Parties are integral to democratic politics, as it is they who nominate candidates for elections, who are then chosen by the voters. Non-party candidates or Independents have very little impact in elections.

The following proposals can prove effective in improving the quality of governance and the functioning of political parties.

1. Membership of a party should be open to all Indian citizens, provided they subscribe to the party philosophy, with uniform membership norms and barriers of entry.
2. Rules governing party membership and membership rolls should be available to party members or the Election Commission.
3. There should be internal mechanisms for addressing disputes within the party.
4. Disciplinary action should not be initiated if a member has opposed the leadership or expressed a contrary view.
5. A member may only be expelled from the party if he deliberately acts in a manner contrary to the principles or discipline of the party and seriously impairs its standing.
6. The Election Commission decides upon appeals on expulsion from the party. The right to appeal to a higher court should be guaranteed. The decision to expel must be justified in writing.

1. All office bearers, including the party leadership, should be elected by members through secret ballot.
2. A party member should be allowed to challenge the leadership through formal procedures without facing the risk of being penalised.

1. Candidates for election to any public office must be chosen by secret ballot. The nomination procedure shall be governed by party statutes.
2. A person may only be named as party candidate in a constituency if he has been selected in an assembly of party members in the constituency or any such body elected for this purpose.
3. The candidates and the representatives for the assemblies of representatives shall be selected by secret ballot.
4. Selection of candidates for other public offices shall be by secret ballot at the appropriate level.
5. Central leadership cannot nominate candidates.