Election and representation

What is democracy?

• System of government where ultimate power lies with the people

• A governance structure that enables the all-around development of individuals, as the people themselves are the real decision-makers and hold the authority.

Direct democracy

• allows people to participate directly in the affairs of the state.

• smaller states due to the manageable number of participants

indirect democracy

• participation through elected representatives who make decisions on behalf of the people.

• larger states with greater populations

What is Election

• method followed to choose representatives in indirect democracy is known as an election

• All major decisions are made by elected representatives on behalf of the citizens.

Adult Franchise?

right to vote for every adult individual, regardless of their caste, colour, region, religion, language, or sex.

• voting age was to be considered above the age of 21. In 1989, this was reduced by the constitution to the age of 18 years

territorial Representation?

• a system where a state is divided into various territorial constituencies.

• all the residents of each constituency vote to elect a single representative.

Functional Representation?

• a system where the entire area of a state is divided based on occupational considerations.

• each occupational group elects its own representatives.

• Women elect their own representatives.

features of India’s electoral system/Universal Suffrage

Every citizen of India aged 18 and above has the right to vote, ensuring inclusivity in the electoral process.

features of India’s electoral system/Secret Ballot

Voting is conducted by secret ballot, allowing individuals to vote freely without intimidation.

features of India’s electoral system/Independent Election Commission

An autonomous body, the Election Commission of India, oversees the electoral process, ensuring fair and free elections.

features of India’s electoral system/Multi-Party System

India operates a multi-party system, allowing various political parties to compete for power, providing voters with diverse options.

features of India’s electoral system/Reservation of Seats

The electoral system includes provisions for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women, promoting representation.

First Past the Post System

followed in India for the direct election to the ‘Lok Sabha’ and ‘State Legislative Assemblies'/’Vidhan Sabha’.

• Each constituency elects one representative.

• candidate who receives more votes than all other candidates is declared elected

• also called the Plurality System.

How many constituencies are in India?

543 

Proportional Representation

• a party gets the same proportion of seats as its proportion of votes.

• The candidate who secures a predetermined quota based on first-preference votes is declared elected.

• Israel, Netherlands

Why the FPTP system (First point the post system), was adopted in India?

1. India has single-member constituencies, making the use of the Proportional Representation (PR) system impractical.

2. The FPTP system is simpler and easier to understand, while the PR system is more complex. Given India's high illiteracy rate, FPTP provides voters with a clear and straightforward choice.

3. It allows for a choice of candidates in each constituency.

type of election system is followed in India

The Constitution prescribes a third and complex variation of the PR system for the election of President, Vice President, and for the election to the Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishads.

Election Commission

• a constitutional body established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution

Election Commission/ how many members?

• a multi-member body consisting of one Chief Election Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners

• All members of the commission have equal powers in overseeing electoral processes.

• Each hold a tenure of 6 yrs or until the age of 65

• Chief chairs meetings and is the spokesperson

• Appointed by the president

Election Commission/ What is it responsible for?

• responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of elections, ensuring their conduct in a fair and transparent manner.

five steps of the election process.

• Preparation of electoral constituencies and voters' lists.

• Notification and filing of nominations by candidates.

• Scrutiny of nominations, withdrawal of candidates, and finalization of the list.

• Preparation of ballot papers.

• Arrangement for the election, conducting the polls, counting of votes, and declaration of results

five defects of the Indian electoral system.

• The minority often holds power over the majority.

• The problem of impersonation during voting.

• Booth capturing, where elections are manipulated at polling stations.

• The use of black money to influence elections.

• Inadequate representation of all sections of society

Electrical reforms.

• Improved transparency in the electoral process.

• Stricter regulations on campaign financing to ensure fairness.

• Enhancements in the voter registration process.

• Utilisation of technology to streamline voting methods.

• Regulation of caste and/or religious appeals during campaigning

two main types of the PR system

1. Single Transferable Vote (STV)

2. List System
   In this system, minority social groups are represented in proportion to their population, and political parties receive seats in proportion to the votes they have secured. This approach ensures fairer representation for all groups in society.

functions of the Election Commissioner. / schedules

• determines the timings of the election and prepares the schedules of the election.

• notifies the schedule which includes filling up of nomination form, last date of scripting, last date of withdrawals, date of polling, date of counting, and declaration to the result.

functions of the Election Commissioner./ powers

• has the power to implement the model code of elections and it punishes those who try to violate it.

• accord recognition to political parties and allocates flaps, symbols to the candidates and political parties

• superintendence, direction and control of the electoral roll for election.

Independent Election Commission: Article 324: (1)

• The responsibility of conducting all elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, President, and Vice-President under the Indian Constitution lies with the Election Commission.

• President can only remove the CEC before the expiry of the term if both Houses of Parliament make such a recommendation with a special majority.

Right to Contest Election/ Age

• There are different minimum age requirements for contesting elections.

• For example, in order to stand for Lok Sabha or Assembly election, a candidate must be at least 25 years old.

Right to Contest Election/ Offence

• There is a legal provision that a person who has undergone imprisonment for two or more years for some offence is disqualified from contesting elections.

Right to Contest Election/ restrictions

• All citizens have the right to stand for election and become the representative of the people.

• There are no restrictions of Income, Education, Class or gender on the Right to Contest Elections.