Election Process

So finally, the elections are knocking the doors in one of the largest democracies in the world, India. The 2019 elections will mark the 17^th General Elections in the country since Independence. The various provisions regarding the electoral system is mentioned in Part – XV of the Constitution covering Articles – 324 to 329. In this article I am going to talk about the election process.

Time of Elections

Ø  Elections of Lok Sabha (General Elections) and State Legislative Assembly (State Elections) takes place every 5 years, unless called earlier.

Ø  The President can dissolve Lok Sabha and call a General Election before the completion of term in two cases –

1.       If the Government can no longer command the confidence of the Lok Sabha. It means the current government is not able to prove majority in the house.

2.       If there is no alternative government available to take over. So, suppose the present government fails to prove the party’s or its alliance’s majority in the house and there are no other parties or alliances with the required number of seats, then fresh elections will take place.

Schedule of Elections

Ø  There can be no longer than 6 months between the last session of the dissolved Lok Sabha and the recalling of the house. So, election must take place between that time.

Ø  The Election Commission of India announces the schedule of elections a few weeks before the actual process starts to take place. The Model Code of Conduct of candidates and parties comes into effect immediately.

Ø  The actual process starts with the Notifications calling upon the electorate to elect members of the house. Now, candidates can start filling their nominations in the constituencies. These nominations are analysed by the Returning Officer (Responsible for the conduct of elections, nominated by Election Commission of India) of that constituency after about one week from the date of the nominations.

Ø  The candidates can withdraw within TWO DAYS from the scrutiny.

Ø  The contesting candidates get at least TWO WEEKS of political campaigns before the actual poll and ends 48 hours before polling closes.

Ø  Due to massive size of the electorate, polling is held on several different days with a separate date for counting and results by the concerned Returning Officer. The Commission compiles the complete list of elected members. The President in case of Lok Sabha and The Governor in case of State Assemblies can then convene their houses to hold their sessions.

Oath or Affirmation

Ø  It is necessary for a candidate to make or subscribe an oath or affirmation (statement) before the Returning and the Assistant Returning Officer. The candidate in person is required to make oath or affirmation immediately after presenting his/her nomination and in any case not later than the day previous to the date of the scrutiny.

Election Campaign

Ø  The Model Code of Conduct lays down guidelines to how the political parties and candidates should conduct themselves to maintain a healthy environment and to avoid clashes. The Model Conduct also prescribes to the ruling party to ensure a proper conduct of elections.

Ø  Parties issue manifestos detailing the programmes they wish to implement after forming the government. Slogans, posters, pamphlets, rallies and promises are made to identify issues, cajole supporters and gaining as much votes as possible.

Voting Procedure

Ø  Previously voting was done by using Ballot Papers. After the list of nomination of candidates are completed, a ballot paper was printed with the names of the candidates and symbols allotted to them. Candidates of recognized parties are allotted their party symbols. The voter marks with a rubber stamp who he/she thinks is suitable to win the seat. The voter then folds the paper and inserts it in the common ballot box.

Ø  Nowadays, EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) have become more common. EVMs eliminates the possibility of invalid and doubtful votes, makes counting faster and saves large quantity of papers.

Supervising Elections

Ø  The Election Commission appoints a large number of Observers to ensure that the campaign is conducted fairly, and the people are free to choose whoever they want.

Ø  Election expenditure Observers check the amount each candidate and party spend on the election.

Counting of Votes

Ø  The votes are counted under the supervision of Returning Officers and Observers. The Returning Officer declares the name of the candidate to whom the largest number of votes have been given.

Media Coverage

Ø  In order to bring transparency, media persons are given special passes to enter polling stations to cover the poll process and the counting halls.

Election Petitions

Ø  An elector or Candidate can file a petition if he/she thinks there has been malpractice during the election. These petitions are tried by the High Court and if upheld can lead to restaging the election in that constituency.

So, these were the elements of the election process. As simple as it sounds, it is very difficult to conduct elections in a proper on such a huge scale. But despite that, we have been able to conduct a free and fair elections which is possible because of the efforts of everyone.