IAS officer who pulled off ‘green elections’ as observer urges EC to replicate model across India

Essential to make people aware that eco-friendly practices help in reducing greenhouse gases, says IAS Heera Lal, who has recommended that EC implement his ‘Green Election Booklet’.

IAS Heera Lal launching green drive in his capacity as gen observer in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, on 21 May, 2024 | X @dcmohali

New Delhi: If the government is promoting environment-friendly practices across various sectors, shouldn’t green elections also be the norm in India? That’s the recommendation a senior IAS officer, Heera Lal, has shared with the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Lal, currently secretary of Uttar Pradesh’s National Integration Department mandated with promoting unity and social harmony, had implemented the green election concept in Punjab’s Anandpur Sahib parliamentary constituency during the 2024 general election, when he was sent there as a general observer. He later experimented with the concept in Anushakti Nagar and Chembur seats during the Maharashtra Assembly elections last year, and the Visavadar assembly bypoll in Gujarat in June, in his capacity as general observer.

Now he wants to take the model to the national level.

Lal wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on 22 July, requesting him to look at his green election framework, which involves use of biodegradable material, waste segregation, tree plantation and other practices to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

In his letter, seen by ThePrint, Lal also urged the ECI to issue guidelines directing political parties to establish a climate wing, ensure they comply with environmental norms during campaigns, and nominate eco-coordinators or ambassadors at the state/district levels.

“This model has been documented in over 90 pages (Green Election Booklet), with real-world data, visual proof, and testimonials from voters, officials and stakeholders. I am confident that with ECI’s leadership, this can become a national movement for Green Democracy,” said Lal’s letter to the polling body.

ThePrint reached the ECI spokesperson for its view on green elections via text message but had not received any response by the time of publication. This report will be updated if and when a response is received.

It’s not that ECI is impervious to the issue. The commission has been promoting the idea of eco-friendly elections since 1999.

“The Commission has been urging all political parties and candidates to avoid the use of plastic/polythene for preparation of posters, banners etc. during election campaign, since 1999,” ECI said in a letter to general secretaries of political parties in August 2023.

Lal, a 2009-batch IAS from Uttar Pradesh, told ThePrint that when he was an election observer at Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, he formulated “green booths” designed to minimise the use of single-use plastics while incorporating sustainable material. Another important initiative under the green election model was effective waste management.

To ensure proper disposal of waste material, separate collection bins were installed at polling stations and campaign events for recyclable and non-recyclable waste as well as organic waste. Other best practices included the use of digital platforms for campaigning instead of plastic banners and paper pamphlets as well as opting for car-pooling and public transportation during election campaigns and voting day.

“On election day, voters were given free saplings as a token of appreciation that were procured from nurseries of the forest department,” he said. According to Lal, no additional cost was incurred in sourcing these saplings as the forest department gave it free of cost.

Global potential

To push the concept of green elections nationally, Lal has released a comprehensive Green Election Booklet detailing his experiences, standard operating procedures, challenges and achievements. According to Lal, this concept has the potential to go global.

“The success of this initiative serves as a robust local model with a potential for global (Glocal) implementation,” he wrote in the booklet.

Around the world, nearly 90 countries have green parties who identify the ideals of social and environmental justice as their main ideological plank. While their popularity is more prominent in Europe, they also have a presence in the US, New Zealand and Australia.

In the 2024 UK elections, the Green Party managed to win four seats.

Lal said that to formulate a plan and implement a green election, collaboration is needed with multiple stakeholders, including district election officers, police representatives, returning officers and other key officials. Also, engaging community members like bankers, lawyers, schools, colleges, and traders helps drive awareness about green elections and eco-friendly practices.

“It is essential to instill the idea of green election in the minds of the people, making them aware that eco-friendly practices would help in reducing greenhouse gases,” he told ThePrint.

In 2019, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change also approached the ECI to ask political parties to follow sustainable practices during campaigns and political advertisements.

The letter by the ministry urged the use of alternative options like compostable plastics, natural fibres and recycled paper materials during campaigns instead of plastic.

In 2019, Kerala conducted its first green election when the high court banned the use of PVC Flex boards and other non-biodegradable materials as campaign materials. Candidates were asked to use paper materials and cotton cloth for banners and hoardings.

(Edited by Sugita Katyal)