Glossary in Public Opinion and Party System

Glossary

Political Party: An organization that seeks to achieve political power by electing its members to public office

One-party system: A system in which a single political party has the right to form the government, usually based on the existing constitution, or where only one party has the exclusive control over political power

Two-party system: A system where only two parties or alliances, typically placed either side of the centre, have a realistic chance of forming a majority. Other parties are very minor or solely regional.

Multi-party system: A system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government offices, separately or in coalition.

Ballot: This piece of paper contains information on the symbols and names of the candidates contesting in a constituency.

By-election: When a seat in Legislature becomes vacant between general elections (often because the incumbent has either resigned, defected to another party or died), a by-election is held.

Election: The process whereby eligible persons vote to determine who will hold a political office.

Elector: A person who is included in the electoral roll for an electorate.

Election Commission: The Election Commission is an independent autonomous entity responsible for the administration of Parliamentary and State Legislature Assembly elections and related works.

Ballot box : The box at a polling place into which a stamped ballot paper is to be dropped.

Coalition:A Government is formed by more than one party when no single party sets absolute majority.

Electoral roll: The list of all the registered electors for a particular electorate kept by the Registrar of Electors.

Electoral System: The general name for all the rules concerning elections, i.e. the voting system, boundaries, registration of electors, candidacy, campaign spending, broadcasting, etc.

Majority Government; A government made up of one or more political parties is formed by a political party which has absolute majority in legislature.

Democracy: Government by the people, through free, fair and periodical elections.