Electoral Politics - created from Mind Map

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Why Elections

System Of Election

What Makes Elections Democratic?

Significance of Elections

Choices of the Voters

Democratization of Elections

Political Competition

Everyone cannot take all the decisions together<br><br><ul><li>Rule of the people is impossible without elections since everyone cannot sit together and take rule the nation</li><li>The same people may not have the time or knowledge to take such decisions for the good of the nation. Hence we elect representatives.</li></ul>

Parties fight election<br><br><ul><li>The winning party rules as the government, the party must be elected</li></ul>

If the Government fails then the people can change it

They bring change through elections, hence people can exercise control over the government

Choose the party who policies will construct the government

Choose who makes laws for them

Choose who will form the gov. and take major decisions

Adult Franchise

There should be real choice for the voters<br><br><ul><li>Parties or candidates should be allowed to contest freely in elections</li></ul>

Elections should be held at regular intervals<br><br><ul><li>To allow the people to change the current government or bring in a new one. </li></ul>

Candidate who wins the favour of the people should get elected

Elections should be free and fair<br><br><ul><li>People should be able to choose woh they really want to be elected. </li></ul>

Merits

De-Merits

It incentivizes parties and political leaders to deliver on their promises to win the next elections.

Forces political parties to serve the people

Promotes Factionism<br><br><ul><li>Creates a sense of disunity in every locality</li></ul>

Unethical Methods<br><br><ul><li>Parties use unethical methods to win elections</li></ul>

Aggressive Allegations<br><br><ul><li>Political leaders and competing candidates often level allegations against one another</li></ul>

Winning elections stifles long-term policy formulation

Constituencies<br><br><ul><li>The country is divided into 543 different constituencies. From each a MP is elected for the Lok Sabha</li></ul>

Candidates<br><br><ul><li>A candidate must be 25 years of age.</li></ul>

Election Campaign

Reserved Constituencies

May not have required resources, education, contacts

Powerful people may prevent them from winning elections

Causing Inequality in the parliament

Requirements from Candidates

Criminal Cases against the candidate

Assets and Liabilities<br><br><ul><li>of the candidate and his/her family</li></ul>

Education Qualifications

Slogans

Election Law

Code of Conduct

Garibi Hatao<br><br><ul><li>Used by Indira Ghandi led Congress in 1971 Lok Sabha elections.</li></ul>

Save Democracy<br><br><ul><li>Used by Janta party in the Lok Sabha elections in 1977</li></ul>

Land to the Tiller<br><br><ul><li>Used by the Left Front in the WB assembly elections of 1977</li></ul>

Spend >25 Lakh<br><br><ul><li>in a lok sabha election and more then 10 lakh in a assembly election</li></ul>

Appeal to Voters in the name of caste or religion

Bribe or Threaten Voters

Use government resources for election campaign

Use a place of worship for election propaganda

Use government vehicles, aircraft and officials for elections

No new projects<br><br><ul><li>No new projects should be started once the elections are announced</li></ul>

Election Commission<br><br><ul><li>It is an independent body that is not answerable to the government or any party.</li></ul>

Popular Participation of People

Acceptance of Election Outcome

Challenges of a Free and Fair Election

Implements code of Conduct

Governmental Orders<br><br><ul><li>During Elections the EC can order the government to follow some guidelines to protect against parties&#x27; use of government resources.</li></ul>

Power over Gov. Officials<br><br><ul><li>For election duty Gov. officials work under the EC and not the government</li></ul>

Measured by turnout Figures

Interest in Elections has grown significantly from the previous years

The result of the election is not accepted by the losing party if they feel that the election is rigged and unfair

Big parties have an unfair advantage over smaller parties

Some families tend to dominate the election landscape

Candidates with criminal connection have been able to secure a ticket from major parties

Choice is limited to the common citizen as both parties are quite similar