Free sample essay on Elections in India. Elections are very important in democracy. In fact, it is a big festival in democracy. It is through elections that people participate in the formation of government.
They become participant in decision making through elections. Elections are held after a specific period. Generally, they are held every five years. Elections are held to elect representatives for the parliament, state assemblies and for local bodies.
Democracy is a government of the people, for the people and by the people. Governance in democracy depends on representation. Representatives are elected by the people. Everybody in a modern democracy above a certain specified age has the right to vote until he is disqualified by law. It means that only law can disqualify a man from his voting right on ground of proved charges. In India, every citizen above the age of eighteen has the right to vote. He cannot be discriminated on the ground of caste, community, sex and creed. The voter\ ‘free to exercise his power in favour of the candidate of his choice.
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The Election Commission is the apex body which conducts, regulates and controls the whole process of election. The schedule of the election is decided by the Election Commission. The candidates who aspire to fight the election have to file their nomination papers. The candidates assess their own positions and chances when the picture of the contest becomes clear. After a certain period a candidate can withdraw his/her nomination, when he/she sees little chances of his/her winning. The candidates start election campaign through posters, election meetings, pre-election speeches, processions and canvassing, etc. They also make personal contact with the voters. They also use television and radio. The candidates woe the voters in different ways. They through election manifestos explain their objectives, schemes and plans.
The election manifesto is an important paper. It gives a clear picture of what the particular party plans to do for the country, if it is given a chance to form government. It also serves as a record of the ruling party’s achievements, failures and lapses.
The candidates use a symbol to fight election. There are candidates fighting on the tickets of the recognized party- national or regional. Some candidates fight independently. They are allotted symbol by the Election Commission.
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The Election Commission draws out the entire schedule of election. It issues certain codes of conduct. All the candidates contesting election have to strictly adhere to the codes of conduct. It is mandatory. In case of failure to follow them, the candidates are liable to be punished. The Commission is a constitutional body. It prepares the electoral rolls. It prepares the voter ID card. It fixes election booth and gets the ballot papers printed. It keeps a vigilant eye on the entire election process. It appoints the election staff to supervise the election.
On the Election Day, the voters visit the election booth. They get the ballot papers which bear the name of the candidates and their symbols. They stamp the symbol of their choice and put the paper in the ballot boxes. The polling is secret in India. When the election is over, the ballot boxes are sealed and sent for counting. On the scheduled date the votes are counted in the presence of the candidates. The candidates who get the largest number of votes are declared elected by the returning officer. Usually, the district magistrate is the returning officer.
Thus, the largest celebration of democracy is held. The government is formed. Voting is our right. We should actively participate in election and select good candidates. Only then we’ll have good governance.