ELECTORAL POLITICS 9 (NCERT) NOTES
WHY ELECTIONS?
State Assembly Election in Haryana (1987)
Background:
Congress party ruled Haryana since 1982.
- Chaudhary Devi Lal, opposition leader, started 'Nyaya Yudh' and created Lok Dal party.
- Lok Dal united with other opposition parties against Congress.
Election Campaign:
- Devi Lal promised loan waivers for farmers and small businessmen if Lok Dal won.
- People were dissatisfied with the current government and drawn to Devi Lal's promise.
Election Results:
- Lok Dal and allies secured 76 out of 90 seats in the State Assembly.
- Lok Dal alone won 60 seats, ensuring a clear majority.
- Congress only managed to win 5 seats.
Aftermath:
- Sitting Chief Minister resigned after the results.
- Lok Dal's MLAs chose Devi Lal as their leader.
- Devi Lal became Chief Minister within three days.
- His government promptly waived loans for small farmers, laborers, and small businessmen.
- Lok Dal ruled for four years until the 1991 elections, when Congress regained power.
Why do we need elections?
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Why do we need elections ? (i) Elections are essential for representative democracy. (ii) Elections help the people do choose their representatives. (iii) Elections help the people to change their representatives if they don't work as per their wishes. |
Why Elections Are Necessary:
- Elections are a vital part of democracies worldwide.
- In large communities, daily collective decision-making is impractical.
- People often lack the time and knowledge to decide on every matter.
- Hence, in most democracies, representatives are chosen by the people to rule on their behalf.
Democracy Without Elections?
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Why is it not possible in modern democracies to establish rule of the people without any elections? Explain. (i) The number of the people is very large who can't sit together everyday and take all the decisions. (ii) Everyone does not have the time and knowledge to take decisions. (iii) This problem can be solved through regular election which is a democratic way to select representatives. Therefore, elections are considered essential in our times for any representative democracy. Q: What kind of choices does a voter make in elections ? Describe. In an election the voters make many choices:
What makes an election democratic? Or Mention any five minimum conditions of a democratic election. Because All democratic countries hold elections. But most non-democratic countries also hold some kind of elections. First, everyone should be able to choose. This means that everyone should have one vote and every vote should have equal value. Second, there should be something to choose from. Parties and candidates should be free to contest elections and should offer some real choice to the voters. Third, the choice should be offered at regular intervals. Elections must be held regularly after every few years. Fourth, the candidate preferred by the people should get elected. Fifth, elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner where people can choose as they really wish. |
- Imagine a place where
mrepresentatives are selected based on age, experience, education, or knowledge.
- It might seem feasible, but it raises questions about fairness, public preference, and accountability.
- Such a system wouldn't require elections but might not truly be a democracy.
The Role of Elections:
- Elections are the mechanism by which people can choose their representatives at regular intervals.
- Elections ensure that representatives align with the people's wishes and allow for change if they don't.
- Elections are fundamental in modern representative democracies.
What Voters Decide in Elections:
- Voters have several choices in elections:
- Choosing those who make laws.
- Deciding who forms the government and makes major decisions.
- Selecting the party whose policies guide government and lawmaking.
Is it good to have political competition?
Describe any merits and demerits of electoral
competition.
Ans.
(i) Political parties use all kinds of dirty and unethical tricks like booth capturing, use of money and muscle power etc.
(ii) The role of unaccounted money in elections has become a serious problem.
(iii) Political parties try to muster the support of the people on the basis of religion, caste.
All this creates a disunity in the society. Even some time this disunity takes ugly form of communal riots.
(iv) All the political parties do not have equal opportunity in respect of access to resources. The party in power is always in advantageous position than the opposition
parties.
(v) Pressure to win hinder in the formulation of long term policies.
(vi) It creates a sense of disunity and ‘factionalism’ in every locality.
Merits:
1) It creates competition among parties to serve the people better.
2) People will have lot of options among various leaders.
3) People can select a particular leader who can solve their problems.
4) Political Competition mostly benefits the people as parties will do their best to lure the people.
5) Poltical Competition leads to the development of the nation.
Conclusion:
political competition may cause divisions and some ugliness, but it finally helps to force political parties and leaders to serve the people.
3.2 WHAT IS OUR SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS?
Distinguish between General elections and By-elections.
Our main focus General Election
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General Elections |
By-Elections |
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(i) The election condu-cted in all the constituencies at the same time, either on the same day or within a few days to elect representatives is known as the general election. (ii) Such elections are held after every five years. (iii) These elections are held to form the new government at the state or the Centre level. |
If an elected candidate dies while in office or seat falls vacant due to other reasons such as resignation, etc. then fresh elections are held in that particular constituency alone. Such an election is called by-election. (ii) These elections can be held any time. (iii) These are held to fill vacant seat. |
Electoral constituencies:
- In our country we follow an area based system of representation.
- The country is divided into different areas for the purposes of elections.
- These areas are called electoral constitutencies.
- The voters who live in an area elect one representative.
Lok Sabha Elections:
- 543 constituencies.
- Elected representatives: Members of Parliament (MP).
- One Person = One vote = One value (Constitution).
- Requires that each constituency should have a roughly equal population
State Assembly Constituencies:
- Each state divided into specific Assembly constituencies.
- Elected representatives: Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA).
- Each Parliamentary constituency contains several assembly constituencies.
Panchayat and Municipal Elections
- Villages/towns divided into 'wards' (like constituencies).
- Each ward elects one member of the local body.
Note: Constituencies often referred to as 'seats' (e.g., 'Lok Dal won 60 seats' means 60 MLAs in the state assembly).
Reserved Constituencies
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Q: What are reserved Constituencies ? Explain the concept of 'Reservation of seats' by giving any three suitable arguments. ICBSE March 2011, 2012] Or Describe the need for reserved constituencies in India. |
Constitution ensures the right to elect and be elected for every citizen.
Concern for Weaker Sections
- Worries that weaker sections might struggle in open elections due to limited resources, education, and influence.
- Fear of underrepresentation in Parliament and Assemblies.
Definition: Reserved Constituencies
- Constitution introduced reserved constituencies for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
- Only SC or ST individuals can contest from these reserved constituencies.
- Number of reserved seats in Lok Sabha based on their population share.
- Currently (as on 26 January 2019):
Lok Sabha -
84 seats Scheduled Castes -
47 seats Scheduled Tribes
Extension of Reservation:
- To Other weaker sectionsat at the district and local level.
- In many states, seats in rural (panchayat) and urban (municipalities and corporations) local bodies are now reserved for Other Backward Classes (OBC) as well.
- Similarly, one-third of the seats are reserved in rural and urban local bodies for women candidates.
Note: seats reserved varies from state to state.
Voter’s List:
To fulfill - UAF
How and by whom is the voters' list prepared ?
(i) The list which contains the particulars of eligible voters is called the 'Electoral Roll' or
'Voters' List'. The Voters' list, is prepared by Election Commission of India.
(ii) All the citizens aged 18 years and above are eligible to cast their votes in an election.
Note: Some criminals and persons with unsound mind can be denied the right to vote, but only in rare situations.
(iii) Record of name, father's name, address,
age and sex of the voter, etc. are duly prepared.
(iv) It is the responsibility of the government to get the names of all the eligible voters put on the voters' list.
(v) As new persons attain voting age, names are added to the voters' list. Names of those who move out of a place or those who are dead are deleted. A complete revision of the list takes place after every five years.
Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
- New System
- Effort to provide it to everyone on the voter list.
Carrying EPIC to Vote:
- Voters are encouraged to carry the EPIC when they go to vote.
- Prevents unauthorized voting on behalf of others.
Not Mandatory:
- EPIC is not compulsory for voting.
- Voters can use other identity proofs like ration cards or driving licenses.
Nomination of candidates
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Q: Describe the procedures of the nomination of a candidate to contest in a particular Election. Q: What are the contents of legal declaration to be made by the candidates for contesting the election in India. |
Equal Access for All
- Anyone eligible to vote can run for election.
- Minimum age for candidates: 25 years (18 for voters).
Restrictions on Criminals
- Limited restrictions on criminals, only in extreme cases.
- Political parties nominate candidates and provide support, known as a 'party ticket.'
Nomination Process
- Candidates must fill a 'nomination form' and pay a 'security deposit.'
New Rules by Supreme Court
Candidates must disclose:
- Pending serious criminal cases.
- Assets, liabilities of themselves and family.
- Educational qualifications.
Public Disclosure
- All candidate information is made public.
- Allowed voters to make informed decisions based on candidates' disclosures.
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Q: Do you think educational qualification should be necessary for the candidate aspiring to fight elections ? Give your views in favour or against it. |
Educational qualifications for candidates
No, educational qualification should not be necessary for the candidate aspiring to fight elections.
(i) Educational qualifications are not relevant to all kinds of job.
(ii) Relevant qualification for being an MLA or an MP is the ability to understand and people's concerns, problems and the ways to solve them.
(iii) Whether they can do so or not is examined by lakhs of examiners i.e., their voters, after every five years.
(iv) Putting an educational qualification would go against the spirit of democracy. It would deprive a large percentage of our people to get elected.
(v) If educational qualification was made compulsory, it would mean depriving a majority of the country's citizens to contest elections.
For example, if a graduate degree like B.A., B.Com or B.Sc was made compulsory for candidates, more than 90 per cent of the citizens will become ineligible to contest elections.
Election Campaign
Election Purpose:
- Choose the representatives, the government and the policies they prefer.
So it is necessary to have a free and open discussion about:
- who is a better representative
- which party will make a better government or
- What is a good policy?
This is what happens during election campaigns.
Election Campaign:
- Campaigns take place for a two-week period between the announcement of the final list of candidates and the date of polling.
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Q: What is the importance of the election campaign? [CBSE 2015] Q: Evaluate the importance of the election campaign. |
Ans.
(i) Election campaign is the set of activities candidates and political parties do to seek support of electors to win political office.
(ii) It is a time period when free and open discussion takes place between different political parties.
(iii) It is the time period when candidates contact their voters through rallies or media.
(iv) It is the time period when newspapers and television news are full of election related stories and debates.
(v) It is the time period when people come to know about policies and programmes of various political parties.
(vi) It is the time period political parties try to focus public attention on some big issues
Successful slogans given by different political parties in various elections:
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Party/Leader |
Slogans |
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Congres party (Indira Gandhi) |
Garibi Hatao (Remove poverty) in the Lok Sabha elections of 1971 |
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Janata Party (Jayaprakash Narayan) |
Save Democracy Lok Sabha election held in 1977 (The party promised to undo the excesses committed during Emergency and restore civil liberties.) |
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Left Front |
Land to the Tiller in the West Bengal Assembly elections held in 1977. |
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Telugu Desam Party (N. T. Rama Rao) |
‘Protect the Self-Respect of the Telugus’ Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections in 1983. |
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How does our Election Law regulate campaigns? (CBSE March 2011, 2012) |
It is necessary to regulate campaign to ensure
that every political party and candidate gets a fair and equal chance to compete. According to our election law, no party or candidate can :
(a) Bribe or threaten voters.
(b) Appeal to them in the name of caste or religion.
(c) Use government resources for election campaigns.
(d) Spend More Than`25 lakh in a constituency for a Lok Sabha election or 10 lakh in a constituency in an Assembly election. (NCERT).
Or
(d) A candidate can spend between * 50 lakh to ? 70 lakh while contesting Lok Sabha elections whereas for Assembly elections ceiling is between * 20 lakh to 7 28 lakhs. (Update).
Note: If they do so, their election can be
rejected by the court even after they have been declared elected.
Model Code of Conduct
In addition to the laws, all the political parties in our country have agreed to this.
- Use any place of worship for election propaganda.
- Use government vehicles, aircrafts and officials for elections; and
- Once elections are announced, Ministers shall not lay foundation stones of any projects, take any big policy decisions or make any promises of providing public facilities.
Polling and counting of votes:
1. Election Day Arrival:
- Voters go to a local polling booth.
- Their names should be on the voters' list.
2. Voting Process:
- Election officials verify the voter's identity.
- Mark the voter's finger.
- Allow the voter to cast their vote.
3. Observer Presence:
- Each candidate has an agent in the polling booth.
- Agents ensure fair and transparent voting.
Other Election Process:
1. Traditional Voting:
- Voters used to stamp ballot papers.
- Ballot paper listed contesting candidates, party names, and symbols.
2. Modern Voting with EVM:
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used.
- EVM displays candidate names and party symbols.
- Independent candidates have assigned symbols.
3. Voting Process:
- Voter selects the candidate by pressing a button on the EVM.
4. Post-Voting:
- EVMs sealed and securely transported.
5. Vote Counting:
- EVMs opened on a fixed date.
- Agents of candidates oversee counting.
- Candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins.
6. General Election Counting:
- All constituencies count votes simultaneously on the same day.
- Results reported by TV, radio, and newspapers.
- New government formation becomes clear within hours.
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Identify the fair and the unfair electoral practices among the following:
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3.3 WHAT MAKES ELECTIONS IN INDIA DEMOCRATIC:
In the newspaper we came across unfair practices in elections.
- Inclusion of false names and exclusion of genuine names in the voters’ list;
- Misuse of government facilities and officials by the ruling party;
- Excessive use of money by rich candidates and big parties; and
- Intimidation of voters and rigging on the polling day.
Independent Election Commission
Powers of the Election Commission (EC):
- In India, elections are conducted by a strong and independent EC.
- EC has similar independence to the judiciary.
- Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) appointed by the President.
- Once appointed CEC is not answerable to the President or government.
Ensuring Fairness:
- The EC wields extensive powers.
- Difficult for the ruling party or government to remove the CEC (virtually impossible for it to remove the CEC.).
- Few election commissions globally have such wide-ranging authority.
Complete control over Election:
EC takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections from the announcement of elections to the declaration of results.
Election Commission’s Authority:
Code of Conduct Enforcement:
- EC manages all election aspects, from announcement to results.
Government Guidelines:
- During elections, the EC can instruct the government on guidelines.
- Prevents misuse of power to influence elections.
- May transfer government officials if necessary.
Control of Officers:
When on election duty, govern- ment officers work under the control of the EC and not the govern- ment.
Election Commission's Strengthened Role:
Expanded Powers:
- In the last 25 years, the EC has begun to exercise all its powers and even expand them.
Holding Government Accountable:
- EC frequently holds the government and administration accountable for errors.
In case of non fair elections:
- EC Can order repolls when polling is deemed unfair.
Independence and Power:
- Ruling parties must comply, even if they disagree.
- EC's independence and strength are crucial for this.
Popular participation:
1. Voter Turnout Trends:
- In Europe and North America, turnout declined in the last 50 years.
- In India, turnout is stable or increasing.
2. India's Unique Turnout:
- In India the poor, illiterate and underprivileged people vote in larger proportion as compared to the rich and privileged sections.
For example in the United States of America, poor people, African Americans and Hispanics (Spain) vote much less than the rich and the white people.
3. Importance of Elections:
- Indians value elections for pressuring parties to adopt favorable policies.
- They believe their vote influences the country's direction.
4. Growing Voter Engagement:
- Voter interest in election-related activities is rising over the years.
- During 2004 elections, over one-third engaged in campaign related activities.
- More than half identify - being close to one or the other political party.
- One in seven voters is a party member.
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Q: What is the outcome of free and fair elections held in India ? [CBSE 2014] Or Q: "One final test of the free and fairness of election lies in the outcome itself". Justify the statement with the help of the outcomes of India's elections. (CBSE 2012) |
Acceptance of election outcome:
If elections are not free or fair, the outcome always favours the powerful.
In such a situation, the ruling parties do not lose elections.
Usually, the losing party does not accept the outcome of a rigged election.
Frequent Losses: The ruling parties routinely lose
elections in India both at the national and state level. In fact in every two out of the three elections held in the last 25 years, the ruling party lost.
Frequent Defeats: In the US, an incumbent or ‘sitting’ elected representative rarely loses an election. In India about half of the sitting MPs or MLAs lose elections.
Money and Criminal ties: Candidates who are known to have spent a lot of money on ‘buying votes’ and those with known criminal connections often lose elections.
People’s Verdict: Barring very few disputed elections, the electoral outcomes are usually accepted as ‘people’s verdict’ by the defeated party.
All this leads to a simple conclusion: elections in India are basically free and fair. The party that wins an election and forms government does so because people have chosen it over its rivals. This may not be true for every constituency. A few candidates may win purely on the basis of money power and unfair means. But the overall verdict of a general elec- tion still reflects popular preference. There are very few exceptions to this rule in the last 60 years in our country. This is what makes Indian elections democratic.
Yet the picture looks different if we ask deeper questions: Are people’s preferences based on real knowledge? Are the voters getting a real choice? Is election really level playing field for everyone? Can an ordinary citizen hope to win elections?
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Questions of this kind bring the many limitations and challenges of Indian elections to our attention. These include :
Challenges in Electoral System:
Unfair Money Advantage:
- Candidates and parties with a lot of money may not guarantee victory but enjoy an unfair advantage over smaller parties and independents.
Criminal Influence:
- Candidates with criminal connections can eliminate competition and are able to push others out of the electoral race and to secure a ‘ticket’ from major parties.
Dynastic Politics:
- Some families dominate political parties, tickets are distributed to relatives from these families.
Limited Choices:
- Major parties adopted similar policies and practices, offering little choice to ordinary citizens.
Disadvantage for Smaller Parties:
- Smaller parties and independent candidates face significant disadvantages compared to larger parties.
Need for Reform:
- These issues are not unique to India and exist in established democracies. Reform is needed to address these challenges.
Reform Ideas:
- Make rules for campaign money fairer.
- Make it harder for candidates with criminal records to run.
- Encourage democracy within parties to stop family control.
- Give more choices by having different parties.
What Citizens Can Do:
- Ask for and support changes to the electoral system.
- Join local movements and help groups working for change.
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Is this an accurate picture of what happens to the voter before and after elections? Must this always happen in a democracy? Can you think of examples when this did not happen? |
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Electoral Campaigns’, this cartoon was drawn in the Latin American context. Does this apply to India and to other democracies in the world? |
National Voters’ Day (NVD) Pledge
We, the citizens of India, having abiding faith in democracy, hereby pledge to uphold the democratic traditions of our country and the dignity of free, fair and peaceful elections, and to vote in every election fearlessly and without being influenced by considerations of religion, race, caste, community, language or any inducement.
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