Electoral Politics Flashcards
Result of 1987 Haryana elections
Lok Dal won; MLAs chose Devi Lal as leader; govt. issued a govt. order waiving the loans; party did not win next elections 1991- won by congress.
Why do we need elections?
- Too many people to sit down all together and make decisions
- Not everyone has time and knowledge to take decisions on all matters.
Define ‘Election’.
A mechanism by which people can choose their representatives at regular intervals and change them if they wish to do so.
What choices do voters make in an election?
- They can choose who’ll make the laws for them
- Choose who’ll form the govt. and take major decisions
- Choose the parties whose policies will guide the govt. and law making
What makes an election democratic?
- UAF, and one vote = one value
- Parties and candidates should be free to contest elections and should offer some real choice to the voters
- Elections must be held regularly after every few years
- Candidate preferred by the people should be get elected
- Elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner where people can choose as they really wish
Cons of political competition
- Creates disunity and factionalism
- Political parties level allegations against each other and use dirty tricks
- pressure of electoral fights => no sensible long-term policies
- Good people who wish to serve the country may not want to take part because of the unhealthy competition
Pros of political competition
- System works better in the long run
- Political leaders are motivated to advance their careers, and this serve the people to remain in power
What does regular electoral competition do?
Provides incentives to political parties and leaders; if they raise issues the people want to be raised, their popularity and chances of victory in the next round will increase.
Elections in Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha
- After a term of 5 years, Lok Sabha dissolves
- Elections are held in all constituencies at the same time
Haryana 1987
State was ruled by Congress; Nyaya Yudh was led by Chaudhary Devi Lal; New party called Lol Dal; Promised to waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen.
How is the country divided for elections?
- Divided into constituencies
- Division based on popularity
- Each constituency elects one MP
(Lok Sabha) or one MLA (Parliament)
Assembly constituencies
Each parliamentary constituency has within it several assembly constituencies.
Principle of division in Panchayat and Municipal
Corporations
Each village or town is divided into several wards; each wards elects one member of the local body
What are constituencies also called and why?
Also called seats, as they each represent one seat in the assembly.
What are reserved constituencies?
The constituencies reserved for SC(84) and ST(47) in accordance with their proportion of population where only an SC or an ST can be elected.
EPIC full form
Election Photo Identity Card
Who can contest elections?
Candidates must be above 25 years of age
He/she is nominated by the party and gets the symbol and support
The party nomination is generally called the party ‘ticket’
They have to fill out a nomination form and have to give some money as security deposit
