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Lijin Golden
ELECTORAL POLTICS

Major Areas of this Chapter
1. General Aspects regarding with
Election
 A Election Report in Haryana
Chaudhary Devi Lal
Nyaya Yudh Movement
Formation of Lok Dal political party
 Importance of Election
Meaning of Election
Choices getting to a voter
 Features of Democratic Election
 Is it good, a political competition in Democracy

2. Indian Election System (Process
and
Prodedures)
 How we can called Indian Election are democratic?
 General, By, Midterm Election
 Electoral Constituencies
 Reserved Constituency
 Voters List
 Nomination of Candidates
 Educational qualification of candidates
 Election Campaign
 Polling and Counting of Votes

3. How we can call Election in India is a
Democratic
 Unfair election practices
 Independent Election Commission
 Participation in the Election
 Acceptance of Election Result
 Challenges of free and fair elections

Chaudhary Devi Lal & Lok Dal
Party
 Chaudhary Devi Lal was an opposition leader in
Haryana
 He started a movement called “Nyaya Yudh”-
Struggle for Justice.
 He formed a party- Lok Dal
 His party joined with other opposition party against
the Congress
 In the election campaign he gave the promises if
they will get a chance to form government would
waive loan for farmers and small businessmen.
 He promised that this would be the first action of
his government.
 The people were unhappy in the existing

 In 1987 State Assembly Election- Lok Dal and his
party won 76 out of 90, Lok Dal alone won 60,
Congress got 5 seats only
 The existing chief minister has resigned and
Governor invited Devi Lal to be the new Chief
Minister
 As soon as he became the chief minister,
government issued loans of small farmers,
agricultural labourers and small businessmen.
 Party ruled Haryana in the next four years.
 In the next election in 1991, the Congress won the
election and formed the government.

What do you mean by Election?
The election is a mechanism in which the
people can choose their representatives at
regular intervals and change them if they
wish to do so. This mechanism is called
Election

Why do we need Election in
Democracy?
 The large countries like India, practically it is not
possible for people to sit together every day and
take all the decisions.
 Nor everyone has the time and knowledge to take
decisions on all matters.
 So in most democracies people rule through their
representatives.
 Election provides a mechanism by which people
can choose their representatives at regular
intervals and change them if they wish to do so.
 So election are essential in any representative
democracy.

Which are the choices getting a Voter
during the time of Election
1. They can choose who will make laws for
them.
2. They can chose who will form the
government and take major decisions.
3. They can choose the party whose policies
will guide the government and law
making.

What makes an Election
Democratic?
(Or)
Features of Democratic Election
1. Everyone should be able to choose: It
means that everyone should have one vote
and every vote should have equal value.
2. There should be something to choose:
the Parties and Candidate should be free to
contest elections and should offer some
real choice to the voters.

3. The Choice should be offered at regular
intervals: Election must be held regularly
after every few years.
4. The candidate preffered by the people
should get elected.
5. Election should be conducted in a free
and fair manner: The people can choose
as they really wish.

Various forms of Political
Competition
1. Competition among several candidates for Party
Tickets.
2. Competition for Top Positions in the Party
3. Competition among political Parties
4. Competition between several candidates at
Constituency level.
(If there is no competition, election will become
pointless)

Demerits of Political (Electoral)
Competition in India
1. It creates a sense of disunity and factionalism
in every locality.
2. Different political parties and leaders often put
allegations against one another.
3. Parties and candidates often use dirty tricks to
win the election
4. Pressure to win electoral fights does not allow
sensible long term policies to be formulated.
(But some good people who may wish to serve the
country do not enter this field).

Merits of Political (Electoral)
Competition
1. Regular electoral competition provides
incentives to political parties and leaders.
2. They know that if they raise issues that people
want to be raised, their popularity and chance of
victory will increase in the next election. If they
fail, they can’t to win the next election.
3. If any party is motivated only by desires to be in
power, even then it will be forced to serve the
people.
4. Political competition may cause divisions and
ugliness, but it finally helps to force political
parties and leaders to serve people.

How we can called Indian Election are
Democratic?
1. Universal Adult Franchise: All the adult citizens they
are getting a right to vote and each persons they have
“One vote must carry one Value”.
2. Electoral Choice: Competition between political
parties and between various candidates. One party
system is opposed the spirit of democracy
3. Elections at Regular Intervals: There are periodic
elections in democracy
4. Free and fair Election: In a democracy voters are not
subject to pressure or fear. They can choose the
candidate according to their own wish

Different Types of Election in India
(Or)
Difference between- General, By and
Midterm Election
General Election
The Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha (State Assembly)
election are held regularly every five years. The Lok
Sabha or Vidhan Sabha stands dissolved. Election
are held in all constituencies at the same time,
either on the same day or within few days.
First General Election was held in : 1952
15th Lok Sabha Election held in : April- May 2009.

By- Election
The election is held only for one constituency to fill the
vacancy caused by death or resignation of a member.
This is called By- Election
Midterm Election
The Lok Sabha or State Assembly may be dissolved
before its term of five years is before, midterm poll is
required to constitute a new House. In fact the
expression midterm Election has no legal significance,
because election to the Lok Sabha is invariably called a
General Election

Meaning- Electoral
Constituencies
In India we are following an area based system
of representation. For this purpose Country is
divided into different areas for the purpose of
election. These areas are called Electoral
Constituencies.
For Lok Sabha election, the country is divided
into 543 Constituencies. The representative
elected from each constituency is called a
Member of Parliament or MP

Each state is divided into a specific number of
Assembly Constituencies. The elected
representative is called the Member of
Legislative Assembly or MLA
In the Municipal and Panchayat election, each
village or town is divided into several wards like
constituencies.
Some times these constituencies are counted as
‘Seats’, Each constituency represent one seat in
the assembly
Eg: Lok Dal won 60 seats in Haryana, it means that
candidate of Lok Dal won in 60 assembly
constituencies.

What is the meaning of Reserved
Constituency?
In India some Constituencies are reserved for
people who belong to the Scheduled Castes
(SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
In a SC reserved constituency only someone who
belongs to the Scheduled castes can stand for
election.
Similarly those who are belonging to the Scheduled
Tribes can stand for election
Scheduled Caste reservation: 79 Seats (84)
Scheduled Tribe Constituency: 41 Seats (47)

Why do we need Reserved
Constituencies?
Indian Constitution ensures every citizen to elect its
representatives and to be elected as a
representative. Indian Constitution makers made a
special system of reserved constituencies for
Weaker Section to get elected to the Lok Sabha
and State Legislative Assembly. Because they
have of lack of resources, education and contacts
to contest and win election against others. So
some constituencies are reserved for Scheduled
Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). In many
states seats in local bodies (Village and
Municipalities) are reserved for Other Backward

Meaning of Voters’ List and its
importance in Democratic Election
In a democratic election the list of people eligible to
vote is prepared much before the election. This list
is officially called the Electoral Roll and is
commonly known as the Voter’s List. This is the
important step and linked to the first condition of
democratic election.
The electoral roll is normally revised every year to
add the names of those who are to turn 18 on the
1st January of that year or have moved into a
constituency and to remove the names of those
who have died or moved out of the constituency. A

Election Photo Identity Card
(EPIC)
This is a new system introduced by the Election
Commission. The government has tried to give this
card to every person on the Voters List. The Voters
are required to carry this card when they go out to
vote. So that no one can vote for someone else.
But the card is not yet compulsory for voting. For
voting, the voters can show many other proofs of
identity like ration card or driving license.

Nomination of Candidates
 In a democratic Election people should have a real choices
and there is no restriction to anyone to contest in the
election.
 Anyone who can be a voter can also become a candidate
in election.
 The only difference is that in order to be a candidate the
minimum age is 25 years, while it is only 18 years for
being a voter.
 Another one restriction those who are criminals in
extreme case can’t contest in the election.
 The political parties nominate their candidates who get the
party symbols and support.
 Party’s nomination is often called- ‘Party Ticket’

Recently Supreme Court declared a new direction for the
candidates. Every candidates needs to give a legal
declaration about
1. Serious criminal cases pending against the
candidates
2. Details of the assets and liabilities of the
candidate and his or her family
3. Educational qualification of the candidate
This information has to be made public. This provides an
opportunity to the voters to make their decision on the
basis of the information provided by the candidate

Educational Qualification of the
Candidates
1. Educational Qualification are not relevant to all kinds of
the job. Similarly the relevant qualification for being an
MLA or MP is the ability to understand people’s concerns,
problems and to represent their interest. Whether they
can do so or not is examined by lakhs of examiners- their
voters- every five years.
2. Even if the education was relevant, it should be left to the
people to decide how much importance they give to
educational qualifications.
3. In India putting an educational qualification would go
against the spirit of democracy for yet another reason. It
would mean depriving a majority of the country’s citizen
the right to contest the election. If any graduate degree

Need of Election Campaign in a
Democratic form of Government
 In India election campaigns take place for a two week
period between the announcement of the final list of
candidates and the date of polling.
 During this period the candidates contact their voters,
political leaders address election meetings and
political parties mobilise their supporters. The
publicity is done through news papers, television
channels, election meetings, posters etc.
 In election campaigns, political parties try to focus
public attention on some big issues for which usually
catchy slogans are created to attract people’s
attention

Demerits of Election Campaign
1. It creates a sense of disunity and factionalism in
every locality
2. Different political parties and leaders often put
allegations against one another.
3. Parties and Candidates often use dirty tricks to
win the election
4. Pressure to win electoral fights does not allow
sensible long term policies to be formulated
5. Some good people who may wish to serve the
country do not enter this field.

Some Catchy Slogans used by some
political parties during the time of
Election
 Garibi Hatao (Remove Poverty)- The Congress
party led by Indira Gabdhi in the Lok Sabha Election-
1971.
 Save democracy- Janata Party during the Lok Sabha
Election in 1977 election. The party promises restore
civil liberties happened during the time of emergency.
 Land to the Tiller- Left Front in West Bengal State
Assembly election- 1977.
 Protect the Self Respect of the Telugus- N.T.
Rama Rao, the leader of Telugu Desam Party in AP
State Assembly Election- 1988

According to the Election Law the
Party and Candidates can’t to
do………..
In democracy it is best to leave political parties and
candidates free to conduct their election campaign the
way they want to do. But some times necessary to
regulate campaigns to ensure that every political party
and candidate gets a fair and equal chance to
compete. According to our election law, no party or
candidate can’t to do
1. Bribe or threaten voters.
2. Appeal to them in the name of Caste and
Religion
3. Use government resources for election
campaign
4. Spend more than 25 lakh in a constituency for
Lok Sabha electionand 10 lakh in the State

According to the Code of Conduct
the Parties and Candidates can’t to
do…….
In addition to the Election Laws, all the political parties in our
country have to agreed to a model Code of Conduct.
According to this no party or candidate’s can’t to do
1. Use any place of worship for election propaganda
2. Use government vehicles, aircrafts and officials for
elections.
3. Once elections are announced, ministers shall not
lay foundation stones of any projects, take any big
policy decisions or make any promises of providing
public facilities

What Makes Indian Election Democratic?
(Or)
How we can say Indian Election is free
and fair?
1. Independent Election Commission
2. Mass level Popular Participation
3. Acceptance of Election Result
4. Free and Free Election

Independent Election Commission
 In India elections are conducted by an independent and
powerful autonomous Election Commission.
 The president of India appointing the Chief Election
Commissioner (CEC) and two other Election
Commissioner for a six years of period.
 It enjoys the same kind of independence that the
judiciary enjoys.
 But once appointed the Election commission is not
answerable to the president or government.
 Even if the ruling party or the government does not like
what commission does, it is impossible for to remove
the CEC and they need to obey.

Functions of Election Commission in India
1. EC takes decision on every aspect of conduct and
control of election from the announcement of
election to the declaration of results.
2. It implements the code of conduct and punishes
any candidate or party that violates it.
3. It can also order the government to follow some
guideline, to prevent use and misuse of
governmental power to enhance its chance to win
elections, or to transfer some governmental
officials
4. When on the election duty, government officers
work under the control of the EC and not the
government.
5. To give an advice to the President on some
certain issues.

Mass Level Popular
participation
 Peoples participation in election is usually measured by
voter turnout figures. Turnout indicates the percentage
of eligible voters who actually cast their vote. In the last
fifty years, the turnout in Europe and North America has
declined. In India the turnout has either remained stable
or actually gone up.
( See the graph- Figure 1, page No:70)
 In India illiterate, poor and underprivileged people vote
in larger portion as compared to rich and privileged
section. This is a contrast to compare with western
countries. In USA the poor, Afro Americans and
Hispanics vote much less than the rich and white
people.

 Common people in India attach a lot of importance to
elections. They feel that through elections they can bring
pressure on political partries to adopt policies and
programmes favorable to them. They also feel that their
vote matters in the way things are run in the country
(See the diagram - Figure 3, Page No: 71)
 The interest of the voters in election related activities has
been increasing over the years. In 2004 election, more
than one third voters took part in campaign related
activities. More than half of the people identified
themselves as being close to one or the other political
party. One out of every seven voters is member of a
political party.
(See the graph- figure 4, page no: 71)

Acceptance of Election Result
If the election are not free and fair, the outcome always
favours the powerful. In such situation the ruling parties do
not lose election and losing party does not accept the
outcome of a rigged election
The outcome of India’s election speaks it self
1. The ruling parties routinely lose elections in India both at
national and state level. Every two out of three elections
held in the last fifteen years, the ruling party lost.
2. In USA, an incumbent or sitting elected representatives
rarely loses an election. In India about half of the sitting
MP and MLA lose elections
3. Candidate who are known to have spent a lot of money
on buying voters and those with criminal connection often
lose election

Free and Fair Election
Indian election are basically free and fair. The party that
wins an election and forms government . But in some
constituencies a few candidates may win purely on
the basis of money power and unfair means. But the
overall verdict of a general election still reflects
popular reference. However many limitations and
challenges in Indian election for to conduct the free
and fair election in India.

Challenges of free and fair election in
India
1. Candidates and parties with lot of money may not be
sure of their victory but they do enjoy a big and unfair
advantages over smaller parties and independence.
2. In some parts of the country, candidates with criminal
connection have been able to push others out of the
electoral race and to secure the ticket from major
parties.
3. Some families rend to dominate political parties; tickets
are distributed to relatives from these families.
4. Very often elections offer little choice to ordinary
citizens, for both the major parties are quite similar to
each other both in policies and practice.
5. Smaller parties and independent candidates suffer a
huge disadvantages compared to bigger parties.

Short Notes About
1. Booth Capturing: Supporters or hired musclemen of
party or a candidate gain physical control of a polling
booth and cast false votes by threatening everyone
or by preventing genuine voters from reaching the
polling booth.
2. Code of Conduct: A set of norms and guidelines to
be followed by political parties and contesting
candidates during election time
3. Constituency: Voters in a geographical area who
elect a representative to the legislative bodies.
4. Incumbent: The current holder of a political office.
Usually the choices for the voters in elections is
between the incumbent party or candidate and those

5. Level Playing Field: Condition in which all parties and
candidates contesting in an election have equal
opportunities to appeal for votes and to carry out
election campaign.
6. Rigging: Fraud and malpractices indulged by a party or
candidate to increase its votes. It includes stuffing ballot
boxes by a few persons using the votes of others;
recording multiple votes by the same person; and
bribing or coercing polling officers to favour a candidate.
7. Turnout : The percentage of eligible voters who cast
their votes in an election

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