre.
How We Track This
We identify electoral malpractice stories by monitoring content related to Election Commission actions, electoral complaints, EVM controversies, model code violations, and campaign finance irregularities. Our system tracks stories from the announcement of elections through results and post-election disputes, capturing the full lifecycle of electoral accountability.