SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS

Our Election System 

• First a voters list is compiled.
• Then the election date is announced.
• The country is divided into constituencies for purpose of elections.
• There are separate constituencies for centre and state legislature.
• The voters have to elect one representative for the Lok Sabha from each constituency (Lok Sabha has 543 constituencies), called Member of Parliament. The constituencies are formed on basis of population.
• Similarly, each state is divided into constituencies and a specific number of members called Members of the Legislative Assembly are elected.
• Sometimes the constituencies are called as seats.
• The dates of General Elections are announced.
• Each party declares its Manifesto and prepares a list of nominations.

Reserved Constituencies :

• Constitution has a special system of reserved constituencies for the weaker sections.
• Constituencies are kept reserved for scheduled castes (84) and scheduled tribes. (47)
• At local and district level the reservation system is extended to other weaker sections like women and OBC.

Election Campaign :

• Political parties try to focus public attention to bigger issues during election campaign.
• In election campaign, the political parties have to agree for a model ‘code of conduct’.

Independent Election Commission :

In India, elections are conducted by an independent and very powerful Election commission.

In last few years voter are participating in election-related activities on a fairer scale.

In India, election outcome is accepted generally peaceful way as people’s verdict.

There are many challenges to free and fair elections