ELECTORAL POLITICS

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Why Elections?

• Representation: Elections provide a mechanism for citizens to choose representatives who will voice their concerns and needs in government.
• Accountability: Elected officials are accountable to the people who vote for them, ensuring that they act in the best interests of their constituents.
• Peaceful Power Transfer: Elections allow for the peaceful transfer of power from one government to another, preventing political turmoil and instability.
• Public Participation: They encourage citizen engagement in the political process, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and participation.
• Decision-Making: Elections determine the leaders and policies that guide a nation’s decision-making, affecting various aspects of society.
• Checks and Balances: They provide a system of checks and balances, preventing any single entity from amassing too much power.
• Representation of Diverse Views: Elections ensure that diverse perspectives and opinions are considered in the governance process.
• Legitimacy: Elected governments gain legitimacy as they derive their authority from the consent of the governed.
• Human Rights: Elections are often associated with the protection of human rights and freedoms, as they can lead to the adoption of laws that safeguard these rights.
• Democratic Values: Elections are a cornerstone of democratic values, promoting fairness, equality, and the rule of law.

What Makes Election Democratic?

• Universal Suffrage: Every individual should have the right to choose their representative, promoting inclusivity.
• Competitive Elections: Parties and candidates must offer genuine choices, fostering a vibrant democracy.
• Regular Elections: Holding elections periodically ensures accountability and responsiveness to changing needs.
• Popular Choice: The candidate preferred by the majority should win, reflecting the will of the people.
• Free and Fair Process: Elections should be conducted impartially, allowing people to vote according to their true preferences.

Is Political Competition Good?

• Yes, Political Competition is Good:
  • Encourages Listening: When political parties compete, they want to win. To do that, they need to pay attention to what people want. This means they are more likely to listen to the issues and problems that matter to you and me.
  • Holds Leaders Accountable: Imagine if a party promises to improve schools but doesn’t do it. In a competitive system, they risk losing the next election because people can vote them out. This keeps leaders on their toes and makes them work harder to keep their promises.
  • Forces Them to Serve Us: Even if a party just wants power, they can only get it if we vote for them. So, they have to do things that benefit us to get our votes. This means they end up doing things to serve the people, whether they like it or not.

System of Election In India

• Regular General Elections: General Elections are held every five years for both the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly). These elections involve all constituencies and determine the composition of these legislative bodies.
• Term Limits: The term of elected representatives in India, whether at the national or state level, lasts for five years. At the end of this period, a new election is conducted.
• Concurrent Constituency Elections: General Elections in India occur simultaneously in all constituencies, ensuring a unified and synchronized process. This means that voters across the country or a state participate in the election on the same day or within a few days.
• By-Elections: In cases where a seat in the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha becomes vacant due to the death or resignation of a member, a by-election is held only for that specific constituency to fill the vacancy.

What are Electoral Constituencies?

• Electoral constituencies are specific areas or regions within a country that are created for the purpose of holding elections.
• Lok Sabha Constituencies
  • In India, for Lok Sabha elections (national level), the country is divided into 543 constituencies.
  • Each of these constituencies elects one representative known as a Member of Parliament (MP).
• Assembly Constituencies:
  • Within each state of India, there are specific Assembly constituencies.
  • These constituencies elect members known as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
  • Each Parliamentary constituency comprises several assembly constituencies.
• Local Elections:
  • Similar principles apply to local elections in villages and towns.
  • These areas are divided into smaller units called ‘wards’ or constituencies.
  • Each ward elects one member to represent the local community.
  • Sometimes, these constituencies are referred to as ‘seats’ in the assembly.
• Representation:
  • In all these types of elections, voters in a particular constituency choose one representative to speak for their interests and concerns.
• Numbers Matter:
  • The total number of constituencies in each type of election determines the overall representation in the respective legislative body.

Reserved Constituencies

• A reserved constituency is like a special area where only specific groups of people can run for election.
• Similarly, if it’s reserved for ST, only someone from the Scheduled Tribe community can contest the election in that area.
• In India, some constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• This ensures that these communities have a fair chance to be represented in the government.
• For example, if a constituency is reserved for SC, only someone from the Scheduled Caste community can run for election there.
• Additionally, in many places, seats in local bodies are also reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and women candidates, making sure their voices are heard in local decision-making.
• What is the Voter’s List?
  • The Voter’s List, officially known as the Electoral Roll, is a list of eligible voters prepared before democratic elections.
• Government Responsibility:
  • It’s the government’s responsibility to create and maintain this list, ensuring that all eligible voters are included.
• Identification for Voting:
  • Voters are required to carry an Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) when voting to prevent impersonation.
  • While EPIC is one option, voters can also use other identity proofs, such as a ration card or a driving license.
• Ensuring Fair Elections:
  • The Voter’s List helps ensure that only eligible voters can participate in elections, preventing fraudulent voting.
• Access to All:
  • The list is made available to the public so that everyone can check if their name is included and make necessary corrections if required.
• Important for Democracy:
  • Having an accurate and up-to-date Voter’s List is essential for the fairness and integrity of democratic elections.
• Voter Eligibility: Anyone who is eligible to vote can also become a candidate in elections.
• Minimum Age: To stand as a candidate, an individual must be at least 25 years old.
• Nomination Form and Security Deposit:
  • Prospective candidates are required to fill out a ‘nomination form’ to officially enter the election.
  • They are also asked to submit a ‘security deposit,’ which is a sum of money held as a guarantee of the candidate’s sincere participation in the election.
• Legal Declaration:
  • Candidates must make a legal declaration providing detailed information on three key aspects:
    • Serious criminal cases pending against them.
    • Assets and liabilities of themselves and their family.
    • Educational qualifications held by the candidate.
• Transparency and Public Access:
  • All the information provided by candidates in their nomination forms, including criminal cases, financial details, and educational qualifications, is made accessible to the public.
  • This transparency allows voters to make informed decisions based on the information provided by the candidates.

Election Campaigns

• Election campaigns aim to discuss and determine better representatives and governing parties.
• In India, campaigns run for two weeks between candidate lists and polling.
• Candidates contact voters, political leaders hold meetings, and parties mobilize supporters.

Election Laws

• Indian election laws prohibit bribery, threats, and appeals based on caste or religion.
• Government resources cannot be used for campaigns.
• Spending limits: 25 lakhs for Lok Sabha and 10 lakhs for Assembly elections.
• Violations may lead to election rejection by the court.

Model Code of Conduct

• All political parties follow a Model Code of Conduct:
• No use of places of worship for propaganda.
• No use of government resources, vehicles, or officials.
• No significant policy decisions or promises during elections.

Polling and Counting

• Election day is when voters cast their votes.
• Voting process:
  • Voters go to a nearby polling booth.
  • Election officials mark voters, allowing them to vote.
  • Agents of candidates ensure fair voting.
  • Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are commonly used for voting.
• EVMs show candidate names and symbols; voters press buttons to cast votes.
• After polling, EVMs are sealed and taken to a secure location.
• Later, EVMs are opened, and votes are counted.
• The candidate with the most votes in a constituency is declared the winner.

What Makes Indian Elections Democratic

• Independent Election Commission:
  • Elections in India are conducted by the independent Election Commission (EC).
  • The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President of India.
• The EC possesses significant powers:
  • It makes decisions on all aspects of election conduct, from announcing elections to declaring results.
  • It enforces the Code of Conduct and penalizes candidates or parties for violations.
  • During elections, the EC can direct the government to follow specific guidelines, preventing misuse of governmental power.
  • Government officers on election duty operate under the control of the EC, not the government.
  • The independence and authority of the Election Commission play a crucial role in upholding the democratic process in India, ensuring fair and impartial elections.

Popular Participation

• Voter turnout measures the level of people’s participation in elections, indicating the percentage of eligible voters who cast their votes.
• In India, a higher voter turnout is observed among the poor, illiterate, and underprivileged, demonstrating their active involvement in the electoral process.
• Common people believe that elections enable them to exert pressure on political parties to adopt policies favorable to their interests.
• Over the years, there has been a growing interest among voters in election-related activities, highlighting their engagement in the democratic process.

Acceptance of Election Outcome

• The outcome of an election serves as a test of the freedom and fairness of the electoral process.
• In India, ruling parties often lose elections, both nationally and at the state level.
• Unlike the United States, where incumbent representatives rarely lose, approximately half of sitting MPs or MLAs in India do not win re-election.
• Candidates known for spending large sums to influence voters or having criminal connections often face defeat.
• Except for rare disputed elections, electoral outcomes are typically accepted as the “people’s verdict” by the defeated parties.

Challenges to Free and Fair Elections

• Financial Advantage
  • Candidates and parties with substantial financial resources have an unfair advantage over smaller, less-funded parties.
• Candidates with Criminal Ties
  • Some candidates with criminal connections have managed to secure nominations from major parties, potentially limiting the choices for voters.
• Nepotism and Family Ties
  • In some cases, political tickets are distributed to relatives within the same families, reducing opportunities for other candidates.
• Limited Choice
  • Major political parties in India often exhibit similarities in their policies and practices, offering limited choice to ordinary citizens.
• Disadvantage for Smaller Parties
  • Smaller parties and independent candidates face significant disadvantages compared to larger, well-established political parties