Election Commission and...

Election Commission and Elections

NCERT Democratic Politics 1. Chapter 4

Class 9

1©10x10learning.com

What is an Election?

Election is the process by which citizens in a democracy choose their representatives for :

Parliament called Members of Parliament or

MP

Legislative Assemblies of 29 States and 2 UT called Members

of Legislative Assemblies or

MLA

Gram Sabha and Municipal

Corporations and other local bodies, called

Corporator


Who can Vote in an Election? • - A citizen who is 18 years of age and above, can

register as a Voter after the 18th birthday, in the office of the Election Commission nearest to her place of residence.

• Proof of age and residence is required to be given at the time of registration.

• - A registered voter, gets a ‘Voter’s Card’ , which is a proof of Identity and a permission to vote in all subsequent elections.

• - A registered Voter’s name is included in the ‘Electoral Role’ in the Constituency in which she resides.

• A Voter needs to be a citizen of sound mind .


Principles for conducting Elections

• 1) Universal Adult Franchise

• 2) Secret Ballot

• 3) Electoral choice between candidates of various parties

• 4) One General Electoral Roll for every constituency

• 5) No citizen shall be excluded from the General Electoral Roll on ground of religion, race, caste, sex or any such reason.


Importance of Elections

• India is a Democratic Republic

• People create the government and legislature through elections

For constituting Parliament and

Legislative Assemblies

• The elected representatives, called MPs in Parliament , and MLAs in Legislative Assemblies directly control the governments, as the representatives of their voters.

• Voters control governments by replacing the party in majority in the next election.

People control the elected government

through their representatives

• Elected governments are based on consent of the people

• Elections are an occasion to inform the public about the choices they have in electing the government of one party.

Elections are a means of legitimizing the right of the government to

remain in power


Different Types of Elections for the Union of India

• For the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies :

(1) General Elections : in1952 and 1957 were held for Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies at the same time. Later variations started. The last General Election for 16th Lok Sabha was in April – May, 2014.

(1.1) Mid-term – When dissolved before its term

(1.2) By- Elections – for vacancies caused by death or resignation of members


Different Types of Elections for the Union of India

• 2) Election of the President of India3) Election of the Vice-President of India4) Elections for the Rajya Sabha for one third of its members , every two years.5) Elections for 7 Vidhan Parishad or Upper House in Legislative Assemblies

- Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh

- Vidhan Parishad for Tamil Nadu and Assam have been approved by Union Government in 2010 and 2013 , but have not been implemented.


Kinds of Elections• The two different kinds of Elections are Direct and

Indirect based on the process of electing the representatives

• DIRECT INDIRECT(1) The President of India

(2) The Vice President of India1) MPs in Lok Sabha (3) MPs in Rajya Sabha2) MLAs in Vidhan Sabha (4) MLAs in Vidhan Parishad

of 7 State Legislative Assemblies3) Local Bodies

See table at on page A47 of your Civic Book

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Advantages and Disadvantages

Of Direct Election: (1) is a huge cost to the public exchequer in a large country like India. (2) involves the people in government agenda ( 3) Better awareness about one’s country and choice of candidates (4) Imparts legitimacy to elected governments

• Disadvantage: Influence of emotion results in better candidates getting rejected

Indirect Elections: (a) costs less. (b) reduces emotional heat (c) More suited for very large constituencies as in the case of the President of India

• Main disadvantage is of corrupt practices developing as the number of people who vote is known and their number is in a few thousands.


Constituencies

• Constituency is a well defined territorial area , that elects only one candidate as the winner. The size of the constituency for Lok Sabhaelections and for the Legislative Assembly elections , varies . For example for the LS elections, Delhi is divided into 7 constituencies for electing 7 MPs. But for electing its 70 MLAs for the Delhi Legislative Assembly , Delhi is divided into 70 constituencies.


Kinds of Constituencies• Single member constituencies – is one in which only one winner candidate is elected.

• Multiple member constituencies are those in which more than one candidate is elected as the winner.

• Reserved constituencies: only SC and ST candidates can stand for election from Reserved constituencies.


The Election Commission of India1. The Constitution of India provides for creation

of an Election Commission of India, and it was constituted in January, 1950.

2. The first Chief Election Commissioner was ShriSukumar Sen , who took office in March, 1950, and the current Chief Election Commission is Shri appointed as per Notification of 14th May, 2015.

3. He holds office for six years or till 65 years of age, which ever is earlier.

4. In case of difference of opinion, the matter is decided as per majority opinion.


Independence of the Election Commission

• CEC cannot be removed from office except as per procedure for a Judge

• Other Members cannot be removed without recommendation of the CEC

Ensured by the

Constitution

• Conditions of service cannot be varied after appointment

• Draw salaries equivalent to that of Judge of Supreme Court of India

Conditions of service

• It is duty of the President or the Governor to make available the staff required by the CEC, for conducting the elections.

• The EC has complete control of the staff so deputed during the election.

Control over Staff during

Elections©10x10learning.com 14

Powers and Functions of the EC

• Preparing and updating

• Territories have been rationalized without changing the number of members

• Ensuring that all elections are fair and free

• Disqualifying candidates who do not meet the conditions

Recognizing Political

Parties and allotting them

symbols

Conducting all Elections

General Electoral Rolls and Voter’ ID

Delimitationof

Constituencies – frozen up to

2026


Powers and Functions1) Conducting all Elections

2) Ensuring that they are fair and free and are held in a transparent manner

3) Preparation and updating of ‘General Electoral Rolls’ and Photo Identity Cards for each constituency.

4) Delimitation of Constituencies – ban on delimitation up to 2026. Territories have been rationalized without changing the number of seats for Lok Sabha.

5) Recognition of Political Parties

6) Allotment of Symbols to Parties and Independent Candidates

7) Disqualification of candidates as per stated conditions


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