Class 9 Civics Notes: Electoral Politics
Class 9 Civics Notes: Electoral Politics
Welcome back to our Class 9 Civics study series! Today, we are exploring Chapter 4: Electoral Politics.
In Chapter 2, we learned that in a democracy, it is neither possible nor necessary for people to govern directly. Instead, people rule through their elected representatives. But how do we choose these representatives? We do it through elections.
In this chapter, we will learn why elections are necessary, how political competition works, and the entire step-by-step process of how an election is conducted in India—from the drawing of boundaries to the final counting of votes. Let’s dive in!
1. Why Do We Need Elections?
Imagine a democracy without elections. All the people would have to sit together every single day to take every single decision. In a large country like India, this is physically impossible. Also, not everyone has the time or knowledge to take decisions on all matters. Therefore, people choose their representatives to rule on their behalf.
The Story of Haryana (1987)
The NCERT book starts with the story of the Haryana state assembly elections. The state had been ruled by a Congress-led government since 1982.
Chaudhary Devi Lal, an opposition leader, led a movement called Nyaya Yudh (Struggle for Justice) and formed a new party, Lok Dal.
During the election campaign, he made a massive promise: if his party won, he would waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen.
People were unhappy with the existing government and loved this promise. They voted overwhelmingly in favor of Lok Dal and its partners, winning 76 out of 90 seats!
The sitting Chief Minister resigned, and Devi Lal became the new Chief Minister, immediately fulfilling his promise. However, in the next election in 1991, his party lost, and the Congress came back to power.
What does this story teach us?
Elections can lead to changes in government policy.
The party that wins forms the government.
If people are unhappy with the government, they can vote it out in the next election.
2. What Makes an Election Democratic?
Elections are held in many non-democratic countries too (like we saw in China in the previous chapter). So, what makes an election truly democratic? Here are the minimum conditions:
Everyone should have one vote, and every vote should have equal value. (Universal Adult Franchise).
There should be something to choose from. Parties and candidates must be free to contest elections and offer real choices to the voters.
Elections must be held regularly (every few years).
The candidate preferred by the people should get elected.
Elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner.
Is Political Competition Good?
Elections are all about political competition. Sometimes, this competition causes disunity, "party politics," and dirty tricks to win votes. Some good people don't enter politics because they hate this unhealthy competition.
However, the Constitution makers opted for free competition anyway. Why? Because political leaders are like any other professionals. They are motivated by the desire to advance their political careers. Even if a politician doesn't truly care about the people, the fear of losing the next election forces them to serve the people. If they do bad work, they will be voted out!
3. What is Our System of Elections?
In India, Lok Sabha (national) and Vidhan Sabha (state) elections are held regularly every five years. The step-by-step process looks like this:
A. Electoral Constituencies
India is divided into different areas for purposes of elections. These areas are called constituencies.
The voters who live in an area elect one representative.
For the Lok Sabha, the country is divided into 543 constituencies. The representative elected is called a Member of Parliament (MP).
Each state is divided into a specific number of Assembly constituencies. The representative is called a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA).
B. Reserved Constituencies
Our Constitution makers worried that in an open competition, weaker sections (like Dalits and Adivasis) might not get elected to the parliament because they lack resources and education.
To ensure fair representation, some constituencies are reserved for people who belong to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Currently, in the Lok Sabha, 84 seats are reserved for the SC and 47 for the ST. In a reserved constituency, only someone belonging to that specific category can stand for election.
C. Voters’ List (Electoral Roll)
Once the constituencies are decided, the next step is to decide who can and cannot vote. In India, all citizens aged 18 years and above can vote.
The list of those eligible to vote is prepared much before the election and given to everyone. This is officially called the Electoral Roll, commonly known as the Voters' List.
To vote, you need an Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC), though other ID proofs like a ration card or driving license can also be used at the polling booth.
D. Nomination of Candidates
Anyone who can be a voter can also become a candidate, but the minimum age to be a candidate is 25 years.
Political parties nominate their candidates, who get the party symbol and support. This is informally called a party "ticket."
Every candidate has to fill a nomination form, give a security deposit, and make a legal declaration giving details of any serious criminal cases against them, their educational qualifications, and the assets/liabilities of their family.
E. Election Campaign
The main purpose of elections is to give people a chance to choose. So, candidates must be given time to campaign (usually a two-week period between the announcement of the final list of candidates and the date of polling).
Political parties use catchy slogans to attract voters. Examples: Garibi Hatao (Indira Gandhi, 1971), Save Democracy (Janata Party, 1977).
Election Law limits: A candidate cannot bribe or threaten voters, appeal to them in the name of caste or religion, use government resources for campaigning, or spend more than a set limit of money.
Model Code of Conduct: Once elections are announced, ministers cannot lay foundation stones for new projects or take major policy decisions.
F. Polling and Counting of Votes
The final stage is the day voters cast their vote, usually called "election day."
Voters go to a nearby polling booth, get their mark on their finger, and cast their vote.
Earlier, people used ballot papers. Now, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are used to record votes. The machine shows the names of candidates and party symbols.
After polling, EVMs are sealed and taken to a secure place. On a fixed date, all EVMs from a constituency are opened, and the votes secured by each candidate are counted. The candidate with the highest number of votes is declared elected!
4. What Makes Elections in India Democratic?
We often hear news about fake voting, intimidation of voters, or misuse of government funds during elections. Are our elections truly fair? Yes, mostly. Here is why:
1. Independent Election Commission (EC)
In India, elections are conducted by an independent and very powerful Election Commission (EC), headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
The CEC is appointed by the President of India. Once appointed, the CEC is not answerable to the President or the government!
It is virtually impossible to remove the CEC. The EC takes all decisions from the announcement of elections to the declaration of results. It implements the Code of Conduct and can even punish errant politicians.
2. Popular Participation
If the election process is not free or fair, people will not participate. However, in India, voter turnout (the percentage of eligible voters who actually cast their vote) has either remained stable or actually gone up over the years. Poor, illiterate, and underprivileged people vote in larger proportions compared to the rich and privileged sections.
3. Acceptance of Election Outcome
If elections are not free and fair, the outcome always favors the powerful. The losing party does not accept the outcome.
But in India, the ruling parties routinely lose elections, both at the national and state levels.
Candidates who are known to have spent a lot of money or those with criminal connections often lose. The outcome is almost always accepted as a "people's verdict" by the defeated party.
Quick Revision Summary 📝
Why Elections: We need elections to choose our representatives and change governments if they perform poorly.
Democratic Elections: Require Universal Adult Franchise, real choices, regular intervals, and a free and fair process.
The Process: Divided into constituencies (some reserved for SC/ST), preparing the Voters' List, nominating candidates, campaigning, and finally polling/counting via EVMs.
Free and Fair India: Ensured by the highly powerful and independent Election Commission, high voter participation, and peaceful acceptance of results.
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