Democracy in action

Election and Representation are two key elements or tool of indirect democracy

UNIVERSAL ADULT FRANCHISE or the right to vote is available to the entire adult population of the country

An important principle of adult franchise is the rule of ONE- PERSON ONE-VOTE

The independent body entrusted with the responsibility of conducting free and fair elections in India is the ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA

A political party is a voluntary association, registered with the election commission which aim to gain political power through a democratic process

ABSOLUTE MAJORITY means securing more than half of the total votes pooled.

SIMPLE MAJORITY means securing the highest number of votes

Types of elections

This independent body is headed by the CHEIF ELECTION COMMISSIONER

Each polling booth has about five officials. The PERSIDING OFFICER is in charge and the others called POLLING OFFICERS assist him/her

The term GENERAL ELECTIONS is used when elections take place all over the country or in a state

BY-ELECTIONS are elections held to fill only a particular seat

MID-TERM ELECTIONS are elections that are held before five years

A representative elected to the Lok Sabha is called a member of Parliament (MP)and the one elected to the State assembly is called the member of the Legislature assembly (MLA)

FUNCTIONS OF THE POLITICAL PARTY

CONTEST ELECTIONS

SELECT CANDIDATES

Conduct election campaigns.

Help to formulate public opinion

Give expression to public opinion

Form the government after winning

Function as the opposition if fail to secure majority

The role of the OPPOSITION PARTY is to keep a check on the majority and ensure that the majority irresponsible or dictatorial.

PARTY SYSTEMS

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