Electoral Politics
1. Why Elections?
• Elections are essential in a democracy as they allow citizens to choose their
representatives and decide who will make laws, govern, and oversee the
country's administration.
• It’s a mechanism for people to express their preferences for policies and
leadership.
• Need for Elections:
• They allow citizens to choose who will form the government.
• Elections provide a choice and a voice to the public, helping maintain
democracy.
• They act as a check on power, enabling accountability.
2. What Makes an Election Democratic?
• Free and Fair Elections: For elections to be democratic, they must be free
from undue influence and allow fair competition.
• Minimum Conditions for Democratic Elections:
• All citizens should have the right to vote (universal adult franchise).
• Each vote should carry equal value.
• There must be real choices for the voters, meaning more than one
political party or candidate.
• The elections should be held at regular intervals to keep leaders
accountable.
• Independent institutions must ensure impartiality.
• Types of Elections
• General Elections
• Purpose: Held to elect members of the national or federal
legislature.
• Frequency: Usually conducted every five years in most
parliamentary democracies (e.g., India, the United Kingdom) or
every four years in the case of presidential systems (e.g., the
United States).
• Examples: Lok Sabha elections in India, Presidential elections in
the U.S., and Parliamentary elections in the UK.
• By-Elections (Special Elections)
• Purpose: Conducted to fill a vacant seat due to resignation,
death, or removal of an office-holder before the term ends.
• Frequency: As needed, based on the vacancy.
• Example: By-elections for a Member of Parliament seat in India
if the current MP resigns or passes away.
3. Is it Good to Have Political Competition?
• Advantages:
• Competition among parties gives voters choices, leading to better
representation of public interests.
• It encourages politicians to work for the welfare of the people to
secure votes.
• Disadvantages:
• Political competition can lead to divisiveness, polarizing communities
on issues like caste, religion, and language.
• Politicians might make short-term promises to win votes, which could
lead to populism and compromise on long-term planning.
4. What is Our System of Elections?
• Constituencies:
• India is divided into different areas known as constituencies for
elections. Each constituency elects one representative.
• For example, in Lok Sabha (the lower house of India's Parliament),
India is divided into 543 constituencies, each electing one Member of
Parliament (MP).
• Reserved Constituencies:
• To ensure fair representation, certain seats are reserved for Scheduled
Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• This system provides equal opportunities and ensures marginalized
communities have a voice in governance.
5. What Makes Elections in India Democratic?
• Independent Election Commission (EC):
• The Election Commission of India is an independent and autonomous
body responsible for conducting free and fair elections.
• The EC oversees all aspects of elections, from the announcement of
dates to the declaration of results.
• Functions of the Election Commission:
• Deciding the election schedule.
• Supervising and ensuring a fair nomination process for candidates.
• Monitoring and controlling the election campaign to prevent misuse
of resources.
• Ensuring impartiality and fairness during polling.
• Declaring the results.
• Model Code of Conduct:
• A set of guidelines that political parties and candidates must follow
during elections to ensure no unfair practices occur.
6. How are Elections Held?
• Formation of constituencies.
• Preparation of Voters’ list.
• Declaration of date of Polling.
• Filling of Nominations.
• Scrutiny of Nominations.
• Withdrawal of Nominations.
• Election Campaign.
• Polling (Election Day)
• Re – Polling ( If required)
• Counting of Votes and Declaration of Results.
7. What Makes Elections in India Inclusive?
• Universal Adult Franchise:
• Every Indian citizen aged 18 and above has the right to vote, regardless
of caste, religion, gender, or economic status.
• Regular Elections:
• Elections are held at regular intervals (for example, Lok Sabha
elections every five years), ensuring accountability.
• Wide Range of Choices:
• With many political parties and independent candidates, voters can
choose from a range of ideologies and policies.
8. Challenges to Free and Fair Elections
• Muscle Power: Use of force or intimidation, especially in certain areas, can
influence voters.
• Money Power: Wealthy candidates or parties may try to buy votes,
compromising fairness.
• Criminalization of Politics: Some candidates with criminal backgrounds may
contest elections, raising concerns about governance.
• Manipulation of Voters: Certain political campaigns may try to exploit
emotional or social issues to influence votes unethically.
9. Reforms for Better Elections
• Limiting Election Expenditure: Controlling spending during campaigns can
prevent money power from dominating elections.
• Strict Code of Conduct: Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct helps in
minimizing unethical practices.
• Awareness Campaigns: Educating voters on their rights and encouraging
informed voting choices strengthens the electoral process.
• Transparency and Accountability: Making funding sources public and
increasing transparency in the candidate selection process can improve
trust.
10. Some of the successful slogans given by different political parties in various
elections are :-
• Indira Gandhi – Garibi Hatao (Remove poverty )
• Jayaprakash Narayan – Save Democracy
• Left Front – Land to the Tiller
• N. T. Rama Rao – Protect the Self-Respect of the Telugus
