Electoral System in India

Electoral System in India

The electoral system in India has been adapted from the system followed in the United Kingdom. India is a socialist, secular, democratic republic and the largest democracy in the world. The modern Indian nation state came into existence on 15August1947.

I.            Articles 324 to 329 in part XV of the Constitution make the following provisions with regard to the electoral system in our country.

II.            Article 324 of the Indian Constitution provides for an independent Election Commission in order to ensure free and fair elections in the country. At present, the commission consists of a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.

III.            The Parliament may make provision with respect to all matters relating to elections to the Parliament including the preparation of electoral rolls, the delimitation of constituencies and all other matters necessary for securing their due constitution.

IV.            The state legislatures can also make provisions with respect to all matters relating to elections to the state legislatures including the preparation of electoral rolls and all other matters necessary for securing their due constitution.

1. Election Process

At the national level, the head of government, the Prime Minister, is elected by members of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament in India. In representative democracy like ours, elections are extremely important. Voting in elections are the best way to make your ‘voice’ heard.

2. Introduction of the NOTA Option

If the people in a democratic country are not willing to elect any candidate, they can vote for the option called NOTA (None Of The Above). Rule 49-O in the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, of India describes this procedure

3. Types of Elections in India

Elections are classified into two types: direct and indirect elections.

Direct Elections

People directly vote for the candidates in the fray and elect their representatives. The following are examples of direct elections in which people over the age of 18 years participate in the electoral process by casting their votes.

·        Lok Sabha elections, in which the Members of Parliament are elected.

·        Elections to the state Legislative Assemblies, in which the Members of Legislative Assemblies are elected.

·        Elections to the local governing bodies, in which members of the local governing bodies like the municipal corporation or the panchayat are elected.

Merits

·        As the voters elect their representatives directly, direct elections are considered to be a more democratic method of election.

·        It educates people regarding the government activities and helps in choosing the appropriate candidates. Also, it encourages people to play an active role in politics.

·        It empowers people and makes the rulers accountable for their actions.

Demerits

·        Direct elections are very expensive.

·        Illiterate voters sometimes get misguided by false propaganda and sometimes campaigning based on caste, religious and various other sectarian consideration spose serious challenges.

·        Since conducting direct elections is a massive exercise, ensuring free and fair elections at every polling station is a major challenge to the Election Commission.

·        There are instances of some political candidates influencing the voters through payments in the form of cash, goods or services.

·        Election campaigns sometimes results in violence, tension, law and order problems and affects the day-to-day life of people.

Indirect Elections

Voters elect their representatives, who, in turn, elect their representatives to formal offices like the President’s office.

Merits

·        Indirect elections are less expensive.

·        It is more suited to elections in large countries.

Demerits

·        If the number of voters is very small, there exists the possibility of corruption, bribery, horse trading and other unfair activities.

·        It is less democratic because people do not have a direct opportunity to elect, but they instead do it through their representatives. So, this may not reflect the true will of the people.