Power of Electorates 1-Refendum 2-Initiative 3-Plebiscite 4-Recall Elections Types of elections Methods of voting

1. Powers Of Electorate : Direct Legislation
 Election of Representatives for different political offices.
 In some countries directly involved in legislation through Referendum & initiative.
 Switzerland. In small Cantons people gather at some place, enact laws, make important
decisions, appoint public officials and formulate tax policies. PUNCHAYAT SYSTEM.
 Referendum.That right of electorate by virtue of which they ratify or reject laws passed by
legislature. For amendment in the constitution & enactment of laws.
 A. Compulsory. In SWL federal legislature is bound to hold referendum for any amendment
in the constitution. .(SWL joined UN membership in March 2002 )
 B. Optional. Any alteration in any proposed law can be initiated by a specific number of
electorates.( Under 1962 constitution in Pakistan, any constitutional amendment was to be
ratified by BD members.
 Referendum is an effective to ol in the hands of people to block undesirable legislation.
 In Pakistan Referendum can be held on any issue of national importance. ( Zia ul Haq 1984)

2. •Initiative. That power of electorate by virtue of which they can initiate any
proposal to amend old laws or enact new laws. A general practice in SWL.
• Initiative is like a sword through which they can get the enactment of new laws
•Plebiscite. A method through which electorates can express their views
about a particular issue. Plebiscite is normally held to know the public opinion
& general will of the people. UN announced in 1948 to hold a plebiscite in
Kashmir.
•Recall. The power of electorates to remove the elected representatives prior
to the termination of their tenure and substitution with newly elected
representatives.There is a specific method for this practice.
• Recall is generally disliked as it can be used for political blackmailing. Political
people, members of executive and civil servants including judges feel insecure
and can’t perform their duties with full devotion.

3. •The Elections
• Free & fair elections are a basic requirement for the success of Democracy.
• The conduct of free election depends upon the administrative machinery.
• It requires an efficient & vigilant civil service, independent & upright judges &
sound public opinion. Special staff is recruited for the conduct of elections.
• In Pakistan Election commission Of Pakistan is responsible for the conduct of
elections. It has some permanent employees but mostly hired during the
elections. It has its branches in all the provinces, divisional and district head
quarters. It is imperative for all civil, judicial & military personals to cooperate
with the election commission for the conduct of free & fair elections.
• Elections in Pakistan are always under criticism. Every political party who
wins elections call it free & fair but the loosing party never accept its defeat.
• As a result elections in Pakistan are always controversial.
• Mostly political, civil & military establishment is held responsible for it.

4. •Direct & Indirect Elections
•Direct. The system of election adopted by most of the countries.
• The electorates directly elect their representatives on the basis of one man,
one vote. General elections in Pakistan, India, Uk etc are held in this way.
•Indirect. The electorates initially elect an electoral college, which elects
the representatives. US President is elected through an indirect election.
• Members of Senate in Pakistan & President are elected through this method.
President is elected by the parliament & 4 provincial assemblies, while the
members of the Senate are elected by their respective provincial assembly on
the basis of proportional representation.
• However indirect elections are regarded contradictory to the spirit of
democracy.

5. •Methods OfVoting
•1.Secret & Open Ballot
• Secret Ballot System is the most popular system of voting in modern
democracies.The voters cast their votes to their favorite candidates secretly.
The voters put a mark or stamp on the list of candidates & put the ballot
paper in a sealed box.
• In an other method separate ballot papers & Boxes are provided for the
election of more than one candidates.These sealed boxes are opened by the
Returning officer in the presence of the polling agents of all the candidates.
Votes are counted and the results are compiled.
• Open Ballot System.Voters express their choice by show of hands. Its
supporters criticize the secret ballot system by saying that voters can misuse
their votes under pressure or by taking bribe or any other illegal mean.This
system exists in Denmarkm Russia & some other countries.

6. •2. AbsentVoting. In some countries voters can cast their votes by
post, if they are sick, physically disable, away from their place or serving at
another place. Civil & Military officials are also given this right. Pakistan, UK,
India & other countries give this right to their citizens
• CompulsoryVoting. Casting a vote is regarded as the discretion of the voter,
but it is a moral obligation to cast the vote. In some countries abstaining from
vote casting is regarded as cognizable offence.Voter has to justify the
reasons, otherwise , can be punished.This system prevails in 21 countries
including 10 Latin American countries.
• Absolute majority Principal. Generally candidates securing majority of the
total casting votes are declared successful. But there is every possibility that a
candidate may be elected by minority votes. It normally happens when the
number of candidates exceeds. Absolute majority principal is introduced to
avoid this anomaly.
(A) Second Ballot. (USA, France, Germany).
(B) Alternate vote System