Election System in India: A Representative Democracy

India has a representative democracy system. In India, Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha general elections are held regularly every five years. General elections encompass all constituencies simultaneously, while By-elections fill vacancies in individual constituencies that have happened due to the death or resignation of a member.

Election System in India: A Closer Look at Constituency Representation and Equal Voting Values

• Constituency Wise Representation: Election system in India follow an Area-Based System of Representation. 
• Electoral Constituencies: The country is divided into Electoral Constituencies (Unit areas for purposes of elections) for both Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. 
• Example: For Lok Sabha elections, the country is divided into 543 constituencies.
• Member of Parliament: The representative elected from each constituency is called a Member of Parliament or an MP.
• Member of the Legislative Assembly: Similarly, the representative elected from each constituency in the state Assembly election is called a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). 
• Equal Representation: These constituencies ensure the equal value of votes and equal representation of the people’s interests.

Reserving Representation: Revealing the Dynamics of Election System in India

• Historical Context: India’s history of caste-based discrimination led to concerns over fair representation. 
  • Before independence, ‘separate electorates’ were introduced by the British government, but this was debated.  This system influenced the later development of the election system in India. 
  • The Constitution opted for a system of ‘reserved constituencies,‘ where all voters are eligible, but only candidates from specific communities or social sections can contest in reserved seats.
• Disadvantages of FPTP for Smaller Social Groups: The First Past the Post (FPTP) can disadvantage smaller social groups, especially in India’s diverse and historically caste-based society. 
  • Dominant social groups often secure victories across constituencies, while marginalized ones remain underrepresented.
• Significance of Reservation: Reserved constituencies ensure representation for dispersed social groups that might lack individual influence in a constituency but are significant collectively. 
  • The Constitution reserves seats for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies based on their population share.
• Extent of Reservation: Of the 543 elected Lok Sabha seats, 84 are reserved for SC and 47 for ST. 
  • The Delimitation Commission, an independent body appointed by the President and working with the Election Commission, decides the quota of reserved constituencies in each State, shaping election system in India 
• Delimitation Process: The Delimitation Commission defines constituency boundaries nationwide. It reserves constituencies for ST based on the highest proportion of ST population. 
  • For SC, the Commission considers both higher SC population and regional distribution due to their even dispersion.
• Rotation of Reserved Constituencies: Reserved constituencies can be rotated in each delimitation exercise. 
  • The aim is to provide equitable opportunities for marginalized groups across regions.
• Absence of Similar Reservations: The Constitution doesn’t provide similar reservations for other disadvantaged groups. 
  • However, there’s growing demand for reserving one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, considering the limited female representation.
• Women’s Reservation: Although reservations exist for women in local bodies, extending this to higher legislative bodies requires a constitutional amendment. 

The Dynamics of Voter Eligibility and Inclusive Voting in election system in India

• It is a list of those who are eligible to vote in the election.
• Universal Adult Franchise: It ensures that all citizens have equal voting rights, adhering to the principle of universal adult franchise.
• Inclusive Voting Rights: In India, citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote, irrespective of their caste, religion, or gender. 
• Exceptions for Criminals: While most citizens can vote, exceptions are made for criminals and individuals with unsound minds to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
• Voter List Maintenance: It continuously adds newly eligible voters while removing those who relocate or pass away to keep the list current, contributing to the efficiency of the election system in India. 
• Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC): It is introduced to enhance the accuracy of voting. 
  • It aids in proper identification during the voting process. 
• Identification during Voting: Alternative proofs of identity, like ration cards, are also accepted to facilitate voting.

Candidate Nomination and Educational Dynamics in election System in india

• Real Choices in Elections: Democratic elections require real choices with minimal restrictions on candidates.
• Candidate Eligibility: Any eligible voter can become a candidate with a minimum age of 25 for the general elections.
• Nomination of Candidates: Political parties nominate candidates, granting them party symbols and support.
  • Candidates submit nomination forms and a security deposit.
• Legal Declarations: Supreme Court-directed system mandates legal declarations by candidates about:
  • Any pending serious criminal cases.
  • Their family’s assets and liabilities.
  • Educational qualifications.
• Transparency for Voters: Declared information is made public, enabling voters to decide based on candidate-provided data.

Inside India’s Elections: Understanding How Campaigns Shape Democracy

The Polling and Vote Counting Process in Election system in India

• On election day, voters cast their votes at polling booths.
• Identification, finger-marking, and fair voting process supervised by officials and candidate agents.
• Election system in India follow traditional paper ballots with candidate names and symbols or Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used.
• EVMs display candidate names, and party symbols; voters press buttons for chosen candidates.
• After voting, sealed EVMs were stored securely.
• On a set date, EVMs open, and votes are counted in front of candidate agents.
• The winning candidate has the highest constituency votes; election results are reported through the media.