Electoral Politics in
India
Elections are essential to democracy in India. This presentation will cover
the electoral process, its importance, and how elections are run. We'll
discuss what makes elections democratic, the system of constituencies,
voter registration, campaigning rules, and more. Understanding how
representatives are chosen is vital for all citizens participating in India's
vibrant democracy.
The Importance of Elections
Choose Representatives Regular Intervals
Elections allow people to Elections are held periodically,
select who will make laws and typically every 5 years, to give
form the government on their voters the chance to change
behalf. representatives.
Policy Influence
By voting for parties, citizens can influence the policies that will
guide governance and lawmaking.
Conditions for Democratic
Elections
1 Universal Suffrage 2 Free Competition
All adult citizens should Political parties and
have the right to vote and candidates must be free to
choose their own contest elections and offer
representatives. real choices to voters.
3 Regular Elections 4 Fair Process
Elections should be held at The electoral process must
fixed intervals, typically be conducted fairly, allowing
every few years. people to vote according to
their true preferences.
Benefits of Political Competition
Incentives for Parties Accountability Responsive Governance
Regular elections motivate political The threat of losing power in the next Even parties primarily motivated by
parties to address issues that matter to election encourages parties to serve power are compelled to meet voters'
voters in order to gain support. the people's interests while in office. needs to remain competitive.
India's Electoral System
1 General Elections
Elections for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha are held every 5
years across all constituencies.
2 By-Elections
Special elections held to fill vacancies in a single
constituency due to death or resignation of a member.
3 Local Elections
Panchayat and Municipal elections are also held to elect
local representatives.
Electoral Constituencies
Lok Sabha Vidhan Sabha
India is divided into 543 States are divided into
parliamentary constituencies, Assembly constituencies,
each electing one Member of electing Members of
Parliament (MP). Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Local Bodies
Villages and towns are divided into wards for electing members of
local governing bodies.
Reserved Constituencies
Scheduled Castes (SC)
84 Lok Sabha seats are reserved for SC candidates.
Scheduled Tribes (ST)
47 Lok Sabha seats are reserved for ST candidates.
Other Reservations
Some local body seats are reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC)
and women.
Voters' List and Identity Cards
Electoral Roll EPIC Cards
The official list of eligible voters is prepared before elections Voters are issued Election Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) to
and made publicly available. prevent fraud, though other IDs are also accepted.
Candidate Nomination
Process
1 Eligibility
Any registered voter aged 25 or above can contest
elections.
2 Nomination Form
Candidates must fill out a nomination form and pay a
security deposit.
3 Legal Declaration
Candidates must disclose criminal cases, assets,
liabilities, and educational qualifications.
Election Campaigns
1 Campaign Period 2 Voter Outreach
Campaigns last for two Candidates contact voters,
weeks between the address meetings, and
announcement of mobilize supporters during
candidates and polling day. this time.
3 Campaign Slogans
Parties use catchy slogans to appeal to voters, such as "Save
Democracy" or "Land to the Tiller".
Campaign Regulations
Prohibited Actions Spending Limits Model Code of Conduct
Candidates cannot bribe or Candidates are limited to spending Political parties agree to additional
threaten voters, appeal based on ₹25 lakh for Lok Sabha and ₹10 lakh rules, such as not using places of
caste or religion, or use government for Assembly elections per worship for propaganda or making
resources for campaigning. constituency. policy decisions during campaigns.
Polling Process
1 Voter Identification
Voters go to their assigned polling booth where officials
verify their identity.
2 Marking
A mark is applied to the voter's finger to prevent multiple
voting.
3 Casting Vote
Voters use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to cast
their vote for their chosen candidate.
Vote Counting and Results
Secure Storage
1 EVMs are sealed and stored securely after polling ends.
Counting Day
2 EVMs are opened and votes for each candidate are tallied.
Winner Declaration
3 The candidate with the highest number of votes in a
constituency is declared elected.
Independent Election
Commission
Appointment Powers
The Chief Election The EC has wide-ranging
Commissioner is appointed by powers to conduct and control
the President of India. all aspects of elections.
Code Enforcement Government Oversight
The EC implements and During elections, government
enforces the Model Code of officers on election duty work
Conduct during elections. under EC control, not the
government.
Popular Participation in Elections
Voter Turnout Civic Engagement Increasing Interest
India sees high participation, with People view elections as a way to Voter interest in election-related
underprivileged groups often voting in influence policies and pressure parties activities has grown over the years.
larger proportions than the wealthy. to adopt favorable programs.
Acceptance of Election
Outcomes
1 Power Transitions 2 Incumbent Turnover
Ruling parties in India About half of sitting MPs
regularly lose elections at and MLAs lose their seats in
both national and state elections.
levels.
3 Money and Crime 4 Peaceful Acceptance
Candidates known for vote- Barring rare exceptions,
buying or criminal election results are
connections often lose accepted as the people's
despite their resources. verdict by defeated parties.
Challenges to Free and Fair
Elections
Money Power Criminal Influence
Wealthy candidates and parties Candidates with criminal
have an unfair advantage over connections sometimes push out
smaller competitors. other contenders.
Dynastic Politics Limited Choice
Major parties often distribute Major parties can be quite similar,
tickets to relatives from political offering little real choice to voters.
families.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
EVM Design Voting Process Security Measures
EVMs display candidate names, party Voters simply press the button next to EVMs are sealed and stored securely to
symbols, and have buttons for voters to their preferred candidate to cast their prevent tampering between voting and
select their choice. vote. counting.
Role of Political Parties
Candidate Selection Policy Formulation Campaign Organization
Parties choose candidates to contest Parties develop manifestos and policy Parties mobilize supporters, organize
elections in different constituencies. platforms to appeal to voters. rallies, and conduct outreach to voters.
Voter Awareness Initiatives
Education Campaigns
1 The Election Commission conducts programs to inform
voters about the electoral process.
Media Outreach
2 TV, radio, and social media are used to spread awareness
about voting rights and procedures.
Grassroots Efforts
3 NGOs and civil society groups work to increase voter
participation, especially among marginalized communities.
Role of Media in Elections
Information Dissemination Watchdog Function
Media outlets provide news and analysis about Journalists investigate and report on electoral
candidates, parties, and election issues. malpractices and violations of the Model Code of
Conduct.
Exit Polls Result Coverage
Media conducts and reports on exit polls, though with Extensive coverage of vote counting and result
restrictions during the actual voting period. declaration keeps the public informed.
Election Funding and
Expenditure
1 Party Funding
Political parties receive donations from supporters and
can now accept digital payments.
2 Candidate Expenses
Candidates must manage their campaign expenses within
the prescribed limits.
3 Transparency Measures
Parties and candidates are required to submit detailed
accounts of their election expenditure.
Election Observers
Monitoring Reporting Intervention
Election Commission appoints Observers provide regular reports on They can recommend action to address
observers to monitor the conduct of the electoral process and any violations of electoral rules and
elections in different areas. irregularities. procedures.
Postal Voting
1 Eligible Voters 2 Process
Service voters, government Eligible voters receive ballots
employees on election duty, by mail, which they return
and some senior citizens can after marking their choice.
use postal ballots.
3 Counting
Postal votes are counted along with regular votes on the day of
result declaration.
NOTA (None of the Above)
Option Introduction Voting Process
NOTA was introduced in 2013 to NOTA appears as an option on
allow voters to reject all EVMs and ballot papers.
candidates.
Impact
While NOTA votes are counted, they do not affect the result of the
election.
Election Petitions and Disputes
Filing Petitions Judgment
Candidates or voters can file petitions challenging The court may uphold the result, order a recount, or
election results in High Courts. declare the election void.
1 2 3
Court Hearings
The court examines evidence and hears arguments from
both sides.
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
Paper Trail Verification Audit
VVPAT machines print a paper slip Voters can verify their vote was VVPAT slips from randomly selected
showing the voter's choice, visible for a correctly recorded before the slip drops booths are counted to verify EVM
few seconds. into a sealed box. results.
Election Commission's
Technological Initiatives
Mobile Apps
Apps for voter registration, finding polling booths, and accessing
election information.
Digital Database
Computerized electoral rolls and candidate information systems.
Webcasting
Live streaming from select polling stations to enhance transparency.
Women's Participation in Elections
Increasing Turnout Reserved Seats Awareness Campaigns
Female voter turnout has been steadily Many local body seats are reserved for Special initiatives to encourage
increasing in recent elections. women to ensure representation. women's participation and address
gender-specific barriers.
Future of Electoral Politics in
India
1 Digital Voting 2 AI and Big Data
Exploring secure online Potential use of artificial
voting options for certain intelligence for voter list
categories of voters. management and detecting
malpractices.
3 Electoral Reforms 4 Increased
Ongoing discussions on Participation
reforms like simultaneous Efforts to further increase
elections and campaign voter turnout and
finance regulations. engagement, especially
among youth.
Thankyou
