Elections

How elections take place in India for the parliament ?

In this PPT in find about the elections and various things about it.
 What is elections ?
Elections are formal processes where citizens of a country choose their
representatives or decide on important issues by casting their votes.

Purpose of elections
Elections ensure that governments are chosen by the people, making them
a crucial part of democratic societies.

Who can contest in elections ?

In India you can contest in elections with a political party or you can contest
in election without not being a part of a political party as an independent
contender. Your age will be twenty five years at least for contesting
elections.
What is a Political Party ?
A political party is an organized group of people who share similar political beliefs
and goals, and who work together to influence public policy by getting their
candidates elected to public office. Political parties play a crucial role in
representative democracies by offering voters a choice between different sets of
policies and ideologies. They typically have structures, leadership, and
mechanisms for mobilizing supporters, fundraising, and engaging in political
campaigns to achieve their objectives.

Functions of Political party

Political parties serve several important functions in
democratic societies:
1.Representation: They represent the interests and
viewpoints of different sections of society, acting as a
bridge between the people and the government. Parties
articulate and aggregate diverse opinions into coherent
policy platforms.
2.Formulation of Policies: Parties develop and propose
policies on various issues based on their ideological
beliefs and the needs of their constituents. This includes
drafting legislation, presenting alternative solutions to
societal problems, and debating policy priorities.

3.International Relations: Political parties may engage in

international diplomacy and cooperation through
alliances with foreign parties or participation in
international organizations. They contribute to shaping a
nation's foreign policy and global stance.

4.Accountability and Oversight: Parties act as watchdogs

over the government, holding it accountable for its
actions and decisions. Opposition parties scrutinize the
ruling party's policies and performance, providing checks
and balances.
What is the Political Campaigning ?
Political campaigning refers to the organized efforts and
activities undertaken by political candidates, parties, or
advocacy groups to influence public opinion, promote
their policies, mobilize voters, and ultimately win
elections or achieve their political goals. Campaigning is
a fundamental aspect of democratic processes and
typically involves a variety of strategies and tactics
aimed at reaching and persuading voters.
1.Communication Strategies: Campaigns utilize various
communication channels to convey their messages,
including speeches, debates, advertisements (TV, radio,
print, digital), social media, and direct mail.

2.Policy Promotion: Candidates and parties highlight

their policy proposals, positions on key issues, and their
vision for governance to attract voters and differentiate
themselves from their opponents.
3.Media Management: Campaigns manage their
relationship with the media to secure favorable
coverage, respond to news developments, and control
their narrative.

4.Fundraising: Campaigns raise funds to finance their

activities, including advertising, travel, staff salaries,
and other operational expenses.

5.Ethics and Regulations: Campaigns must adhere to

electoral laws and regulations governing campaign
finance, advertising standards, and the conduct of
electioneering activities.

6.Endorsements: Campaigns seek endorsements from

influential individuals, organizations, and community
leaders to build credibility and broaden their support
base.
What is the election commission of India
[ ECI ] ?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional
body established by the Constitution of India empowered
to conduct free and fair elections in India. The Election
commission is headed by a Chief Election Commissioner
and consists of two other Election Commissioners.

Functions and powers of the election

commission:

The Election Commission of India is a body

constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair
elections to the national. Election Commission operates
under power granted by the Article 324 of the
constitution and the subsequently enacted
representation of the People Act.
The state election commissions are responsible for
conducting local body elections in the respective states.
The election commission decides the dates for the filing
of nominations, voting, counting and announcement of
results.
Role of the Election Commission of India
in Elections:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays a crucial
role in ensuring free, fair, and democratic elections in
the country. Its primary responsibilities include:

Conducting Elections: The ECI is responsible for

conducting elections to the offices of the President, Vice
President, Lok Sabha (House of the People), Rajya Sabha
(Council of States), State Legislative Assemblies, and
State Legislative Councils (where applicable).
• Delimitation of Constituencies: The ECI periodically
reviews and redraws the boundaries of electoral
constituencies to ensure equitable representation
based on population changes.
• Electoral Rolls: The Commission prepares and
maintains electoral rolls (voter lists) and ensures their
accuracy. It oversees the registration of voters,
updates the rolls regularly, and removes duplicate or
ineligible entries.

• Registration of Political Parties: The ECI registers

political parties that meet certain criteria regarding
membership, organizational structure, and adherence
to electoral laws.

• Monitoring Election Campaigns: It monitors the

election campaign activities of candidates and
political parties to ensure compliance with the Model
Code of Conduct and other regulations.
• Media Coverage: The ECI regulates media coverage
during elections to ensure fair reporting and prevent
bias or undue influence.

• Election Observers: It appoints election observers to

oversee the conduct of elections in sensitive or
critical constituencies and report any irregularities.
• Implementation of Election Laws: The ECI implements
and enforces electoral laws, rules, and regulations to
uphold the integrity of the electoral process .

• Voter Education: The Commission conducts voter

awareness programs to educate citizens about their
voting rights, the electoral process, and the
importance of participation in elections.

• Dispute Resolution: The ECI adjudicates disputes

related to elections, including complaints of electoral
malpractices and violations of the Model Code of
Conduct.

Overall, the Election Commission of India plays a pivotal

role in maintaining the democratic fabric of the country
by ensuring transparent, impartial, and credible
electoral processes. It strives to uphold the principles of
free and fair elections, thereby strengthening India's
democratic institutions.
Role of the Supreme Court during
elections in India:
The Supreme Court of India plays a critical role during
elections primarily through its jurisdiction to adjudicate
disputes and ensure the enforcement of electoral laws.
• Dispute Resolution: The Supreme Court hears and
adjudicates disputes related to elections, including
challenges to election results, allegations of electoral
malpractices, violations of the Model Code of
Conduct, and issues related to the disqualification of
candidates .

• Interpretation of Electoral Laws: The Court interprets

and clarifies provisions of electoral laws, rules, and
regulations, ensuring consistency and adherence to
constitutional principles.
• Judicial Review: The Supreme Court exercises its
power of judicial review to examine the
constitutionality of electoral laws, decisions of the
Election Commission, and actions of other electoral
authorities. It ensures that electoral processes are in
accordance with constitutional provisions and
principles.

• Enforcement of Fundamental Rights: The Court

safeguards fundamental rights related to elections,
such as the right to vote, right to contest elections,
and right to free and fair elections. It intervenes to
protect these rights if they are violated or
threatened.
• Model Code of Conduct: The Supreme Court may issue
directives and guidelines regarding the
implementation of the Model Code of Conduct during
elections. It ensures that political parties and
candidates adhere to ethical standards and fair
practices.
• Emergency Situations: In cases of emergency or
extraordinary circumstances affecting elections, the
Supreme Court may issue urgent orders or directions
to safeguard democratic principles and ensure the
continuity of electoral processes.

• Model Code of Conduct: The Supreme Court may issue

directives and guidelines regarding the
implementation of the Model Code of Conduct during
elections. It ensures that political parties and
candidates adhere to ethical standards and fair
practices.
Overall, the Supreme Court of India acts as a guardian of
electoral integrity and democracy, providing judicial
oversight and ensuring that elections are conducted
fairly, transparently, and in accordance with
constitutional norms. Its decisions and interventions play
a crucial role in upholding the sanctity of the electoral
process and protecting the rights of citizens.
Model code of Conduct
The "Model Code of Conduct" (MCC) is a set of guidelines
and rules issued by the Election Commission of India
(ECI) that governs the conduct of political parties,
candidates, and governments during elections. It aims to
ensure free, fair, and transparent elections by
maintaining level playing field for all stakeholders.

Fair Campaigning: The MCC prohibits parties and

candidates from engaging in activities that may unfairly
influence voters, such as bribery, intimidation, or using
government resources for campaigning.

Public Meetings and Processions: Guidelines specify how

parties should conduct public meetings, rallies, and
processions to maintain law and order and avoid
disruption to public life.
Use of Government Machinery: Incumbent governments
are barred from using official resources for campaigning
purposes. This includes use of government vehicles,
buildings, and personnel for electoral activities .

Media Coverage: The MCC ensures fair access to media

for all candidates and parties. It prevents any candidate
or party from monopolizing media coverage through paid
news or biased reporting.

Code for Political Speeches: The code promotes ethical

standards in political speeches and advertising. It
discourages speeches that may create animosity between
different communities or incite violence.

Observer Oversight: During elections, the Election

Commission appoints observers to monitor compliance
with the Model Code of Conduct. These observers report
violations and ensure corrective action is taken.