CH 3 ELECTORAL POLITICS

• Elections take place regularly in any democracy to choose people's representatives
• There are more than 100 countries in the world where elections take place
• In an election, voters can choose who will make laws, form the government, and decide on policies
• Minimum conditions of a democratic election include:

  • Everyone should be able to choose their own representative
  • Parties and candidates should be free to contest elections and offer real choices to voters
  • Elections must be held regularly after every few years
  • The candidate preferred by the people should get elected
  • Elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner
• Political competition in elections provides incentives to political parties and leaders
• Political parties know that raising issues important to people can increase their chances of winning elections
• If a political party is motivated only by the desire to be in power, it will still be forced to serve the people
• Elections in India are held in Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha regularly after every five years
• India is divided into different electoral constituencies for elections
• Some constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Castes [SC] and Scheduled Tribes [ST]
• In a democratic election, the list of eligible voters is prepared and given to everyone, known as the Electoral Roll or Voters' List
• Anyone who can be a voter can become a candidate in elections, with a minimum age requirement of 25 years
• Election campaigns are conducted for a two-week period before polling day
• No party or candidate can bribe or threaten voters, appeal in the name of caste or religion, or use government resources for campaigns
• The Election Commission in India is independent and has wide powers to ensure fair elections
• People's participation in elections is measured by voter turnout figures
• In India, the poor, illiterate, and underprivileged people vote in larger proportion compared to the rich and privileged sections
• The acceptance of election outcomes is a final test of the freedom and fairness of elections
• Challenges to free and fair elections in India include:

  • Candidates and parties with a lot of money having an unfair advantage
  • Candidates with criminal connections pushing others out of the race
  • Limited choice for ordinary citizens as major parties are similar in policies and practice
  • Smaller parties and independent candidates facing disadvantages compared to bigger parties