The Process and method of election in India

-Prathamesh Bhere

-www.facebook.com/prathamesh.bhere

The government of the people, by the people,for the people

- Abraham Lincoln

Government of IndiaIt is democraticIt is secular. It is republicanIt was established by parliament of India.It was given control of 28 states and 7 union

territories.

Election Foundation stone of democracy

An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual

to hold public office

Functions of Election The mainstay of a democratic societyEducating citizens about national and

international issuesShowing citizens limits of their own political

authorityOperating the principle of general welfareElections helps to solve the problem of

succession in leadership and thus contributes to the continuation of democracy

The Method of the Election

The electoral system

The Method of ElectionConstitution of India in Art 324 provides for

a Election Commissioner and other Election commissioners, who are appointed by the president of india.

The chief election commissioner functions as the chairperson of the commission.

Art 325 provides for creation of a single election roll for entire country

The Method of ElectionArt 326 establishes universal adult suffrage

as the basis for the creation of roll. Art 327 and 328 provides that the

parliament and the state legislature can legislate on matters of elections, subject to the provision of the constitution.

Art 329 bans the courts from interfering in electoral matters

The Method of ElectionOne MP must be elected from each

constituency. First past the post system is used to

determine the winnerState may reserve seats in favor of

sc/st/obc in legislative bodiesVoter who are not physically present in

their constituency on polling day can vote through the Postal ballot system.

The Process of ElectionThe country must be delimited into various

constituencies.The president appoints several regional

commissioners on advice of chief election commissioner.

The electoral roll is preparedThe election commission calls for a all party

meeting to discuss the poll dates.

The Process of ElectionCampaign managers of political parties

conduct opinion pollsThe election commission prepares a

schedule for electionThe code of conduct prescribed by the

election commission comes into forces as the dates are declared.

Political parties kick off their campaigning when the poll dates are announces

The Process of ElectionOn election day, voting commences in the

morning and ends in the evening.As voters leave polling booth exit polls are

conducted.The ballot boxes and EVMs are secured in

strongholds.The votes are counted and the winners are

determined by the first past the post system.

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Election Process Announcement of Elections

Nomination Phase

Scrutiny of Nominations

Withdrawal of Candidates

Polling

Counting

Electorate Information

Contesting Candidates information

India is the largest democracy in the world. The right to vote and more importantly the exercise of franchise by the eligible citizens is at the heart of every democracy.

Why should you vote?

We, the people, through our right to vote have the ultimate power to shape the destiny of country by electing our representatives who run the Government.

Why should you vote?

Average polling percentage range = 50-60%

The winning parties obtaining a maximum of 25-27% of the total eligible voters' support means support of less than 20% of total voters

Who elects our Government?

Many instances of the winning candidate obtaining fewer votes than required for refund of deposit

So far, no national government in India has been elected with a majority vote

Even the largest parliamentary majorities were based on less than 50% voter support.

Who elects our Government?

You are eligible to vote if:You are an Indian citizen

You are 18 years or older

You are an Ordinary Resident at your current location i.e. you have been living at your current address for 6 months or longer.

Who can vote?

An electoral roll is a list of all eligible citizens who are entitled to cast their vote in an election. The electoral rolls are prepared Assembly Constituency wise.

To exercise your franchise, the first and foremost requirement is that your name should be in the electoral roll.

Electoral Roll

Mere possession of an EPIC issued to you does not guarantee you your vote, because it is mandatory that your name should appear in the electoral roll. For further information on registering yourself log on to eci.gov.in

Elector’s Photo Identity Card

Election Commission of India has made it mandatory that all candidates must file an affidavit along with their nomination form with details such as:

his/her criminal antecedents his/her assets and liabilities and those of his/her spouse and dependents his/her educational background

Disclosure by candidates

Any citizen of the country can obtain copies of the nomination form and the affidavit filed by any candidate from the Returning Officer and it shall not be refused.

As a voter you have every right to seek this information and get it.

Thank you