Chapter: Election and Representation

• Introduction to Elections

  • Meaning of Election
    • Mechanism to choose representatives
    • Core of Democratic Government
  • Why do we need elections?
    • Direct democracy is impractical for large populations
    • Peaceful transfer of power
    • Accountability of rulers to citizens

• Electoral Systems

  • First Past The Post (FPTP) System (Majority System)
    • How it works
      • Country divided into geographical constituencies
      • One representative elected per constituency
      • Candidate with the highest number of votes wins (not necessarily a majority)
    • Countries using FPTP: India, UK, Canada
  • Proportional Representation (PR) System
    • How it works
      • Entire country or large region as one constituency
      • Parties get seats in proportion to their vote share
    • Types of PR
      • Party-list system (e.g., Israel, Netherlands)
      • Single Transferable Vote (e.g., Rajya Sabha elections in India)
  • Why India adopted FPTP
    • Simplicity for a diverse and largely illiterate population
    • Clear choices for voters (stable government)
    • Avoids fragmentation of the party system

• Reservation of Constituencies

  • The Problem
    • Weaker sections might not win under normal FPTP due to social bias
  • The Solution
    • Reserved Constituencies for SCs and STs
  • Constitutional Provisions in India
    • Seats reserved in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies
    • Determined by the Delimitation Commission

• Free and Fair Elections

  • Role of the Election Commission of India (ECI)
    • Independent and autonomous body (Article 324)
    • Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Commissioners
    • Functions of ECI
      • Voter registration and EPIC (Voter ID)
      • Notification of election dates
      • Code of Conduct enforcement
      • Conducting free, fair, and peaceful polls
  • Universal Adult Franchise
    • Right to vote for all adult citizens (Article 326)
    • No discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, or wealth
  • Right to Contest
    • Every adult citizen has the right to run for elections (with minimum age criteria)

• Electoral Reforms in India

  • Need for Reforms
    • Money power and muscle power
    • Criminalization of politics
    • Dynastic politics
  • Major Recommendations & Steps
    • State funding of elections
    • Ban on criminal background candidates
    • Strict regulation of political party finances
    • Use of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) and VVPAT