3.1 Why Elections?
- In a democracy, people cannot rule directly in large communities.
- Elections are essential to select representatives who will make decisions on behalf of the people.
- Elections give people a mechanism to choose or change their representatives and governments.
- Example: 1987 Haryana Elections – Devi Lal’s party (Lok Dal) won due to public dissatisfaction with the ruling party and his promise to waive loans of small farmers.
🔹 3.2 What Makes an Election Democratic?
- Equal participation – one vote per person with equal value.
- Real choice – multiple parties and candidates must be free to contest.
- Regular elections – held every 5 years.
- People’s preference wins – candidate with most votes wins.
- Free and fair conduct – no fraud or coercion.
🔹 3.3 Political Competition
Merits:
- Holds parties accountable.
- Reflects people’s preferences.
Demerits:
- Leads to dirty politics, accusations, and violence.
- Discourages good candidates.
🔹 3.4 Our System of Elections
- Lok Sabha elections: 543 constituencies.
- Vidhan Sabha (State): MLAs elected from assembly constituencies.
- Each constituency = 1 representative = 1 seat.
🔹 Reserved Constituencies
Certain constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs to ensure their representation. This system exists in Parliament and local bodies.
🔹 Voters’ List (Electoral Roll)
- Updated list of all eligible voters (18+).
- Voter ID (EPIC) issued but not compulsory.
- Universal Adult Franchise: Every adult has the right to vote.
🔹 Nomination of Candidates
- Any citizen aged 25+ can contest elections.
- Must submit a nomination form and security deposit.
- Must disclose criminal records, assets, liabilities, and educational qualifications.
🔹 Election Campaign
- Duration: Two weeks before polling.
- Laws and Model Code of Conduct:
- No bribery or threats.
- No religious/caste appeals.
- No use of government resources.
🔹 Polling and Counting of Votes
- Voters go to polling booths.
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are used.
- Votes are counted and results declared.
🔹 Role of Election Commission (EC)
- Independent and powerful body.
- Appointed by President but works independently.
- Enforces Model Code of Conduct, transfers officials, and orders repolls.
🔹 Popular Participation
- Higher voter turnout in India than many developed countries.
- Poor and underprivileged vote more than the rich.
🔹 Acceptance of Election Outcome
- Ruling parties often lose elections.
- Defeated parties accept results – sign of a healthy democracy.
🔹 Challenges to Free and Fair Elections
- Money power, criminal candidates, dynastic politics.
- Parties offering similar promises reduce real choice.
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Introduction
- An election is a process through which people choose their representatives at regular intervals.
- Elections are the foundation of democracy.
Why Do We Need Elections?
The Need for Elections
- Direct democracy (people vote on every decision) is not possible in large countries.
- Elections help in choosing leaders who make decisions on behalf of the people.
- They provide a peaceful way to change governments.
Elections Ensure Representation
- Elections enable citizens to have a voice in governance.
- Example: If elections didn’t exist, leaders might rule indefinitely, leading to dictatorship.
Choosing the Right Government
- The ruling party is accountable to the people through elections.
- Citizens can vote out corrupt or inefficient governments in the next election.
Making Governments Responsive
- Leaders work for the welfare of people because they fear losing elections.
- Elections force leaders to listen to the people’s needs.
A Case of Assembly Election in Haryana
- Haryana had been ruled by a Congress-led government since 1982.
- Chaudhary Devi Lal, the then opposition leader, led the Nyaya Yudh, or Struggle for Justice, movement and formed the Lok Dal political party.
- After winning 76 seats under Devi Lal’s leadership, the Lok Dal and its allied parties formed a government.
- Following his election as CM, Devi Lal kept his promise to waive the loans of farmers, businesspersons and agricultural labourers.
- In the 1991 state assembly elections, Congress reclaimed power from the Lok Dal.
What Makes an Election Democratic?
Free and Fair Elections
- All candidates should have an equal chance to win.
- Voters should be able to vote without fear or pressure.
- Example of unfair elections: In many dictatorships, elections happen, but only one party is allowed to win.
Universal Adult Franchise
- Every citizen above 18 years of age has the right to vote, irrespective of:
- Caste
- Religion
- Gender
- Wealth
- Example: In Saudi Arabia (before 2015), women were not allowed to vote.
Multiple Political Parties and Choices
- A democracy must have multiple political parties.
- Example: In China, only the Communist Party is allowed to rule, making elections undemocratic.
Regular Elections
- Elections should be held at fixed intervals.
- Lok Sabha elections – Every 5 years
- State Assembly elections – Every 5 years
- Municipal and Panchayat elections – Every 5 years
- Example of unfair practice: In Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe kept winning elections through unfair means.
What is Our System of Elections?
First Past the Post System (FPTP)
- The candidate with the most votes wins, even if they don’t get 50% of the total votes.
- Example:
- Candidate A – 40% votes
- Candidate B – 35% votes
- Candidate C – 25% votes
- Candidate A wins, even though 60% of people voted against them.
Direct and Indirect Elections
| Type of Election | Example |
|---|---|
| Direct Elections | Lok Sabha, State Assemblies |
| Indirect Elections | President, Rajya Sabha, Vice President |
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Elections
- Lok Sabha: Members elected directly by the people.
- Rajya Sabha: Members elected indirectly by State Assemblies.
What is system of elections in India?
General Election
• Elections are held in all constituencies at the same time, either on the same day or within a few days.
By-election
• Sometimes election is held only for one constituency or two to fill the vacancy caused by death or resignation of a member.
Electoral Constituencies
• The country is divided into different areas based on population for the purpose of elections which are called electoral constituencies.
• For Lok Sabha elections, the country is divided into 543 constituencies.
• Similarly, each state is divided into a specific number of Assembly constituencies.
Reserved Constituencies
• Some constituencies are reserved for people who belong to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Voter’s List
• The list of people who are eligible for voting is prepared by the Election Commission of India before election.
• In India, all the citizens aged 18 years and above has the right to vote, regardless of his or her caste, creed, colour, religion or gender.
Nomination of Candidates
• Anyone who can be a voter can also become a candidate in elections.
• However, minimum age of in order to be a candidate the minimum age is 25 years.
Election Campaign
• The campaigns take place for a two-week period between the announcement of the final list of candidates and the date of polling.
Polling and Counting of Votes
• The final stage of an election is the day when the voters cast or ‘poll’ their vote.
• Elections are held in all constituencies at the same time, either on the same day or within a few days.
By-election
• Sometimes election is held only for one constituency or two to fill the vacancy caused by death or resignation of a member.
Electoral Constituencies
• The country is divided into different areas based on population for the purpose of elections which are called electoral constituencies.
• For Lok Sabha elections, the country is divided into 543 constituencies.
• Similarly, each state is divided into a specific number of Assembly constituencies.
Reserved Constituencies
• Some constituencies are reserved for people who belong to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Voter’s List
• The list of people who are eligible for voting is prepared by the Election Commission of India before election.
• In India, all the citizens aged 18 years and above has the right to vote, regardless of his or her caste, creed, colour, religion or gender.
Nomination of Candidates
• Anyone who can be a voter can also become a candidate in elections.
• However, minimum age of in order to be a candidate the minimum age is 25 years.
Election Campaign
• The campaigns take place for a two-week period between the announcement of the final list of candidates and the date of polling.
Polling and Counting of Votes
• The final stage of an election is the day when the voters cast or ‘poll’ their vote.
What Makes Elections in India Democratic?
Independent Election Commission (ECI)
- Conducts free and fair elections.
- Powers of ECI:
- Prepares voter lists.
- Decides election dates.
- Monitors election campaigns.
- Enforces Model Code of Conduct.
- Declares election results.
Independent Election Commission
• In India, elections are conducted by an independent and very powerful Election Commission (EC) which enjoys the same kind of independence that the judiciary enjoys.
• The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President of India.
→ But once appointed, CEC is not answerable to the President or the government.
• In India, elections are conducted by an independent and very powerful Election Commission (EC) which enjoys the same kind of independence that the judiciary enjoys.
• The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President of India.
→ But once appointed, CEC is not answerable to the President or the government.
Universal Adult Suffrage
- Every Indian citizen above 18 has the right to vote.
- No discrimination based on caste, gender, or religion.
Secret Ballot System
- Voters cast their votes privately, ensuring no pressure from politicians.
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are used to prevent fraud.
Acceptance of election outcome
• The ruling parties routinely lose elections in India both at the national and state level.
• In India about half of the sitting MPs or MLAs lose elections.
Challenges to Free and Fair Elections
Use of Money and Muscle Power
- Political parties spend crores of rupees to influence voters.
- Criminals contest elections using threats and violence.
Role of Caste and Religion in Voting
- Many people vote based on caste, religion, or region instead of a candidate’s ability.
- Example: Many parties give tickets to candidates from dominant castes in an area.
Fake Voting and Booth Capturing
- Fake voters cast votes on behalf of real people.
- Booth capturing – Party workers force people to vote for their candidate.
Unfair Media Influence
- News channels and social media are used to spread false propaganda before elections.
- Election Commission monitors spending by political parties.
- If a candidate exceeds the spending limit, their election can be canceled.
Awareness Campaigns
- Encouraging people to vote based on policies, not caste or religion.
- Example: SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) campaign by the Election Commission.
Use of Technology
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter ID cards prevent fraud.
- VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) allows voters to verify their vote.
- Despite challenges, elections are the best way to ensure a democratic government.
- Countries with free elections have better governance, freedom, and rights for citizens.
- The focus should be on making elections fairer, transparent, and accessible to all.
- Elections allow people to choose their leaders and remove bad governments.
- A free and fair election requires multiple parties, independent election monitoring, and secret ballots.
- India follows the First Past the Post (FPTP) system where the candidate with the most votes wins.
- India follows the First Past the Post (FPTP) system where the candidate with the most votes wins.
- Strict laws, voter awareness, and technology can improve elections in India.
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