ELECTORAL POLITICS

3
CHAPTER

CONTENTS
 Why Democratic Elections ?  System of Elections in India
 Universal Adult Franchise and Rationale behind it  Educational Qualifications
 Techniques and Methods Adopted in Elections Are the Elections Expensive ?
What makes Indian Elections Democratic ?

➢ WHY DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS ?

Importance of Elections or why do we need elections ? Elections are exceptionally important in a democracy
because of the following reasons :
1. All the citizens in a modern democracy cannot run the administration. Only their representatives can do it for
them. In order to choose such representatives, the elections are a must.
2. Through elections alone the people can get rid of their cruel and unpopular government and in its place they
can elect a new popular government.
3. It is through elections alone that an effective control can be maintained on the executive.
4. Without the elections a democratic government cannot be set up. It has been rightly said, “No elections no
democracy.”
 Why do Modern Democracies have Representative Governments ?
The modern democracies have representative governments due to the following reasons :
1. Present states are very big in size. They are not limited to one city. They are spread over vast areas which
makes it quite impossible for all the residents to directly take part in the administration of their state.
2. The population of modern states is not confined to a few thousands. Rather it runs into several lakhs and
crores, so the modern democracies are indirect or representative.
 What Makes an Election Democratic ?
There are certain conditions which make an election democratic :
1. No person with dubious record should be allowed to contest the elections.
2. There should be more than one party to contest an election otherwise it will be a mere farce.
3. Elections must be held regularly after every few years.
4. Elections should be concluded in a free and fair manner and people should have full freedom to vote for any
candidate they like.

AMLESH KUMAR
Faculty, NDA, Patna
  Political Competition : Its Merits and Demerits. There is no denying the fact that political competition is
essential in elections. It is pointed out that if there is no competition, there is no point in having elections.
This competition allows the voters to judge for themselves which party would serve them better. Without this
competition, no candidate shall ever feel himself responsible to his voters because he had not come to ask for
their votes.
But political competition has many defects which must be removed to make political competition a more
viable system.
1. It creates factionalism and creates a sense of disunity.
2. Political parties and candidates often level allegations against each other.
3. They often make false promises and try to deceive the public.
4. Afraid of dirty attacks, many good people do not like to contest elections.
Inspite of all the defects in political competition, the Constitution makers preferred this out of necessity.
Regular electoral competition provides an incentive to political parties and leaders. They fully know they
stand the chance of winning the elections if they serve and satisfy their voters. But if they fail in this task will
not be able to win the next elections. Political competition may cause some ugliness and divisions yet
ultimately it puts pressure on the political parties and their leaders to serve the people for their own survival.

➢ SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS IN INDIA

 Demarcation of Electoral : In case of any election, Municipal State or Lok Sabha elections, the concerned
area is divided into many constituencies. For Lok Sabha, the whole country is divided into 543
constituencies. The number of Lok Sabha seats/constituencies has been fixed for each state according to its
population. As far as Delhi is concerned, it is divided into seven Lok Sabha constituencies.
Voter’s Lists : After the demarcation of constituencies, the next step is to see that the voters’ list is
prepared. For this, the Electoral Roll is prepared. All residents above the age of 18 are included in this list.
Only insane persons or those who have criminal record are omitted from this list.
Announcement of Election Dates : The election process begins as soon as the dates for the elections are
announced. The election Commission announces the dates for each and every election.
Selection of Candidates : Then different political parties select their candidates keeping in mind their
prospect of winning the elections. Sometimes, political parties also help certain independent candidates
where they have not fielded their own candidates. Generally candidates fielded by political parties stand good
chance of their success as compared to independent candidates.
Filing the Nomination Papers, their Scrutiny, Withdrawal of Nomination by the Candidates and
Publication of Final List : Then different candidates fill their nomination papers in the electron office
before the last date meant for the same. Then after scrutiny, their nomination papers are accepted or rejected.
Then the candidates, whose nomination papers are accepted, are given a chance to withdraw their names.
Then the final list is prepared and ballot papers are printed.
Allotment of Symbols : National parties have their permanent symbols but other parties and independent
candidates are also allotted symbols so that even the ordinary voter can recognize the different parties and
candidates very easily.
Issuing of Election Manifestos : Then the different parties print their election manifestos so that the voters
may easily know their programmes and policies very closely.

AMLESH KUMAR
Faculty, NDA, Patna
 Campaigning : Then begins the campaigning for different candidates which includes postering, meetings,
speeches, processions and house to house canvassing. This thing goes on for many days and only stops 48
hours before the polling time.
Voting, Counting of Votes and Declaration of Results : Then on the specific day, the voting is held on
the basis of the secret ballot. After the voting is over, the ballot boxes are sealed and taken to the counting
centres. There the votes are counted and soon after the result is declared.
Filling of Election Petition : If any candidate is not satisfied with the election results, he can go to the
court of law to redress his complaint.

➢ UNIVERSAL ADULT FRANCHISE AND RATIONALE BEHIND IT

Right to express one’s choice by vote is called franchise. When the right to vote or franchise is given to every
adult in a state, it is called the Universal Adult Franchise.
Rational behind the Universal Adult Franchise or Merits of the Universal Adult Franchise. There are strong
grounds or rationale behind the Universal Adult Franchise :
1. It is based on Political Equality : One person-one vote is now the accepted principle in all democratic
countries. This principle is based on political equality. Everybody, whether he is rich or poor, young or old,
black or white, man or woman, learned or illiterate, should have equal voice in a democratic country.
2. It establishes a True Democratic Government : If by democracy, we mean the government of the
people, then every citizen must have the right to vote. Thus this system of the Universal Adult Franchise
establishes a true democratic government.
3. It makes the Government responsible to All : Since Government affects all, it must be responsible to all.
This is only possible if the right to vote is given to all are given a say in choosing the government of the
country.

➢ EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
In some countries, educational qualification is quite necessary for the voters and the candidates. They hold
the view that when some kind of qualification is quite necessary for holding any job, it should also be there
for the voters especially the candidates who would hold such an important post of responsibility.
But many people, especially those of the developing countries, do not agree with the above view because of
the following reasons :
1. The imperialistic countries intentionally ignored to impart education to their subject people due to lack of
finances and other administrative reasons. As a result of which a large majority of the people remained
illiterate. As they equally fought for the independence of their country along with other educated people, they
have equal right to participate in the political set-up of their country.
2. Secondly, it is argued that educational qualifications are not relevant to all kinds of jobs. A cricket player
should be judged by his ability to play cricket and not by his qualification.
3. The voters are the best judge to choose the educated candidate or an experienced man who has the ability to
understand people’s concerns, problems etc.
4. It is also argued that if a graduate degree (B.A, B.Sc., B.Com.) is made compulsory for candidates, more than
90 percent of the voters would become ineligible for contesting an election. Would that be democratic ?

AMLESH KUMAR
Faculty, NDA, Patna
 ➢ TECHNIQUES AND METHODS ADOPED IN ELECTION
A party usually adopts the following techniques or methods in elections to the Lok sabha or the Vidhan
Sabha.
1. Postering : A few days before the actual election day, the election campaign begins with postering. These
posters being the photographs of the national leaders of the party concerned appear on the walls of the main
bazars and the streets.
2. Meetings : Then the candidates hold various party meeting and corner meeting to get the support of the
party workers as well as the local social, religious and cultural bodies.
3. Speeches : Then various public meetings are held at different places of the constituency to get support of the
common masses. In these meeting various speeches are delivered by the local as well as national leaders.
Much light is thrown in these meetings on the policies and programmes of the party to which the candidate
belongs.
4. Processions : Often long processions are taken out in the constituency from one corner to the other. In these
processions large number of trucks, cars, tempoes, tongas, rickshaws, motor-cycles, scooters, cycles, etc. are
used to carry the processionists who shout slogans in favour of the their candidate, or sometimes against the
other candidates at their loudest voice.
5. House to House Canvassing : Then house to house canvassing is undertaken by the candidate and his
partymen to get the support and sympathies of the general public. The pamphlets and respective manifestoes
are freely distributed among the people to get their vote.

➢ ARE THE ELECTIONS EXPENSIVE ?

Some people hold the view that elections are a great burden on the government, political parties and the
candidates which a developing country like Indian cannot afford. There is some truth in this statement.
According to an estimate about Rs. 3,000 crores were spent in the Lok Sabha Elections in 2004 by the
government, political parties and by different candidates.
But such an amount is worth spending on the elections because if there are no elections, there will be no
democracy. One government will continue in the absence of elections which can become dictator and
corrupt.
If we go deep, we come to know that only Rs. 50 were spent on one voter is Rs. 3000 crore are divided by
the total number of voters for all the Lok Sabha seats. This is a small amount as compared to the liberties that
the people enjoy in a democracy.
Seen from another angle, Rs 3000 crore is less than the cost of a single nuclear submarine for which we have
to pay Rs. 3, 166 crores.
 Importance of Secret Ballot :
In modern democracies, a voter casts his vote through secret ballot. Following are the main reasons given for
adopting the system of the secret ballot :
1. In a secret ballot, the voters can express their choice freely and without any fear.
2. The voter is free from pulls and pressures under the secret ballot system.
3. It brings the desired changes but without any ill-feeling and wrongful attitude.
 Election Manifesto and its Use :
The pamphlet that tells us about the programme, policies and aims of a political party is called the Election
Manifesto. It has the following benefits :
AMLESH KUMAR
Faculty, NDA, Patna
 1. The people know it for certain as to what the party will do if it comes out successful at the polls.
2. Manifestoes bring forth the differences between various political parties.
3. Even when the elections are over, the people can put pressure on the successful party to act according to its
Manifesto.
Symbols and their importance : All the major or national political parties have been allotted well-known
and permanent symbols by the Election Commission. As for example, the political symbol allotted to
Congress is hand (Palm); a wheel or chakra to the Janta Dal; a lotus to the Bharatiya Janta Party; a farmer
digging with a Mamti within a wheel to the Janta Party; the sickle and star to the C.P.I.(M) and the sickle and
the leaf of paddy to the C.P.I. Recently (in 1997) the Bahujan Samaj Party has also been recognized as a
national party and it has been allotted the symbol of an elephant.
 Why symbols are allotted to the political parties :
1. Firstly, even an ordinary and an illiterate man can easily recognize the party by its symbol.
2. The symbols help the political parties to easily arrange their processions and meetings and carry on their
propaganda from street .
3. If there are more than one candidates of the same name in the same constituency, the symbols prove all the
more useful. Only by recognizing the symbols one can easily cast his vote.

➢ WHAT MAKES INDIAN ELECTIONS DEMOCRATIC ?

There is no denying the fact that some people indulge in unfair practices during election in India. The ruling
party misuses the government facilities. Rich candidates use money and openly distribute clothes and even
wine among the people, especially the poor people to buy their votes. Some unsocial elements try to capture
booths and cast votes on behalf of the illiterate rural people . Some unsocial elements try to capture booths
and cast votes on behalf of the illiterate rural people. Some influential political parties manage to include
false names in the voters list. Many steps have been taken to ensure free and fair elections in India.

➢ INDEPENDENT ELECTION COMMISSION

Election in a democratic set-up plays a very important role hence there is a great necessity of an independent
body to hold free and fair elections. This body is called the Election Commission.
 Functions of the Election Commission of India : The Election Commission of India has to perform so
many functions in order to hold free and fair elections. Election system in India has the following
characteristics or Election Commission in India does the following important duties or jobs :
1. Preparation of Electoral Rolls : First of all, Electoral Rolls are prepared wherein the name, father’s name,
age and sex of the voters are clearly mentioned.
2. Delimitation of Constituencies : Then the whole area, where elections are to be held, is divided into so
many clear-cut constituencies so that elections are held in an organized way.
3. Fixing the Election Dates : Then the election date is announced so that voters could easily cast their votes
on that particular date.
4. Scrutiny of Nomination Papers : Then the candidates, willing for contesting the elections, have to file
their nominations upto a particular date. Then the Election Commission scrutinizes their papers and accepts
or rejects the nomination papers as the case may be.
5. Allotment of Election Symbols : Then the political parties of national standing are allotted permanent
election symbols. These symbols help even the ordinary man to understand the different parties instantly.
AMLESH KUMAR
Faculty, NDA, Patna
 6. Printing of Ballot Papers : It is also the duty of the Election Commission to print the ballot-papers well in
time.
7. Holding of free and fair Elections and Declaration of Results : Then on the fixed date, the elections
are conducted. It is the duty of the Election Commission to set up Election Booths, to appoint the Presiding
and the Polling Officers, to count the votes and to declare the results.
8. Checking Undue Interference of the Party-in-Power : Another important duty of the Election
Commission is to see that the party in power does in no way take an advantage over other parties or
individuals.
 Model Code of Conduct :
The different political parties have agreed to follows certain principles during an Election Campaign. Such
principles, as a whole, are known as Model Code of Conduct. Some of the principles of the Model Code of
Conduct are the following :
1. No place of worship shall be used for election propaganda.
2. Criticism of the opponents should be limited to their policies and programmes and in no way stoop down to
personal attacks and counter-attacks.
3. Government should not be used by any Minister and the Ruling Party.
4. No announcement of reforms or favours shall be announced after the elections have been announced.
 Ensuring Popular Participation :
Another way to ensure the quality of election process is to ensure that more and more people take part in the
elections. The following measures have been taken to ensure the larger participation of the people in the
elections.
1. Every step is being taken so that the voters are able to cast their votes according to their preferences.
2. Every effort is being made for the security and safety of the voters at the Election Booths. Sufficient
policemen are posted near the Election Booths so that no illegal person could disrupt the election process.
3. Every attempt is made to see that no inducement is given to voters to cast their votes in a particular way.
4. It is also seen that no coercion is used in any way to force voters to vote for a particular candidate.
5. During the election campaigning, it is to be seen that the Ruling Party does not use the government
machinery in its favour whatsoever.
6. Rigging or using unfair means in elections should not be allowed in any way. Rigging is to elections what
cheating is to examination.
7. All efforts are made to see that nobody tries to use his muscle or money power.
8. Over and above these measures, an institution of Election Commission has been created in India which is
quite independent of the government control. It tries to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner.
 Acceptance of Election Results :
Mostly, it has been seen that the people and the candidates contesting the elections are satisfied with the
election results. If the elections in India would not have been free and fair, ruling parties had never lost the
elections. But alternatively, the ruling parties have been winning and losing elections both at the centre and
in the states. As such, in India, the people and the political parties are satisfied with the results.
 Election Petitions :
Ever, after all the checks and brakes, some candidate is not satisfied with the election result, he can file an
election petition. There is a provision to this effect if a certain candidate is not satisfied about the way the
elections have been held in his constituency or a part of his constituency. The cause can be the use of corrupt
practices or the use of force by a candidate or there can be any other cause. Such a dissatisfied candidate or
candidates can file a petition in the court and question the election of another candidate. Such a petition is
called an election petition. If such a petition is accepted then the by-election is field.

AMLESH KUMAR
Faculty, NDA, Patna
 GLOSSARY
1. By-election : Means an election held to fill a vacancy caused by either death, resignation or any other reason.
2. Campaigning : Refers to a process by which a candidate tries to persuade the vote to vote for him rather than
for others.
3. Constituency : It refers to an area delimited for the purpose of election.
4. Elcectorate : It refers to the entire body of people who are qualified to vote in the elections for the legislature.
5. Election Commission : A parliamentary body constituted to conduct free and fair election in the country.
6. Election Manifesto : A document published by each political party before election containing the policies and
programme of that party.
7. Franchise : Refers to the right of people to vote and elect their representatives to make laws.
8. Opposition parties : The parties which are defeated in the election do not form the government but form the
opposition and keep the government in check.
9. Public opinion : Opinion of the electorate on all major-social political, economic and other important issues.
10. General Election : When an election is held in all constituencies and people from all parts of the country
participate to choose their representatives for Parliament or state legislative Assembly, it is called a general
election.
11. Secret Ballot : System of casting one’s vote is secrecy so that the choice of the voter remains a secret and is not
known to others.
12. Print Media : Means of public information which consists of News papers, Periodicals and Magazines.
13. Electronic Media : Means of public information system which runs on electronics like Radio, T.V., Computer
etc.
14. Universal Adult Franchise : Every Indian citizen of 18 years and above has the right to vote irrespective of
caste, creed or sex.
15. One Person one vote : Every body has the right to cast one vote and everyone’s vote is of equal importance.
16. Seats : The term refers to number of position in any legislature.
17. Election : A contest of power between different candidate and parties.
18. Electoral Participation : It entails participating in the election procedure through voting, contesting election,
compainging .
19. Electoral Roll : It is the voter’s list prepared by a door to door survey to include only bonafide voter and
minimise role of bogus voters.
20. Rigging : Any unfair practice indulged in during election is called rigging.
21. Turnout : The percentage of eligible voters who cast their votes in an election.
22. Incumbent : The current holder of a political office.
23. Code of conduct : A set of norms and guide lines to be followed by political parties and contesting candidates
during election time.

AMLESH KUMAR
Faculty, NDA, Patna
 EXERCISE

A. VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS Q.21 What details does a candidate have to declare
Q.1 Explain the principle of one ‘person one vote’ before he stands for election ?
and universal Adult franchise. Q.22 What is meant by election day and ballot
Q.2 Define secret ballot and constituency. paper?
Q.3 What are the compaigning techniques which Q.23 How do voters cast their vote ?
are used by the contestants ? Q.24 What are the advantages of EVM’S ?
Q.4 What is an election manifesto ? What is its Q.25 What is called a 'Party Ticket' ?
use?
B. SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q.5 State two main features of the election system
in India. Q.1 What are the functions of the election
Q.6 Why is it important for political parties to commission ?
campaign before election? Q.2 What are the different measures taken to
Q.7 What is the role and importance of mass ensure free and fair elections ?
media in a democracy ? Q.3 What choices do voters make during election
Q.8 What is a political party ? What is its role in a ?
democracy ? Q.4 What are the various forms of political
Q.9 “Elections are the barometers of Democracy’”. competition ?
Explain. Q.5 What are the negative effects of electoral
Q.10 What is the importance of public opinion in a competition ?
representative democracy ? Q.6 What are the conditions which make an
Q.11 What are the advantages of contesting the election democratic ?
election as a party candidate ? Q.7 What is the relationship between seat,
Q.12 Mention any two measures that ensure that constituency and representatives ?
elections are free and fair in India. Q.8 Differentiate between ‘parliamentary
Q.13 How can the chief election commissioner be constituency’ and ‘assembly constituency ?
removed from his office ? Q.9 Why have some constituencies been reserved ?
Q.14 Mention any two stages in the election Q.10 (A) What is a ‘voters list’ ?
process before the election campaign begins. (B) What is the importance of a Photo
Q.15 What is the composition of the election Identity Card ?
commission ? Q.11 Why are there no educational qualifications
Q.16 State two weaknesses of the electoral system level down for contesting elections ?
in India. Q.12 Mention four successful strongs given by
Q.17 Why is the muscle power used in the different political parties in various elections.
elections ? What is it used for ? Q.13 What are the restrictions placed on political
Q.18 Differentiate between by-elections, mid-term parties during elections.
elections and general elections. Q.14 State the features of the Model code of
Q.19 What are reserved constituencies ? conduct which all political parties have
Q.20 When can a person be denied the right to agreed to adhere to during elections.
vote?

AMLESH KUMAR
Faculty, NDA, Patna
Q.15 Are elections too expensive for our country ? Q.4 EVM refer for -
Give reason for your answer. (A) Electronic Photo Machine
(B) Electronic Voting Machine
Q.16 State the major trends regarding voting
(C) Electronic Voting Module
pattern in India ? (D) All of them
Q.17 What are the challenges which prevent free
and fair elections from being held ? Q.5 EPIC refer for –
(A) Electronic public issue
(B) Electronic Photo Identity Card
C. LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
(C) Electronic Proposal
Q.1 What measures have been taken to ensure that (D) None of these
the election commission can conduct
Q.6 Any unfair practice in elections to increase
elections in a free and fair manner ? one’s vote is called –
Q.2 Briefly explain the election procedure of (A) Booth capturing (B) Rigging
India. (C) Robery (D) None of these
Q.3 Discuss the importance of election in a Q.7 If any candidate vacates his seat by death,
democracy. resignation etc. them the election held for
Q.4 Mention any five minimum conditions of a filling his seat is called –
(A) By-election (B) Mid-term election
democratic election.
(C) General election (D) All of these
Q.5 What makes elections in India democratic ?
Q.8 The current holder of a political office is
D. MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS called–
(A) Turn out (B)Election Commission
Q.1 What was voter turn out in India in 1991 ? (C) Incumbent (D) None of these
(A) 50% (B) 56%
(C) 60% (D) 62% Q.9 An area delimited for the purpose of election
is called –
Q.2 Which class in India has the highest turnout ? (A) Electoral (B) Franchisee
(A) SC (B) OBC (C) Constituencies (D) All of these
(C) BC (D) ST
Q.10 ........... is the term which refers to number of
Q.3 India is divided into ............... constituencies. positions in any legislature.
(A) 543 (B) 550 (A) Campaigning (B) Seat
(C) 540 (D) 545 (C) Media (D) Election

ANSWER KEY

Q.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. B D A B B B A C C B

AMLESH KUMAR
Faculty, NDA, Patna