Learning Objective
- Why Do We Need Elections?
- What Is Our System of Election?
- What Makes Election in India Democratic?
Why Do We Need Elections?
- Choosing Lawmakers: Elections allow citizens to select representatives who will create and amend laws on their behalf. These lawmakers play a crucial role in shaping the legal framework of the country.
- Forming the Government: Voters have the power to decide which political party or coalition will form the government. The winning party’s leader becomes the head of the government, making significant decisions that impact the nation.
- Policy Direction: By voting for a particular party, citizens indirectly influence the policies and priorities of the government. Each party has its vision, and voters align with the one that resonates with their beliefs.
What Makes an Election Democratic?
- Choice: People can choose their own representative.
- Contest: Parties and candidates freely compete, providing real choices to voters.
- Regular: Elections occur regularly.
- People’s Choice: The candidate preferred by the people wins.
- Fairness: Elections are conducted freely and fairly, allowing people to express their true preferences.
Is It Good to Have Political Competition?
- Incentives: Regular electoral competition motivates political parties and leaders.
- Popularity: Parties gain popularity by addressing people’s concerns.
- Accountability: Unsatisfactory performance leads to electoral defeat.
- Service: Even power-driven parties must serve the people.
What Is Our System of Election?
- General Elections: These are held every five years for all constituencies simultaneously. Voters elect representatives to the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly).
- By-Elections: Held for individual constituencies to fill vacancies due to a member’s death or resignation.
Electoral Constituency
- Lok Sabha Constituencies: India is divided into 543 constituencies for Lok Sabha elections. Each constituency elects a Member of Parliament (MP).
- Assembly Constituencies: Each state is further divided into a specific number of Assembly constituencies. The elected representatives in these constituencies are called Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). A Parliamentary constituency contains several assembly constituencies.
- Panchayat and Municipal Elections: In local body elections, such as Panchayat and Municipal elections, each village or town is divided into smaller units called wards. Each ward elects one member to the local body. These constituencies are sometimes referred to as seats, as each represents one position in the assembly.
Reserved Constituencies
SC and ST Reservations: In the Lok Sabha, 84 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), and 47 seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Eligibility:
- In an SC reserved constituency, only someone who belongs to the Scheduled Caste can stand for election.
- Similarly, only those belonging to the Scheduled Tribes can contest an election from an ST reserved constituency.
Additional Reservations:
In many states, seats in rural (panchayat) and urban (municipalities and corporations) local bodies are now reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and women candidates as well.
Voters’ List
- “In a democratic election, the Voters’ List is prepared beforehand, containing the names of eligible voters. The government ensures all eligible citizens are included.
- While an Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is recommended, voters can also use other proofs of identity, like ration cards or driving licenses, to vote.”
Nomination of Candidates
- “In elections, anyone eligible to vote can also become a candidate. Candidates must be at least 25 years old. They fill out a ‘nomination form’ and provide a ‘security deposit.’
- Candidates declare their criminal cases, assets, liabilities, and education qualifications. This information helps voters make informed decisions.”
Election Campaign
- “In India, election campaigns aim to discuss who would be the better representative and which party can form a better government. During the two-week campaign period, candidates connect with voters, political leaders hold meetings, and parties rally their supporters.
- Election laws prohibit bribery, appeals based on caste or religion, and misuse of government resources. The Model Code of Conduct also restricts using places of worship and government vehicles for campaigns.”
Polling and Counting of Votes
- “On election day, voters visit nearby polling booths. Inside the booth, officials identify them, mark their finger, and allow them to vote. Each candidate has an agent to ensure fair voting.
- Electronic voting machines (EVMs) display candidate names and symbols. Voters press the button next to their chosen candidate. After polling, EVMs are sealed and later opened for counting. The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins.”
What Makes Election in India Democratic?
Independent Election Commission
“In India, elections are conducted by the Election Commission (EC). The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), appointed by the President, leads the EC. It has broad powers:
- Deciding all aspects of elections, from announcements to results.
- Enforcing the Code of Conduct and penalizing violators.
- Guiding the government to prevent misuse of power during elections.
- Government officers work under EC control during election duty.”
Popular Participation
Voter turnout reflects the percentage of eligible voters who actually cast their ballots.
- In India, the less privileged—poor, illiterate, and underprivileged—tend to vote more actively than the affluent.
- Common citizens believe that elections empower them to influence political parties’ policies and programs.
- Over time, voter interest in election-related activities has steadily grown.
Acceptance of Election Outcome
- In India, ruling parties frequently face defeat in both national and state elections.
- Unlike the US, where incumbents rarely lose, about half of India’s sitting MPs or MLAs are defeated.
- Candidates with criminal ties or those who attempt to buy votes often suffer electoral losses.
- Generally, election results are accepted as the “people’s verdict.”
Challenges to Free and Fair Elections
- Financial Disparities: Wealthy candidates and parties have an unfair edge over smaller ones.
- Criminal Influence: Candidates with criminal ties often secure major party tickets, sidelining others.
- Nepotism: Tickets are sometimes distributed to relatives within families.
- Limited Choice: Major parties’ similarities in policies and practices limit options for voters.
- Disadvantaged Smaller Parties: Independent candidates and smaller parties face significant hurdles.
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