Elections are a Key Feature of Democracy

1. Elections happen regularly in all democratic countries.
2. Over 100 countries worldwide hold elections to let people choose their representatives.
3. Surprisingly, some non-democratic countries also conduct elections, though these may not be free or fair.

Why Direct Democracy is Not Practical

1. Everyone cannot sit together and decide every issue.
2. People don’t have the time, knowledge, or capacity to participate in all decisions.
3. Therefore, most democratic countries follow representative democracy, where leaders are chosen to make decisions on behalf of the people.

Can We Choose Leaders Without Elections?

1. Imagine a system where leaders are selected based on:
• Age and experience
• Education or knowledge
2. Even if the people agree on who is more educated or experienced, this still doesn’t tell us whether the people actually like those leaders. Such a system doesn’t give people any control over who governs them or how they are governed.

Why Elections Are Essential in a Representative Democracy

1. Elections are a mechanism through which people choose their representatives at regular intervals.
2. They can change those representatives if they are not satisfied.
3. This is how democracy ensures accountability and public control over those in power. Without elections, there would be no way to know:
• Whether people like their representatives
• Whether those in power are ruling according to public will
• How to remove unpopular or irresponsible leaders

What Do People Choose in an Election?

During an election, voters make three major choices:

1. They can choose who will make laws for them (i.e., their representatives in the legislature)
2. They can choose who will form the government and take key decisions
3. They can choose the political party whose policies and vision will guide law-making and governance

Do All Elections Mean Democracy?

Elections happen in all democratic countries, but many non-democratic countries also conduct elections. However, not all elections are democratic. This raises an important question: How do we know whether an election is truly democratic or not?

We briefly discussed this in Chapter 1, where we saw examples of countries that hold elections but do not meet democratic standards.

Minimum Conditions for a Democratic Election

1. Universal and Equal Voting Rights

• Everyone should be able to vote.
• Every adult citizen should have one vote, and each vote must carry equal value.
• No one should be denied the right to vote based on caste, religion, gender, or wealth.

2. Real Choice of Candidates and Parties

• Voters should have something meaningful to choose from.
• There must be freedom for parties and candidates to contest elections.
• Political competition must offer genuine alternatives to the people.

3. Regular Elections

• Elections should be held at fixed intervals, not randomly.
• People must have a chance to re-evaluate and change their representatives every few years.

4. People’s Choice Must Win

• The candidate preferred by the majority of people should be declared the winner.
• The result must reflect the will of the voters.

5. Free and Fair Process

• The election should be conducted impartially and peacefully.
• People must be free to vote as they truly wish, without fear, force, or cheating.

Are These Conditions Always Followed?

These five points may seem simple, but in many countries they are not followed. Some governments manipulate elections, ban opposition, or create fear to influence the outcome. In this chapter, we will check if India’s elections meet these democratic conditions.

How Are Elections Held in India?

1. Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) elections are held regularly after every five years.
2. After five years, the term of all the elected representatives comes to an end. The Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha stands ‘dissolved’.
3. Elections are held in all constituencies at the same time, either on the same day or within a few days. This is called a general election.
4. Sometimes election is held only for one constituency to fill the vacancy caused by death or resignation of a member. This is called a by-election.

What is an Electoral Constituency?

1. In India, we follow an area-based system of representation.
2. The country is divided into different geographical areas for conducting elections. These areas are called electoral constituencies.
3. The voters in each constituency elect one representative.

Constituencies in Lok Sabha Elections

1. The entire country is divided into 543 Lok Sabha constituencies.
2. From each constituency, one Member of Parliament (MP) is elected. Thus, the Lok Sabha has 543 MPs, each representing one constituency.

Why Equal Population Matters

1. A major feature of democratic elections is that every vote should carry equal value.
2. To ensure this, the Constitution mandates that each constituency must have a roughly equal population.

Assembly Constituencies in States

1. Every state is divided into a specific number of Assembly constituencies.
2. From each Assembly constituency, one Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) is elected.
3. Each Parliamentary constituency contains several Assembly constituencies.

Constituencies at the Local Level

1. In Panchayat and Municipal elections, each village or town is divided into several ‘wards’.
2. These wards are similar to constituencies, and each ward elects one member to the local body.

What Does ‘Winning Seats’ Mean?

1. Sometimes, constituencies are referred to as ‘seats’, because each constituency equals one seat in the legislative body.
2. For example: if a party wins 60 seats in Haryana, it means the party’s candidates won in 60 different Assembly constituencies.
3. Thus, that party will have 60 MLAs in the state assembly.

Need for Reservation in Elections

1. The Indian Constitution gives every citizen the right to:
• Elect their representative.
• Be elected as a representative themselves.
2. However, the Constitution makers were concerned that weaker sections of society might:
• Not have enough resources, education, or social influence.
• Face challenges while competing against powerful candidates.
3. Without support, these groups might not get elected — leading to poor representation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
4. This would weaken Indian democracy by making it less representative and inclusive.

What Are Reserved Constituencies?

1. To ensure fair representation, the Constitution introduced reserved constituencies.
2. These are constituencies where only candidates from certain weaker sections can contest.
3. There are two main types:
   • SC-reserved constituencies: Only candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC) can contest.
   • ST-reserved constituencies: Only candidates from Scheduled Tribes (ST) can contest.

Current Number of Reserved Seats (as of 26 January 2019)

Note: These numbers are based on the population share of these communities to ensure fair representation.

Reservation Extended to Local Bodies

1. The reservation system was later extended to local bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities.
2. Other Backward Classes (OBCs) also get reservations in many states at the local level.
3. The proportion of reserved seats for OBCs varies from state to state.
4. One-third of all seats in rural and urban local bodies are reserved for women candidates.

Preparation of the Voters’ List

1. Once the constituencies are decided, the next step is to decide who can and who cannot vote.
2. This decision cannot be left to anyone till the last day.
3. In a democratic election, the list of eligible voters is prepared well before the election and shared with everyone.
4. This list is officially called the Electoral Roll and is commonly known as the Voters’ List.

Why is the Voters’ List Important?

1. This step is linked to the first condition of a democratic election: everyone should get an equal opportunity to choose representatives.
2. This is based on the principle of universal adult franchise.
3. In practice, it means that:
   • Everyone should have one vote.
   • Each vote should have equal value.
   • No one should be denied the right to vote without a good reason.
4. People may differ in wealth, education, or character, but all are human beings with their own needs and views.
5. Therefore, all deserve an equal say in decisions that affect them.

Who Can Vote in India?

1. All Indian citizens aged 18 years and above can vote in an election.
2. Voting rights are given regardless of caste, religion, or gender.
3. Some criminals and persons with unsound mind can be denied voting rights, but only in rare cases.

Responsibility of the Government

1. The government is responsible for preparing and maintaining the voters’ list.
2. Names of new eligible voters (those turning 18) are added to the list.
3. Names of people who have moved out or passed away are deleted.
4. A complete revision of the list is done every five years.

Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC)

1. Recently, the Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) system was introduced.
2. The government issues this card to every person on the voters’ list.
3. Voters are expected to carry this card while voting to prevent impersonation.
4. However, this card is not compulsory.
5. Other valid ID proofs like the ration card or driving licence can also be used for voting.

Who Can Contest Elections?

1. In a democratic election, it is essential that people have a real choice among candidates.
2. Therefore, the system must allow minimum restrictions on who can contest.
3. Any person who is eligible to vote can also contest elections, with the following exceptions:
4. The minimum age for contesting is 25 years, while it is 18 years for voting.
5. There are certain restrictions on criminals, but these apply only in rare and extreme cases.

Role of Political Parties and Party Tickets

1. Political parties nominate candidates who receive the party symbol and official party support.
2. This nomination by a political party is often referred to as a party ticket.

Nomination Process

1. Any individual who wishes to contest an election must:
• Fill a nomination form.
• Submit a security deposit (a fixed amount of money).

Mandatory Legal Declarations (as per Supreme Court directive)

1. As per recent changes, every candidate is required to make a legal declaration, which must include:
• Serious criminal cases pending against the candidate.
• Details of assets and liabilities of the candidate and their family.
• Educational qualifications of the candidate.
2. This declaration is made public to help voters make informed choices.

What Happens on Election Day?

1. The final stage of an election is the day when voters cast or ‘poll’ their vote, known as the election day.
2. Every citizen whose name is listed on the voters’ list is allowed to vote.
3. Voting takes place at a polling booth, usually set up in a local school or government office near the voter's residence.
4. At the polling booth:
   • Election officials identify the voter, verify her name on the list, and
   • Put an ink mark on her finger as proof of voting.
   • The voter is then allowed to cast her vote.
5. An agent from each candidate is permitted to sit inside the polling booth.
6. These agents monitor the process to ensure that voting is conducted in a free and fair manner.

From Ballot Paper to Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)

1. Earlier, voters cast their vote by putting a stamp on a ballot paper.
2. A ballot paper is a printed sheet listing:
   • The names of all contesting candidates,
   • Their political party names, and
   • Their party symbols.
3. Now, voting is done using an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).
4. The EVM displays:
   • The names of the candidates, and
   • Their party symbols.
5. Even independent candidates (not from any political party) are given distinct symbols by the Election Commission.
6. The voter casts her vote by pressing the button next to the name of the candidate she chooses.

After Polling is Completed

1. Once voting is over, all EVMs are sealed and stored securely.
2. After a few days, on a pre-decided date, the EVMs from each constituency are opened.
3. The votes recorded for each candidate are counted carefully.
4. Agents of all the contesting candidates are present during counting to ensure transparency and fairness.
5. The candidate who gets the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared elected.

Declaration of Results and Formation of Government

1. In general elections, the counting of votes in all constituencies takes place on the same day.
2. The process is covered by television channels, radio, and newspapers.
3. Within a few hours, the results are announced, and it becomes clear which party or alliance will form the next government.

Allegations About Electoral Malpractices

1. Reports about unfair election practices often appear in newspapers and on television.
2. These reports usually highlight:
   • Inclusion of false names and exclusion of genuine names in the voters’ list.
   • Misuse of government resources and officials by the ruling party.
   • Excessive use of money by wealthy candidates and big political parties.
   • Intimidation of voters and rigging on the polling day.

Are These Allegations True?

1. Yes, many of these allegations are correct.
2. Such malpractices do occur and may make people feel disappointed with the election process.
3. However, they are not widespread enough to undermine the entire purpose of holding elections.

A Critical Question to Consider

1. The real test of democracy is to ask:
2. Can a party come to power not through popular support but by using electoral malpractices?
3. This is a vital and central question, which must be explored further to understand the strength of India’s democratic process.

Who Conducts Elections in India?

1. One important way to check if elections are fair is to examine who conducts them.
2. In India, elections are conducted by an independent and powerful body known as the Election Commission (EC).
3. The EC enjoys a high level of independence, similar to the judiciary.

Appointment and Security of the CEC

1. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President of India.
2. After appointment, the CEC is not answerable to the President or the government.
3. Even if the ruling party disagrees with the EC’s decisions, it is virtually impossible to remove the CEC.

Powers of the Election Commission

The Election Commission of India has wide-ranging powers, which very few commissions around the world enjoy:

1. It takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections, from announcement to declaration of results.
2. It implements the Code of Conduct and punishes any candidate or party that violates it.
3. During elections, the EC can order the government to follow certain guidelines to prevent misuse of power for election gains.
4. The EC can also transfer government officials to ensure fair conduct.
5. Government officers on election duty work under the EC, not under the government.

The EC in Recent Years

1. In the last 25 years, the EC has started to exercise and even expand its powers actively.
2. It has become common for the EC to reprimand the government or administration for their failures.
3. If the EC finds that polling was not fair in certain booths or constituencies, it can order a repoll.
4. Although ruling parties may not like the EC’s actions, they must obey.
5. Such authority would not be possible if the Election Commission was not truly independent and powerful.

How Do We Judge the Quality of Elections?

1. One important way to assess the quality of the election process is to observe whether people participate in it with interest and enthusiasm.
2. If elections are not free and fair, people will eventually stop participating in them.

Key Observations from India’s Electoral Participation

1. Voter Turnout as an Indicator

• People’s participation in elections is often measured by voter turnout figures.
• Turnout indicates the percentage of eligible voters who actually cast their vote.
• In India, the turnout has either remained stable or has increased over time.
• In contrast, Europe and North America have seen a decline in voter turnout over the last fifty years.

2. Higher Participation Among the Poor

• In India, the poor, illiterate, and underprivileged people participate in elections in larger numbers than the rich and privileged.
• This trend is opposite to what is seen in many Western democracies.
• For example, in the United States, poor people, African Americans, and Hispanics vote much less than rich and white people.

3. Importance of Elections for Common Citizens

• Common people in India attach great importance to elections.
• They believe that elections give them the power to pressure political parties to adopt policies and programmes that benefit them.
• They also feel that their vote matters in deciding how the country is governed.

4. Rising Interest in Election-Related Activities

• Over the years, the interest of voters in election-related activities has significantly increased.
• During the 2004 elections, more than one-third of voters participated in campaign-related activities.
• More than half the people identified themselves as being close to a political party.
• One out of every seven voters was a member of a political party.

Why is Outcome an Important Test?

1. One final test of the freedom and fairness of an election lies in its outcome.
2. If elections are not free or fair, the outcome always favours the powerful.
3. In such cases, the ruling parties do not lose elections, and the losing party often refuses to accept the result of a rigged election.

What Does India’s Electoral Outcome Show?

1.Frequent Losses by Ruling Parties

• The ruling parties routinely lose elections in India, both at the national and state levels.
• In fact, in every two out of three elections held in the last 25 years, the ruling party has lost.

2. High Turnover of Sitting Representatives

• In countries like the United States, an incumbent (sitting) elected representative rarely loses.
• But in India, about half of the sitting MPs or MLAs lose elections.

3. Money and Muscle Power Do Not Guarantee Victory

• Candidates known to have spent large amounts of money to buy votes or those with criminal backgrounds often lose elections in India.

4. General Acceptance of Results

• Except for very few disputed elections, the electoral outcomes are usually accepted as the people’s verdict by the defeated party.

Are Indian Elections Truly Free and Fair Overall?

1. Elections in India are basically free and fair.
2. The party that wins forms the government because people choose it over its rivals.
3. Though a few candidates may win using money power and unfair means, the overall verdict still reflects popular preference.
4. In the last 60 years, there have been very few exceptions to this rule.
5. This is what makes Indian elections democratic.

What Are the Challenges to Indian Elections?

1. Unfair Advantage of Money Power

• Candidates and parties with large amounts of money may not be guaranteed victory, but they enjoy an unfair advantage over smaller parties and independents.

2. Criminal Connections

• In some regions, candidates with criminal backgrounds manage to eliminate rivals and secure party tickets from major parties.

3. Dynastic Politics

• Some families dominate political parties, and party tickets are often given to family members, sidelining merit and public choice.

4. Lack of Real Choice

• Elections often give limited options to citizens because major parties have similar policies and practices.

5. Disadvantage to Smaller Parties

• Smaller parties and independent candidates face huge disadvantages compared to bigger, established parties.

Are These Challenges Only in India?

1. These problems are not unique to India.
2. They exist in many established democracies.
3. Such deeper issues are a matter of concern for those who believe in true democracy.

What is the Public Response?

1. Citizens, social activists, and organisations have been demanding reforms in the electoral system to address these challenges.