green elections in india

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently highlighted the environmental risks associated with traditional election materials, urging a transition to eco-friendly practices.
As the world's most populous democracy, India must prioritise environmental considerations in its electoral processes.
The government must look into overlooked environmental footprint of elections, successful eco-friendly electoral initiatives in Kerala, Sri Lanka, and Estonia, and a blueprint for a green transition involving various stakeholders.
The Successful Models of Eco-Friendly Electoral Initiatives

Kerala and Goa Model
During the 2019 general election, the Kerala State Election Commission urged political parties to avoid single-use plastic materials while campaigning.
Subsequently, the Kerala High Court imposed a ban on flex and non-biodegradable materials in electioneering and wall graffiti and paper posters emerged as alternatives.
Government bodies collaborated with the district administration in Thiruvananthapuram to ensure a green election and training sessions were conducted in villages for election workers.
In 2022, the Goa State Biodiversity Board had eco-friendly election booths for the Assembly elections, using biodegradable materials crafted by local traditional artisans.
The Sri Lanka Model
In 2019, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party launched the world s first carbon-sensitive environmentally friendly election campaign.
It measured carbon emissions from vehicles and electricity used during political campaigns and compensated for the emissions by planting trees in each district through public participation.
This offset the immediate carbon footprint of the campaign and drew awareness about the importance of forest cover.