Electoral Politics

Electoral Politics discusses the importance of elections in a democracy, the different stages of an election, and the role of the Election Commission.

3.1 WHY ELECTIONS?

Assembly Election in Haryana

– Chaudhary Devi Lal led a movement called ‘Nyaya Yudh’ and formed a new party, Lok Dal, in Haryana.
– Lok Dal formed an alliance with other opposition parties to contest the State assembly elections against the ruling Congress party.
– Devi Lal promised to waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen if his party won the elections.
– Lok Dal and its allies won a majority in the State Assembly, with Lok Dal alone winning 60 out of 90 seats.
– Devi Lal became the Chief Minister and immediately fulfilled his promise by issuing a Government Order to waive outstanding loans.
– Lok Dal ruled the State for four years until the Congress party won the next elections in 1991 and formed the government.

Why do we need elections?

– Elections are essential in representative democracies to allow people to choose their representatives and participate in decision-making.
– In a large community, it is not feasible for everyone to sit together and make all decisions, so people rule through their elected representatives.
– Selecting representatives based on age, experience, education, or knowledge may be possible, but it lacks mechanisms to ensure accountability and responsiveness to the people’s wishes.
– Elections provide a mechanism for people to choose representatives at regular intervals and change them if desired, ensuring accountability and reflecting the will of the people.
– In elections, voters have the power to choose lawmakers, form the government, and determine the direction of policies and decision-making through their choice of political parties.

What makes an election democratic?

– Democratic elections are distinguished from other elections based on certain minimum conditions.
– The minimum conditions for a democratic election include:
1. Universal suffrage and equal value of each vote.
2. Freedom for parties and candidates to contest elections, offering real choices.
3. Regular intervals for elections.
4. Election of the candidate preferred by the people.
5. Conducting elections in a free and fair manner.
– These conditions may seem simple, but many countries fail to fulfill them.
– In the upcoming chapter, these conditions will be applied to elections in India to assess if they meet the criteria of democratic elections.

Is it good to have political competition?

– Elections are about political competition, both among parties and candidates, and are essential for the functioning of democracy.
– Political competition can have drawbacks, such as disunity, factionalism, allegations, and dirty tactics.
– The Constitution makers recognized these issues but chose free competition in elections as the preferred method to select leaders.
– In an ideal world, where all leaders solely prioritize the people’s welfare, political competition would be unnecessary.
– However, in reality, leaders are motivated by personal gain and may not always know or align with the people’s needs.
– To address this, a system is needed where leaders are rewarded for serving the people and punished for neglecting their duties.
– Electoral competition provides incentives for parties and leaders to address people’s concerns and work for their benefit.
– Even if leaders are primarily driven by a desire for power, electoral competition forces them to serve the people to maintain popularity and chances of victory.
– Political competition operates similarly to the market, where businesses must provide good service to retain customers.
– Despite its flaws, political competition ultimately compels parties and leaders to serve the people’s interests.

3.2 WHAT IS OUR SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS?

– Indian elections are held regularly every five years for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha (Assembly).
– After five years, the term of elected representatives ends and the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha stands dissolved.
– General elections are conducted in all constituencies simultaneously, either on the same day or within a few days.
– By-elections are held for specific constituencies to fill vacancies caused by the death or resignation of a member.

Electoral constituencies

– In India, elections follow an area-based system of representation.
– The country is divided into electoral constituencies for the purpose of elections.
– For Lok Sabha elections, there are 543 constituencies, and each constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP).
– Similarly, each state is divided into Assembly constituencies, and the elected representatives are called Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
– Each constituency, whether parliamentary or assembly, represents one seat in the respective legislative body.
– Panchayat and Municipal elections also follow a similar constituency-based system, with each village or town divided into wards that elect one member each.

Reserved Constituencies

– The Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to elect and be elected as a representative.
– Concerned about weaker sections facing disadvantages in open electoral competition, the Constitution introduced reserved constituencies.
– Reserved constituencies are designated for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) to ensure their representation in Parliament and Assemblies.
– Currently, 84 seats in the Lok Sabha are reserved for SC and 47 seats for ST, proportionate to their population share.
– Reservation was later extended to other weaker sections at the district and local levels, such as Other Backward Classes (OBC) and women.
– Rural and urban local bodies have one-third of their seats reserved for female candidates.

Voters’ list

– The preparation of the Electoral Roll or Voters’ List is crucial in ensuring equal opportunity for everyone to vote.
– Universal adult franchise guarantees that every citizen aged 18 years and older has the right to vote, regardless of caste, religion, or gender.
– Exceptions include some criminals and persons with unsound mind, but such cases are rare.
– The government is responsible for maintaining an updated voters’ list, adding new eligible voters and removing names of those who have moved or are deceased.
– The list undergoes a complete revision every five years.
– The introduction of the Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) aims to prevent voting on behalf of others, although it is not yet mandatory.
– Other identity proofs, like ration cards or driving licenses, can also be used for voting.

Nomination of candidates

– In a democratic election, there should be minimal restrictions on who can contest.
– Any voter who meets the minimum age requirement of 25 years old can become a candidate.
– Criminals may face restrictions in extreme cases.
– Political parties nominate candidates who receive party symbol and support.
– Candidates must fill a nomination form and provide a security deposit.
– A new system of declaration has been introduced, requiring candidates to disclose pending criminal cases, assets and liabilities, and educational qualifications.
– This information is made public, allowing voters to make informed decisions based on candidate information.

Election Campaign

– Election campaigns allow for open discussions about representatives, government, and policies.
– Campaigns typically occur during a two-week period before polling but are prepared for months in advance.
– Political parties use slogans to attract voters, such as “Garibi Hatao” by the Congress party in 1971 and “Save Democracy” by the Janata Party in 1977.
– Campaign regulations prohibit bribery, threats, appeals based on caste or religion, and misuse of government resources.
– The Model Code of Conduct sets additional guidelines for parties and candidates.
– On election day, voters go to polling booths, where they are identified, marked on the finger, and allowed to cast their vote.
– Agents of candidates observe the voting process to ensure fairness.

– Earlier, voters used to stamp ballot papers to indicate their choice of candidate.
– Nowadays, electronic voting machines (EVMs) are used, displaying candidate names and party symbols.
– Voters press a button against the candidate’s name to cast their vote.
– After polling, EVMs are sealed and taken to a secure place.
– On a fixed date, the EVMs are opened, and votes for each candidate are counted.
– Candidates’ agents ensure proper counting.
– The candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared elected.
– Counting of votes in all constituencies of a general election usually occurs simultaneously.
– Media outlets report the results within a few hours, determining the next government.

3.3 WHAT MAKES ELECTIONS IN INDIA DEMOCRATIC?

– Unfair practices in elections are frequently reported in newspapers and on television.
– Common allegations include false names on the voters’ list, the exclusion of genuine names, misuse of government resources by the ruling party, excessive use of money by wealthy candidates and parties, and voter intimidation and rigging on polling day.
– While these reports are concerning, they have not undermined the overall purpose of elections.

Independent Election Commission

– The fairness of elections can be determined by examining the independence of the election conducting body.
– In India, elections are conducted by an independent and powerful Election Commission (EC), similar to the judiciary.
– The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President but is not answerable to the government.
– The EC has wide-ranging powers and makes decisions on all aspects of elections, implements the Code of Conduct, and punishes violators.
– During elections, the EC can issue guidelines to prevent misuse of governmental power and has control over government officers on election duty.
– The EC has reprimanded the government and ordered repolls when necessary, demonstrating its independence and effectiveness.
– The EC’s independence and power contribute to the fairness and integrity of elections in India.

Popular participation

– Voter turnout in India has either remained stable or increased over the past fifty years, in contrast to Europe and North America, where turnout has declined.
– In India, there is higher voter participation among the poor, illiterate, and underprivileged, unlike western democracies, where wealthier individuals tend to vote more.
– Elections hold significant importance for common people in India, as they believe it enable them to exert pressure on political parties and influence policies.
– Interest in election-related activities has grown, with over one-third of voters participating in campaign-related activities during the 2004 elections.
– More than half of the people in India identify themselves as being affiliated with a political party, and one out of every seven voters is a member of a political party.

Acceptance of election outcome

– Ruling parties in India frequently lose elections at both the national and state levels, with the ruling party losing in two out of three elections held in the last 25 years.
– In the United States, incumbent elected representatives rarely lose elections, while in India, approximately half of the sitting MPs or MLAs (Members of Parliament or Members of Legislative Assembly) lose elections.
– Candidates who are known to have used money to buy votes or have criminal connections often face defeat in elections.
– The outcomes of elections in India are generally accepted as the “people’s verdict” by the defeated party, except for a few disputed elections.

Challenges to free and fair elections

Reforms to address the limitations and challenges of Indian elections:

– Stricter regulations on campaign financing to reduce the advantage of wealthy candidates.
– Implementing criteria to prevent candidates with criminal connections from contesting elections.
– Promoting internal democracy within political parties to ensure fair ticket distribution.
– Encouraging the emergence of alternative parties with distinct policies and practices.
– Providing support and equal opportunities for smaller parties and independent candidates.

Actions an ordinary citizen can take to face these challenges:

– Educate oneself about candidates, policies, and track records.
– Participate actively in political discussions and public meetings.
– Support grassroots movements advocating for electoral reforms.
– Demand accountability from elected representatives.
– Consider standing as an independent candidate to provide an alternative voice.