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Elections and the Election Commission (Significance (People elect Members…
Elections and the Election Commission
Definition
An organised process in which people vote to choose the persons who shall represent them in Parliament or the State Legislature
Conducted according to
Universal Adult Franchise
Every Indian citizen no less than the age of 18 and is not disqualified by any other law shall be entitled to register as a voter.
One electoral roll per constituency
No person shall be excluded on the grounds of religion, race, caste. sex etc.
Secret Ballot
Electoral choice offered by competition between parties and candidates
Significance
People elect Members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies
These parties further elect the President, VP, PM etc.
People exercise control over their representatives
Elections are a means of educating the Electorate
Elections are a means of protecting our freedoms and rights
Types of Elections
General Elections
Started out as a simultaneous election for Lok Sabha and all Legislative Assemblies (1952, 1957)
Could not be sustained, now only for Lok Sabha
By-Elections
Held to choose a member of Lok Sabha or State Legislature to replace a previous member who resigned or died
Seats may fall vacant because a member may be subject to disqualification
Midterm Elections
Held if the Lok Sabha or State Assembly dissolve before the term is over
Called the General Elections regardless
Kinds of Elections
Direct Election
Voters directly choose their representatives in Parliament
No intermediaries
Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha (elected by people of the State concerned), Gram Panchayat, Municipal Corporations, Prime Minister
Large number of voters
Stimulates the interest of the masses, but they may be under influence of bias
Indirect Election
Voters do not directly choose their representatives; they elect intermediaries who finally elect representatives
Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad), President and Vice-President
Rajya Sabha
12 nominated members, rest are elected members representing States and Union Territories
Elected by Legislative Assembly of each state
Small body of voters
Possible corruption
President of India
Elected by Electoral College = Houses of Parliament + Legislative Assemblies
No actual power
VP is elected by Electoral College consisting of both HoPs