The Electoral Process Class 10 Political Science Notes Maharashtra State Board
Elections have played a major role in the working of India’s democracy. Elections and representation are two very important processes in democracy. We know that people’s representatives are selected through elections. Elections help to bring a change in power through peaceful means. Different political parties get an opportunity to rule. Policies of the government and the life of society also change. We expect that the representatives we elect should be efficient, honest, and trustworthy and that they should respect the opinion of the people. The electoral process should also be free, fair, and reliable. To ensure that, the Constitution of India has made provision for an independent Election Commission to administer the election process in India. The Election Commission of India and the State level State Election Commissions conduct all-important elections in our country. The entire process of elections from declaring the date of elections to the declaration of results is carried out under the direction and control of the Election Commission. The election process is an inseparable component of a comprehensive democratic process.
What is representation? Modern democracy is a representative democracy. In a democracy, it is not possible to involve the entire population in the decision-making process. This resulted in the starting of the practice of electing some people on behalf of the entire population as representatives who would run the government. The representatives who form the government are expected to be responsible to the people and give preference to the welfare of the people. In this chapter, we will understand the structure, functions, and role of the Election Commission. We will also discuss the reforms required to be made in the electoral process.
Election Commission
In India, the Election Commission is central to the process of elections. Art 324 of the Indian Constitution has established this autonomous body which consists of one Chief Election Commissioner and two other commissioners. The President appoints the election commissioners. The Chief Election Commissioner cannot be removed from his post easily or on account of any political reasons. This is necessary to preserve the independence of the election commission. There is a separate provision made for the expenses of the Election Commission. The Election Commission does not have a separate staff. Government officers, teachers, and other employees help the Election Commission to execute the process of elections.
Sukumar Sen was the first chief election commissioner after independence. In 1921, Sen was selected for Indian Civil Services under the British rule. He was given the charge of the Election Commissioner after the Election Commission was established in 1950. Mr. Sen efficiently handled the responsibility of the Election Commission in extremely adverse conditions. A special campaign to create awareness among voters is run for voter registration. The National Voter’s Day is celebrated for the purpose.
Functions of the Election Commission
1. Preparing the Voters List:
Every Indian citizen who has completed 18 years of age has a right to vote. To exercise the right to vote, a citizen’s name must be on the voter’s list. It is the responsibility of the Election Commission to prepare the list of eligible voters, update the existing voter list, and include the names of new voters. The Election Commission has the authority to issue identity cards to the voters.
2. Decide the Timetable and the Programme of Elections:
The conduct of elections is entirely the responsibility of the Election Commission. The Election Commission decides when to conduct elections and in how many stages to hold elections in every state.
3. Scrutiny of the Applications of Candidates:
After the election dates are declared, every political party selects the candidates to contest the elections. Some candidates contest the elections independently without the support of any political party. Candidates of political parties as well as independent candidates have to fill the applications that include information about themself. The Election Commission scrutinizes all the applications and allows the eligible candidates to contest the elections.
4. Give Recognition to Political Parties:
We have a multiparty system in our country. New parties continue to be formed. Spilt in the parties results in the formation of new parties. All political parties are required to be recognized by the Election Commission. The Election Commission also has a right to derecognize any political party. The Election Commission also allots election symbols to the political parties.
- Some constituencies are kept reserved for Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes.
- Every political party has an election symbol.
- At the time of voting and counting of votes, the official representatives of political parties remain present.
- Recognized parties have equal opportunity to present their side before media such as television and radio.
5. To Resolve any Disputes Relating to Elections:
The Election Commission has the responsibility of resolving any disputes that may arise regarding elections. Accordingly, to declare any candidate as disqualified or conduct re-election in a particular constituency is the responsibility of the Election Commission.
Sham Sharan Negi from Himachal Pradesh was the first voter of India. He exercised his right to vote on 25th October 1951 in Loksabha Elections.
Process of Elections
Establishment of constituencies
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Finalizing voter’s list
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Nomination of candidates and scrutiny of their nomination forms
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Election campaign
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Actual voting
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Counting of votes
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Results of elections
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Resolution of disputes regarding elections
Restructuring of the Constituency:
The total number of members in Loksabha is 543. How are these members elected? Every member represents one constituency. This means there are 543 constituencies of Loksabha. Creating constituencies is the responsibility of the Delimitation Commission of Election Commission. The Delimitation Commission does not succumb to any pressure while restructuring the constituencies.
What is a Code of Conduct?
To ensure free and fair elections in India, the Election Commission has adopted several measures. The Code of Conduct is one of the measures adopted by the Election Commission. In the last few decades, the Election Commission has used its powers to control malpractices during elections. The Code of Conduct explains the rules that are to be followed by the Government, political parties, and voters before elections and during elections. Even the Government cannot violate these rules. Due to the strict observance of the code of conduct in the last few elections, the common voters have become confident.
Challenges in Conducting Free and Fair Elections:
If we take into account the size of our country and the number of voters, conducting elections becomes a truly challenging task. The Election Commission has to work by the law while dealing with these challenges. Some of the challenges are mentioned below:
- Misuse of money takes place to a great extent during elections. The Election Commission has to take several measures to stop such a misuse of money.
- Many political parties give election tickets to candidates with criminal backgrounds. This results not only in criminalization of politics but the Election Commission also faces problems in ensuring that elections are conducted in a free environment.
- Another major challenge is violence during elections. The extent of violence has increased significantly during elections. All political parties should help The Election Commission to control this violence.
- To retain a continuing influence on politics, leaders give election tickets to their relatives. This practice creates a family monopoly in politics.
At the time of the first elections, preparing the voter’s list was a challenging task. As many people were illiterate, the special procedure of voting was used during elections. 20 lacs steel boxes were made for voting purposes. Election symbols were stuck on the boxes. The voters were given the blank ballot papers which they were supposed to drop in the box having the election symbol of the party they wanted to vote for. This system ensured that even illiterate people could vote.
Electoral Reforms:
Elections are a continuous process. The future of democracy depends on elections. The electoral process becomes reliable if the election process is improved. Some reforms are suggested below. What will be its effects according to you?
- To increase the participation of women in politics, the political parties should give 50% candidature to women candidates and try to ensure that they get elected.
- Political parties should not give candidature to candidates having criminal backgrounds. They should strictly follow the decision given by the courts in this respect.
- The Government should take care of election expenses. To ensure that parties will not make misuse of money and mismanagement of money during elections can be stopped.
- Representation of the Peoples Act should be amended so that candidates having criminal backgrounds would not be able to participate in elections.
Journey from Ballot Boxes to EVM Machines
The first election in independent India was held in 1951-52. This was the beginning of the shaping of democracy through electoral politics. In the initial elections ballot boxes were used for voting. The use of EVM machines started in the decade of 1990s. Many things could be achieved because of the voting machine. If the voters do not want to vote for any candidate, they could choose the option of ‘None of the above’ – (NOTA). This option can be given only because of the voting machine. It has become easy for disabled people (Divyanga) to vote. It reduced the cutting of trees for paper and thereby helped in the protection of the environment. It has also been possible to have an early declaration of election results.
- General Elections: Loksabha elections held after every five years are called general elections.
- Midterm Elections: If the elected government loses its majority before completing its term in the Parliament or if the parties of the coalition government withdraw their support resulting in the loss of majority support for the government and if no alternative government is possible, then elections are held before the completion of the term. They are called midterm elections.
- By-Elections: If an elected representative in Loksabha, Vidhansabha, or the local self-government resigns or due to his/her death his seat becomes vacant, the elections are held for that vacant seat. This is called a by-election.
The Election Commission established an expert committee on 8th October 2010. It was decided to add a new facility – Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail in EVM machines. All political parties supported this. Because of this facility, the voters can verify whether the vote cast is registered properly. The purpose of this important step is to stop malpractices in elections.
Good Maharashtra State Board Class 10 Political Science Notes The Electoral Process can simplify complex concepts and make studying more efficient.