Table of Contents

Election 2024 ............................................................................................................................................................ 2

Model Code of Conduct .........................................................................................................................................3

Simultaneous Elections......................................................................................................................................... 4

First General Election 1951-52 ............................................................................................................................ 5

Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) ......................................................................................................6

Right to Privacy for Election Candidate.......................................................................................................... 7

District Election Management Plan .................................................................................................................8

Suvidha Portal .........................................................................................................................................................8

Candidate Elected Unopposed ............................................................................................................................8

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 Election Affairs
Election 2024
❖ The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1.
❖ Results will be declared on June 4.
❖ Election will be held in 7 Phases: April 19, April 26 May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1
❖ There will be Simultaneous Assembly Elections in: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh
• Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim counting dates advanced to June 2 to align with their term expiration on
the same day.
❖ Electoral Data: Total Registered Voters: 96.8 crore (967 million).
• Men: 49.72 crore (497.2 million).
• Women: 47.1 crore (471 million).
❖ First-time Electors: 1.82 crore (18.2 million), with 85 lakh (8.5 million) women.
❖ Gender Ratio: 948 women per 1,000 men, with more women than men in 12 states.
❖ Some Key Initiatives: Vote from Home: Seniors (85+ years) and those with over 40% disability can vote
from home for the first time.
❖ Manipur Refugee Voting: Special polling stations will be arranged at/near relief camps for displaced voters
due to the recent ethnic conflict.
❖ Model Code of Conduct (MCC): Chief Election Commissioner emphasized combating challenges of "four
Ms" (muscle power, money power, misinformation, and MCC violations).
Election Commission of India
❖ ECI is a Autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and state election Parties
❖ The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State legislative Assemblies in india
and the offices of President and Vice President. It must be noted here that the commission does not deal
with the elections to the Municipalities and Panchayats in the states. Hence, a separate State Election
Commission is provided by the Constitution of India.
❖ Part 15 of the Constitution deals with ECI
❖ Established on 25th January 1950 also celebrated as Voters Day
❖ Article 324 to 329 deals with powers, Function, tenure, eligibility, etc of the ECI
❖ On 16 October 1989, the voting age was changed from 21 to 18 years. So, two more election
commissioners were appointed by the president in order to cope with the increased work of the election
commission. The commission consists of one chief Election Commissioner and two Election
Commissioners
❖ Recently President appointed Rajiv Kumar as 25th CEC and the other Election Commissioners are Gyanesh
Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.
• Sukumar Sen was the First Chief Election Commissioner of india
• S Ramadevi was the first female Election Commissioner of india
• Kalyan Sundaram Longest Serving for 8 years 284 days.
❖ Tenure of 6 years or upto 65 years of age
❖ The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through a process of removalsimilar to
that of a Supreme Court judge for by Parliament.
❖ Judges of High Courts and Supreme Court, CEC, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) may
be Removedfrom office through a motion adopted by Parliament on grounds of ‘Proven misbehaviour or
incapacity’.

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❖ Removal requires special majority of 2/3rdmembers present and voting supported by more than 50% of
the total strength of the house.
❖ Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India Case, 2023: A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC) unanimously
ruled that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners shall be
made by the President on the advice of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the
Opposition of the Lok Sabha and Chief Justice of India (CJI).
❖ The Parliament passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners
(Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, in response to the directive of the
Supreme Court in the Anoop Baranwal v Union of India case, 2023.
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)
❖ Electronic Voting is the standard means of conducting election using Electronic Voting Machines,
sometimes called EVM's in India.
❖ The industrial designers of the EVM's were faculty members at the Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay.
❖ EVMs were commissioned in 1989 by the Election Commission of India in collaboration with Bharat
Electronics and Electronics Corporation of India Limited.
❖ They were First introduced in Indian elections between 1998 and 2001, in a phased manner
❖ The EVMs were first used in 1982 in the by-election to North Paravur Assembly Constituency in Kerala.
❖ Electronic voting machines have been used in all general elections of India since 2014.
❖ The EVM's were used first time in the general election to the assembly of Goa in 1999.
❖ The Electronic Voting Machines used in the Indian elections can record a maximum of 2000 votes.

Model Code of Conduct

❖ The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force with the announcement of voting dates for the Lok
Sabha elections 2024 by the Election Commission of India (ECI), marking a significant aspect of electoral
governance.
❖ About: The MCC is a consensus document. The political parties have themselves agreed to keep their
conduct during elections in check and to work within the Code.
❖ It helps the EC in keeping with the mandate it has been given under Article 324 of the Constitution, which
gives it the power to supervise and conduct free and fair elections to the Parliament and State
Legislatures.
❖ The MCC is operational from the date on which the election schedule is announced until the date of the
result announcement.
❖ The government cannot announce any financial grants, promise construction of roads or other facilities,
and make any ad hoc appointments in government or public undertaking during the time the Code is in
force.
❖ Enforceability of MCC: Though the MCC does not have any statutory backing, it has come to acquire
strength in the past decade because of its strict enforcement by the EC.
❖ Certain provisions of the MCC may be enforced by invoking corresponding provisions in other statutes such
as the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973, and Representation of
Peoples’s Act (RPA) 1951.
❖ Evolution of MCC: Kerala was the first state to adopt a code of conduct for elections. In 1960, before the
Assembly elections in the state, the administration prepared a draft code covering important aspects of
electioneering such as processions, political rallies, and speeches.
❖ In 1974, the ECI released a formal MCC. It also set up bureaucratic bodies at the district level to oversee its
implementation. Before 1977, MCC guided only political parties and candidates.
❖ In 1979, the Election Commission learned of ruling parties misusing power like monopolising public spaces
and using public money for advertisement. The Election Commission revised MCC to include ruling
political parties.
❖ The revised MCC had seven parts, with one for the ruling parties' behaviour after the election
announcement.
• Part I: General good behaviour for candidates and parties.
• Parts II and III: Rules for public meetings and processions.
• Parts IV and V: Guidelines for behaviour on polling day and at polling booths.
❖ The MCC has been revised on several occasions since 1979, with the last time being in the year 2014.

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❖ Key Provisions of MCC: General Conduct: No party or candidate shall include in any activity that may
aggravate existing differences or cause tension between different castes and communities, religious or
linguistic.
• Similarly, Section 123(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, disallows the usage of
religion, race, caste, community, or language to promote enmity or hatred among the people and use of
it as a political tool.
❖ Meetings and Processions: Parties must inform the local police authorities of the venue and time of any
meeting to enable the police to make adequate security arrangements.
❖ If two or more candidates plan processions along the same route, the political parties must establish
contact in advance to ensure that the processions do not clash.
❖ Carrying and burning effigies representing members of other political parties is not allowed.
❖ Polling Day: Only voters and those with a valid pass from the EC are allowed to enter polling booths.
❖ All authorised party workers at polling booths should be given suitable badges or identity cards.
❖ Identity slips supplied by them to voters shall be on plain (white) paper and shall not contain any symbol,
name of the candidate or the name of the party.
❖ The EC will appoint observers to whom any candidates may report problems regarding the conduct of the
election.
❖ Party in Power: The MCC incorporated certain restrictions in 1979, regulating the conduct of the party in
power. Ministers must not combine official visits with election work or use official machinery for the
same.
❖ NOTE: In 2013, the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice proposed
legally binding the MCC and integrating it into the RPA 1951.
❖ Dinesh Goswami Committee on Electoral Reforms (1990) suggested that the weakness of the MCC could
be overcome by giving it statutory backing and making it enforceable through law

Simultaneous Elections
❖ In a significant move towards electoral reform, the High-level Committee on Simultaneous
Elections, constituted under the chairmanship of Shri Ram Nath Kovind, former President of India, has
proposed simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local bodies in India.
❖ The committee's report, submitted to President Droupadi Murmu, outlines comprehensive
recommendations and amendments to the Constitution to facilitate this monumental change.
• Previous Reports: The issue of simultaneous elections has been addressed in reports by the Law
Commission (1999), and the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law
and Justice (2015). Additionally, the Law Commission submitted a draft report in 2018.
❖ Recommendations: Transition to Simultaneous Elections: Amendment to Article 82A: The Committee
suggests amending Article 82A of the Constitution to empower the President to designate an "Appointed
Date" for the commencement of simultaneous elections to the House of the People and Legislative
Assemblies.
❖ State assemblies going to poll after this date would synchronize their terms with the Parliament, facilitating
simultaneous elections.
❖ Term Synchronization: If the recommendations are accepted and implemented after the 2024 Lok Sabha
polls, the first simultaneous elections could potentially be held in 2029.
❖ States with elections due between June 2024 and May 2029 would see their terms expire alongside
the 18th Lok Sabha, even if it results in some state assemblies having terms of less than five years as a
one-time measure.
❖ States like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu (2026), Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh (2027), and Karnataka,
Chhattisgarh, Telangana (2028) would synchronise their election cycles.
❖ The government elected after the 2024 polls would decide on the starting point for implementing
simultaneous elections, either targeting 2029 or 2034 based on their preference.
❖ To maintain synchronicity in case of premature dissolution of Parliament or a state assembly, the
committee recommended conducting fresh elections only for the remaining term, or the "unexpired
term" until the next cycle of simultaneous polls.
❖ This measure ensures that any hung House or no-confidence motion does not affect the overall timeline
for simultaneous elections.
❖ Synchronisation of Local Body Elections: Parliament is advised to enact legislation, possibly through
the introduction of Article 324A, to ensure the synchronization of Municipalities and Panchayats elections
with General Elections.

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❖ This legislation would determine the terms of local bodies and align their election schedules with national
electoral timelines.
❖ Electoral Roll Preparation and Management: The Committee suggests amending Article 325 of the
Constitution to enable the Election Commission of India (ECI) to prepare a single electoral roll and
Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) applicable to all tiers of government in consultation with State Election
Commissions.
❖ The electoral rolls for Lok Sabha are prepared and maintained by the ECI, while the electoral rolls for local
bodies are prepared by the SEC.
❖ The Committee emphasises the importance of harmonisation between the ECI and State Election
Commissions (SECs) to prevent duplication and safeguard voter rights.
❖ Constitutional Provisions: Article 83: Specifies the duration of the Lok Sabha (House of the People),
stating that it shall continue for five years from its first meeting unless dissolved earlier.
❖ Article 172: Pertains to the duration of State Legislative Assemblies, declaring that a Legislative Assembly
shall continue for five years from the date of its first meeting.
❖ Article 324: Empower the ECI to supervise, direct, and control the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct
of elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President.
❖ Article 356: Allows for the imposition of the President's Rule in a State in case of failure of the
constitutional machinery, leading to direct rule by the President through the Governor.
❖ Representation of Peoples Act, 1951: Provides the legal framework for conducting elections in India,
covering aspects such as electoral rolls, qualifications for membership, and election conduct.
History of Simultaneous Elections in India
❖ Simultaneous elections in India, where both the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies are elected
together, were practised during the initial years after independence in 1952, 1957, and 1962.
❖ However, due to various factors such as political instability, early dissolution of State Assemblies, and the
need for separate elections to address regional issues, the practice of simultaneous elections gradually
faded.
❖ In 2019, only four States (Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim) had their assembly
elections, along with the Lok Sabha.
❖ Countries with Simultaneous Elections: South Africa: Elections to the National Assembly and provincial
legislatures occur simultaneously every five years.
❖ The President of South Africa is elected by the National Assembly.
❖ Sweden: The Prime Minister of Sweden is elected by the legislature every four years.
❖ Germany: The Chancellor of Germany is elected by the legislature every four years. Lack of confidence in
the Chancellor can only be resolved by electing a successor.
❖ Britain: The Fixed-term Parliaments Act, 2011 was passed to provide a sense of stability and predictability
to the British Parliament and its tenure. It provided that the first elections would be held on the 7th of May,
2015 and on the first Thursday of May every fifth year thereafter.

First General Election 1951-52

❖ As India gears up for the 2024 general election, the historic importance of the country's first Lok Sabha
election in 1951-52 is gaining attention. This inaugural election was a pivotal moment in India's democratic
evolution.
❖ Key Facts: Historic Vote: Independent India’s first general elections were held between 25th October 1951
and 21st February 1952. It was a humongous exercise in which a sixth of the world’s population was going
to vote, making it the largest election conducted in the world at the time.
❖ Ultimately, 17.32 crore voters from across the country (excluding Jammu and Kashmir) were enrolled,
and 45% were women.
❖ This was the first time such a massive exercise of universal adult franchise was undertaken, with 176
million electors above the age of 21(the voting age was brought to 18 only in 1989, the Constitution
(Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1989), of whom 82% were unlettered.
❖ Legal Framework: The Parliament enacted the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951 laying
down the groundwork for voter qualifications, election machinery, and other electoral processes.
❖ The Election Commission of India (ECI) was set up in January, 1950, with Sukumar Sen as the Chief
Election Commissioner.
❖ Election Machinery: Coloured ballot boxes and ballot papers the size of a Re 1 currency note were used to
aid the largely illiterate electorate.

5
❖ In 1951, India's low literacy rate of 18.33% led to the idea of using different coloured ballot boxes for each
candidate, but this was deemed impractical. Instead, it was decided to use separate ballot boxes for each
candidate at all booths, with the candidate's election symbol on it.
❖ The ballot papers pink in color, with "Election Commission India" and a serial number with two letters
denoting the state - HY for Hyderabad State, BR for Bihar, AS for Assam, etc.
❖ Political Landscape and Party Participation: There were 53 political parties, of which 14 were
national. These included the Indian National Congress, the Communist Party of India (lead by A. K. Gopalan,
S.A. Dange, E.M.S. Namboodiripad), the Socialist Party (lead by Ram Manohar Lohia), the Kisan Mazdoor
Praja Party (Acharya Kripalani), and Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha (Vinayak D. Savarkar), among others.
❖ Election Outcome: The Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, emerged as the dominant
political force, securing 318 out of 489 Lok Sabha seats, consolidating its position as the ruling party.
❖ The Communist Party of India (CPI) emerged as the runner-up in the first Lok Sabha election, followed by
the Socialist Party and other political parties.

Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)

❖ Recently, the Supreme Court upheld the usage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable
Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), just ahead of the first phase of voting on 19th April 2024.
❖ The Supreme gave this observation in the case of Association for Democratic Reforms v. Election
Commission of India (ECI) and Anr. (2024).
❖ About: The VVPAT machine is attached to the ballot unit of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), and
provides visual verification for the vote cast by a voter by printing a slip of paper with the voter’s choice on
it.
❖ The slip of paper with the candidate’s details is briefly displayed for verification behind a glass window,
giving the voter 7 seconds, before dropping into a compartment below.
❖ Voters are not allowed to take the VVPAT slip home as it is used to verify votes in five randomly selected
polling booths.
❖ The concept aims to enhance trust in the voting process by enabling physical verification of electronically
cast votes, reassuring both voters and political parties about the accuracy of their votes.
❖ Reason for Introduction: The concept of the VVPAT machine was initially proposed in 2010 during a
meeting between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and political parties to enhance transparency in
the EVM-based polling process.
❖ Following prototype preparation, field trials were conducted in Ladakh, Thiruvananthapuram, Cherrapunjee,
East Delhi, and Jaisalmer in July 2011.
❖ It led to the approval of VVPAT by an expert committee of the ECI in February 2013.
❖ Legal Aspect: In 2013, the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 were amended to allow for a printer with a
drop box to be attached to the EVM.
❖ The VVPAT was first used in all 21 polling stations of the Noksen Assembly constituency of Nagaland in
2013, leading to its phased introduction decided by the ECI, with 100% adoption by June 2017.
❖ Supreme Court’s Views on VVPAT: In Subramanian Swamy vs Election Commission of India Case, 2013, the
Supreme Court mandating VVPATs for transparent elections, compelling government funding for their
implementation.
❖ In 2019, a petition was moved to the SC asking for a minimum 50% randomised VVPAT slips to be counted.
❖ However, the Election Commission of India (ECI) raised concerns regarding the challenges posed by
counting 50% of VVPAT slips, including a potential delay of 5-6 days in declaring election results and
infrastructure limitations such as the availability of manpower.
Statistical Data about VVPAT Slips
❖ Initially the Election Commission used to match VVPAT paper slips of 4,125 electronic voter machines
under the one EVM per assembly segment rule.
❖ This was based on the result of the request made by the EC, in 2018 to the Indian Statistical Institute
(ISI) to determine a sample size for the internal audit of VVPAT slips with EVM results that is
mathematically sound, statistically robust, and practically cogent.
❖ As per ISI's calculations, even counting slips from 479 randomly selected VVPATs across the
country would guarantee over 99% accuracy.
❖ However, the Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that VVPAT slips of five electronic voting machines in every
constituency should be counted instead of just one EVM for the greatest degree of accuracy, and
satisfaction in the election process.

6
❖ These five polling stations are selected by a draw of lots by the Returning Officer concerned, in the
presence of candidates/ their agents.
❖ With the Supreme Court ruling, the ECI has to now count VVPAT slips of 20,625 electronic voting
machines.
Indian Statistical Institute (ISI)
❖ The Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) is a prestigious institution in India, recognised as an Institute of
National Importance by the 1959 act of the Indian parliament.
❖ It was registered on 28th April 1932 as a non-profit distributing learned society under the West Bengal
Societies Registration Act, 1860.
❖ It was founded by Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in Kolkata.
❖ ISI engages in extensive research, with contributions to various fields and collaboration with governmental
and industrial entities.
❖ It comes under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (Rao Inderjit Singh {IC})

Right to Privacy for Election Candidate

❖ The Supreme Court of India in its recent judgement titled KARIKHO KRI vs. NUNEY TAYANG, 2024 has ruled
that every candidate contesting in the elections need not declare each and every movable asset it
possesses.
❖ The Court ruled that Candidates too have a Right to Privacy from the voters and they cannot lay their life
out thread-bare for examination.
❖ Facts: The SC was hearing a petition filed by an MLA from Arunachal Pradesh challenging a 2023
Guwahati High Court judgement that declared his election null and void for not declaring three vehicles as
his assets in his affidavit filed in the form appended to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.
❖ The petition said that the electoral candidate committed a “corrupt practice" under Section 123 of
the Representation of People Act (RPA), 1951 by not declaring the ownership of said vehicles.
❖ Supreme Court said that a candidate’s choice to retain his privacy on matters that were of no concern to
the voters or were irrelevant to his candidature for public office did not amount to a “corrupt practice”
under Section 123 of the RRA, 1951.
❖ Also, such non-disclosure would not amount to a “defect of a substantial nature” under Section 36(4) of
the 1951 Act.
❖ The court said that voters have a right to the disclosure of information which was essential for choosing
the candidate for whom a vote should be cast.
❖ Right to Privacy: The right to privacy is a fundamental right, which protects the inner sphere of the
individual from interference from both State and non-state actors and allows the individuals to make
autonomous life choices.
❖ The Supreme Court described privacy and its importance in the landmark decision of K.S. Puttaswamy vs
Union of India in 2017 that the right to Privacy is a fundamental and inalienable right and attaches to the
person covering all information about that person and the choices that he/she makes.
❖ The right to privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21.
❖ Representation of Peoples Act, 1951: The RPA of 1951 governs the conduct of elections and the
qualifications and disqualifications of elected representatives.
❖ Provisions: It regulates the conduct of elections.
o It specifies the qualifications and disqualifications for membership in the parliament of legislative
houses
o It provides provisions to curb corrupt practices and other offences.
o It lays down the procedure for settling doubts and disputes arising out of elections.
o Section 36(4) in the Act of 1951 mentions that the returning officer shall not reject any nomination
paper on the grounds of any defect that is not of a substantial character.
❖ Corrupt Practices under RPA, 1951: Corrupt Practices: Section 123 of the Act defines ‘corrupt practices’
to include bribery, undue influence, false information, and promotion of “feelings of enmity or hatred
between different classes of the citizens of India on grounds of religion, race, caste, community, or
language” by a candidate for the furtherance of his prospects in the election.
❖ In Abhiram Singh versus C. D. Commachen Case (2017) SC ruled that candidates are prohibited from
appealing for votes not only based on their own religion but also on that of the voters.
❖ Undue Influence: The section defines undue influence as any direct or indirect interference, including
threats, that hinders the free exercise of electoral rights.

7
❖ Disqualification: Section 123(4) allows disqualification of an elected representative for certain offences,
corrupt practices, failure to declare election expenses, or having interests in government contracts or
works.

District Election Management Plan

❖ In light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the conduct of elections has become increasingly complex
and multifaceted, requiring meticulous planning and execution to ensure a free, fair, and inclusive electoral
process.
❖ A cornerstone of this planning process is the District Election Management Plan (DEMP).
❖ About: The DEMP is a comprehensive document that uses statistics and analysis to ensure the smooth
conducting of elections in districts.
❖ Preparation: According to the directives of the Election Commission of India, the DEMP must be
formulated at least six months before the tentative date of polling.
❖ The dynamics of the electoral process often necessitate periodic reassessment and modification of the
plan after the official announcement of elections.
❖ The effective execution of the DEMP entails a coordinated endeavour involving electoral officials,
administrative bodies, law enforcement agencies, and other pertinent stakeholders.
❖ Scheduled engagements with political entities and media outlets are also arranged to provide them with
comprehensive briefings on electoral regulations and procedures.
❖ Elements of DEMP: District Profile: It is the foundational element of the electoral strategy, incorporating a
political map delineating constituencies, pertinent demographic and infrastructure statistics, and an
overview of the district's administrative structure and socio-economic characteristics.
❖ Polling Station Infrastructure: Detailed strategies are devised to enhance the availability and accessibility
of polling stations, ensuring essential amenities such as ramps, electricity, lighting, drinking water, toilets,
and internet connectivity.
❖ EVM Management: Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) management is crucial for maintaining the integrity
of the electoral process, with plans necessary for secure storage and availability of EVMs and Voter
Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), including plans for their transportation and maintenance.
❖ Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Plan: It focuses on augmenting electoral
participation by analysing voter turnout data to identify polling stations with subpar or notably low
participation rates.
❖ Personnel Planning and Training: The DEMP outlines a comprehensive strategy for the recruitment,
training, welfare, and deployment of election personnel.
❖ It emphasises the necessity of establishing a robust database of poll personnel, categorising them by cadre
and group, and assessing their deployment requirements while devising strategies to bridge gaps in
personnel across various election roles.
❖ The plan incorporates training programs for district-level teams to enforce the Model Code of Conduct
(MCC) and provides comprehensive training for all election personnel to ensure they possess the requisite
skills and knowledge for their respective roles.

Suvidha Portal
❖ The Suvidha portal is a technological solution developed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to
ensure a level playing field upholding the democratic principles of free, fair, and transparent elections.
❖ The Suvidha Portal aims to streamline requests for permissions and facilities from political
parties and candidates during elections, transparently prioritising requests based on the First in First Out
principle.
❖ Political parties and candidates can easily request permission online through the Suvidha Portal, which
also offers offline options for inclusivity, supported by a robust IT platform managed by nodal officers for
efficient processing.
❖ Additionally, Suvidha's companion app allows applicants to track their requests' real-time status,
enhancing convenience and transparency.

Candidate Elected Unopposed

❖ BJP leader Mukesh Dalal was elected unopposed in the Surat Lok Sabha constituency after the rejection of
opposition candidates' nominations and the withdrawal of other nominees, resulting in the cancellation of
elections in the city on May 7.

8
❖ Procedure for Uncontested Elections: As per Section 53(3) of the Representation of the People Act,
1951, if the number of candidates remaining after the withdrawal of nominations is less than the number
of seats to be filled, the returning officer (RO) declares the remaining candidate(s) elected without the need
for polling.
❖ The provision allows for a candidate to be declared elected unopposed when no other candidates remain in
the race for a particular seat.
❖ Historical Context of Unopposed Victories: Since 1951, a total of 35 candidates have won Lok Sabha
elections without facing any contest, entering Parliament directly due to a lack of opposing candidates.
❖ The frequency of unopposed wins varied across different general election years, with peaks observed in
certain election cycles. For example, a maximum of seven candidates won uncontested in the 1957
general elections, demonstrating instances where opposition parties did not field candidates against
certain contenders.
❖ Introduction of NOTA: The NOTA option was introduced in 2013 following a Supreme Court verdict in
People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India in 2013 that allowed voters to exercise their right to reject
all candidates standing in an election.
❖ Distinguishing Rule 49-O and NOTA: Rule 49-O, an earlier provision, required voters to inform polling
officers of their decision not to vote, potentially compromising secrecy. NOTA allow voters to express
disapproval without revealing their choice to others.
❖ However, NOTA votes are not considered in determining the winner of an election. The candidate with the
highest valid votes is still declared the winner, regardless of the number of NOTA votes cast.