Election

Election is the process through which citizens choose their representatives through voting.

• Elections uphold the principle of democracy by allowing universal adult suffrage (Article 326).
• In India, elections are held for:
  • Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha)
  • State Legislative Assemblies
  • Panchayats and Municipalities
  • President and Vice President

📝 PYQ (BPSC 64th): Article related to adult franchise in India? → Article 326

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Election Commission of India (ECI)

• Established under Article 324
• Responsible for conducting free and fair elections
• Autonomous constitutional body
• Headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)

Powers and Functions:

• Conduct elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, President, Vice-President
• Prepare and update electoral rolls
• Allot symbols to political parties
• Implement Model Code of Conduct
• Order repoll in case of irregularities

📝 PYQ (BPSC 65th): Election Commission is established under which Article? → Article 324

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Types of Elections

General Election:

• Conducted to elect members of Lok Sabha or State Assemblies.
• Held every 5 years or earlier if assembly/parliament is dissolved.

Mid-term Election:

• Held when a legislature is dissolved before its term is completed.

By-election:

• Conducted to fill a vacancy due to resignation, death or disqualification.

Local Body Elections:

• For Panchayats (under 73rd Amendment) and Municipalities (under 74th Amendment)
• Conducted by State Election Commission

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Electoral Reforms in India

• Lowering of voting age from 21 to 18 (61st Amendment, 1988)
• Use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and later VVPAT
• Introduction of NOTA (None of the Above) – 2013
• Voter ID card (EPIC) mandatory for identity verification
• Capping election expenditure for candidates
• Introduction of Model Code of Conduct

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Recent Developments (Till 2024)

• Remote Electronic Voting Machine (RVM) pilot tested for migrant workers
• One Nation, One Election debate – proposed simultaneous elections
• Usage of Artificial Intelligence for monitoring violations
• EC's drive for clean candidates – decriminalization of politics

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Articles Related to Elections

• Article 324 – Election Commission
• Article 325 – No person shall be ineligible for inclusion in electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex
• Article 326 – Universal adult franchise (18+)
• Article 327–329 – Powers of Parliament/States to make laws on elections

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Expected MCQs

• Election Commission of India is mentioned in which Article? → Article 324
• Voting age was lowered by which amendment? → 61st Constitutional Amendment
• NOTA was first introduced in which year? → 2013
• What is the function of the Election Commission? → Conducting free and fair elections

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Quick Revision Points

• Election Commission: Article 324, autonomous body
• Voting age: 18 years, changed by 61st Amendment
• NOTA introduced: 2013
• State Election Commissions: Conduct local body elections
• RVM introduced: For migrant workers (pilot stage)

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Sources Used

• NCERT Class 11 – Indian Constitution at Work
• Laxmikanth – Indian Polity
• Lucent GK – Polity Section
• Election Commission of India – official reports
• Ghatna Chakra BPSC PYQs