New Delhi, Oct 9 – Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta told a workshop crowd in Bridgetown, Barbados that real democracy thrives when every voice—no matter the gender, region or class—gets a fair seat at the table.
Gupta spoke at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC), a meeting that ends on Oct 12, and urged Commonwealth leaders to make democratic institutions stronger, governance more inclusive, and constitutional values deeper.
“True democracy isn’t about how often people vote. It’s about how fair and open the system is, how many people see themselves represented, and how honest those who run the country are,” Gupta said.
He traced India’s push for inclusive representation back to the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1993, which created Panchayati Raj and municipal bodies and reserved one‑third of all seats in local councils for women. That move brought more than 1.4 million women into public life and reshaped grassroots democracy.
Building on that success, Gupta highlighted the recently passed Constitution (One‑Hundred‑Twenty‑Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023. The amendment now reserves one‑third of all seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women, and for those from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He called it a “moral and constitutional milestone” in gender justice and participatory democracy.
Gupta also praised a wave of reforms that have made Indian elections more transparent and trustworthy. He noted the extension of voting rights to Non‑Resident Indians, the launch of online voter registration, the addition of a “None of the Above” (NOTA) option on electronic voting machines, and the Voter‑Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system—all of which boost election integrity.
He added that the Supreme Court’s landmark rulings, which struck down Section 8(4) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and barred convicted legislators while allowing under‑trial prisoners to run for office, further strengthen accountability in public life.
With the CPC’s final day on Oct 12, Gupta’s message rings clear: robust institutions, inclusive leadership, and ethical governance are what keep faith in democracy alive.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
