This chapter explores the role of elections in a democracy, why they are necessary, and what makes them democratic. It examines India’s electoral system, stages of elections, and assesses whether Indian elections are free and fair, highlighting the Election Commission’s role.
Haryana Case Study (1987): Chaudhary Devi Lal led the Lok Dal party, promising to waive farmers’ and small businessmen’s loans. His coalition won 76 of 90 seats, with Lok Dal securing 60. Devi Lal became Chief Minister, fulfilling his promise. In 1991, Congress won, showing elections enable policy and government changes.
Need for Elections: Direct democracy is impractical in large societies. Elections allow people to choose representatives who make laws, form governments, and guide policies. Without elections, there’s no mechanism to select or replace representatives based on people’s preferences.
Alternatives: Selecting representatives by age, experience, or education wouldn’t ensure accountability or reflect public will, undermining democracy. Elections provide regular choice and change.
Democratic Election Conditions:
Political Competition: Competition among parties and candidates can cause division, allegations, or short-term focus but incentivizes leaders to serve people. Voters reward or punish performance, ensuring accountability, unlike non-competitive systems.
Types of Elections: Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections occur every five years (general elections). By-elections fill vacancies. Terms end after five years, dissolving assemblies.
Electoral Constituencies: India uses an area-based system. Lok Sabha has 543 constituencies (MPs); states have Assembly constituencies (MLAs). Each constituency has roughly equal population for equal vote value. Panchayat/municipal elections use wards.
Reserved Constituencies: To ensure representation, 84 Lok Sabha seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and 47 for Scheduled Tribes (ST), proportional to population. OBC and women (one-third) reservations exist in local bodies. The 2023 Women’s Reservation Act reserves one-third of parliamentary/assembly seats for women.
Voters’ List: The Electoral Roll lists eligible voters (18+ years, regardless of caste, religion, gender). It’s updated regularly, with additions (new voters), deletions (deceased, relocated), and revisions every five years. Election Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) are issued but not mandatory; other IDs (e.g., ration card) suffice.
Nomination of Candidates: Anyone 25+ can contest (voters: 18+). Candidates file nominations, pay a security deposit, and declare criminal cases, assets, liabilities, and education (per Supreme Court). Political parties issue ‘tickets’ with symbols.
No Educational Qualification: Education isn’t required, as representation depends on understanding people’s needs, not degrees. Requiring qualifications would exclude most citizens, violating democratic principles.
Election Campaign: A two-week campaign follows candidate finalization. Parties focus on issues via slogans (e.g., Congress’s “Garibi Hatao” 1971, Janata’s “Save Democracy” 1977). Regulations prohibit bribery, caste/religion appeals, government resource misuse, and excessive spending (₹25 lakh Lok Sabha, ₹10 lakh Assembly).
Model Code of Conduct: Prohibits using places of worship, government vehicles, or new project announcements during campaigns, ensuring fairness.
Polling and Counting: On election day, voters cast votes at polling booths using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). Votes are counted days later, with candidate agents ensuring fairness. The highest vote-getter wins; over 50% isn’t required.
Costs: The 2014 Lok Sabha elections cost ₹3,500 crore (government) and ₹30,000 crore total (parties/candidates), or ₹500/voter. Compared to submarines (₹3,000 crore each) or Commonwealth Games (₹20,000 crore), elections are justified for democracy.
Independent Election Commission (EC): The EC, led by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), is independent, appointed by the President but not answerable to the government. It controls all election aspects, enforces the Code of Conduct, orders repolls, and transfers officials, ensuring fairness.
EC Powers:
Popular Participation: Voter turnout in India is stable or rising (unlike declining in Europe/USA). In 2004, turnout was high among poor, illiterate, and underprivileged groups, unlike in the US. Over one-third of voters engage in campaign activities, and many believe their vote matters.
Acceptance of Outcomes: Ruling parties often lose (two-thirds of elections in 25 years), unlike in the US where incumbents rarely lose. Most outcomes are accepted as the “people’s verdict,” with few disputes.
Challenges:
Malpractices: Fake voters, government resource misuse, voter intimidation, and rigging occur but don’t typically determine overall outcomes. The EC’s oversight minimizes their impact.
Conclusion: Indian elections are largely free and fair, reflecting popular will, though reforms are needed to address money power, criminality, and limited choices.
Elections’ Role: Elections enable representative democracy, allowing people to choose lawmakers, governments, and policies while ensuring accountability through competition.
Democratic Criteria: Universal suffrage, real choice, regular elections, people’s preference, and fairness define democratic elections.
India’s System: Features constituencies, reservations, voters’ lists, open candidacy, regulated campaigns, EVMs, and an independent EC, ensuring democratic processes.
Strengths: High participation, independent EC, and accepted outcomes demonstrate India’s democratic elections.
Challenges: Money, criminality, family politics, and limited choices require reforms to enhance fairness and representation.