Class 9 Civics SST Chapter 3 Electoral Politics

Electoral Politics explains how democracy works in India and how citizens choose their leaders through elections. It covers the election process, political competition, types of elections, and the role of the Election Commission, along with challenges and safeguards for fair voting.

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Why do we need Elections?

Elections give power to the people to choose their leaders and shape the future of the country.

• Elections allow citizens to select their representatives in a democratic way.
• They make the government accountable to the public.
• Citizens can demand essential needs and raise their concerns, like farmers asking for higher MSP on crops.
• Elections ensure that leaders reflect the will of the people.
• They help maintain transparency, fairness and trust in the political system.

What Makes an Election Democratic in a Country?

A democratic election is one where people’s voices truly matter and everyone gets a fair chance to participate. Here’s how you can tell if an election is really democratic:

1. Regular Elections

• Elections must happen at regular intervals, usually every 5 years.
• Delaying elections can weaken democracy.
  
• Example: Russia is considered a democracy, but when President Vladimir Putin postponed elections for several years, it raised questions about its democratic nature.

2. Free Competition

• Every political party and independent candidate should have the right to contest elections.
• Stopping opposition parties from participating violates democracy.

Example: In North Korea, opposition parties are not allowed to contest, so only the communist party wins every time.

3. Right to Vote for All

• Every citizen should have the right to vote, regardless of religion, caste, gender, class, or race.
• Democracy works on the principle of one person, one vote, one value.

Example: If one person’s vote is counted multiple times, it is cheating.

4. Free Choice

• People should freely choose their representatives without any pressure.
• Voters must be offered real choices, not forced to vote for a particular candidate.

Political Competition

In a democracy, competition among political parties is what keeps the system alive and makes sure leaders work for the people.

1. Lots of Parties, Lots of Choices

• In India, thousands of parties are registered at national, state and local levels.
• Political parties compete to gain power and convince voters to support them.

2. Manifestos and Promises

• Parties make promises to the public through their manifestos.
• A manifesto tells people what the party plans to do if it comes to power.

3. Why Competition Matters

• Political competition ensures transparency. Leaders know they must deliver to keep public trust.
• It encourages politicians to work for the public good.

4. The Flip Side

• Sometimes, politicians fail to fulfill their promises.
• They may blame others or make excuses to avoid taking responsibility but competition still gives voters the power to hold them accountable in the next election.

India’s Election System

India has a multi-party system, which means many parties can contest elections. It follows a Parliamentary Democracy, where people elect representatives who form the government.

• Voting Age: Everyone who is 18 years or older can vote.‍
• Voting System: India uses the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system. The candidate with the most votes wins, even if they don’t get an absolute majority.

Types of Elections in India 

Following types of elections take place in India:

1. Lok Sabha Elections (National Level)

• People elect Members of Parliament (MPs) from different constituencies.
• Political parties with the most votes decide the Prime Minister candidate.

2. Vidhan Sabha Elections (State Level)

• People elect Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from their constituencies.
• The party with the most votes decides the Chief Minister candidate.

3. Panchayat / Municipal Elections (Local Level)

• People elect local representatives to solve community and local issues.

4. By-Elections

• Held when a seat becomes vacant due to death, resignation, or disqualification.
• Example: If an MP dies during their term, a by-election is conducted by the Election Commission.

Electoral Constituencies

During elections India is divided into constituencies to elect political leaders from each constituency

• Each constituency can  elect one representative.
• Any political party can participate in any constituency. To participate in elections.
• Lok Sabha has 543 seats across India where every person votes to elect political leaders.

Voters List 

The Election Commission of India prepares the voters list using official data.

• In Indian elections only citizens above 18 years can vote.
• A voter ID card is  essential for every citizen for vote. Without voter ID people can't vote. So it is necessary to have a voter ID card 

Nomination of Candidates

To contest in elections in India:

• A candidate must be 25 years or older.
• They must file a nomination form with the Election Commission.
• A security deposit must be submitted along with the nomination.

Election Campaign

Before elections, political parties get a chance to introduce themselves to the public and explain what they plan to do if they come to power.

• Parties present their agenda and make promises to voters.
• The campaign period usually lasts about 2 weeks before polling day.

Model Code of Conduct (MCC)

After the campaign starts, the Election Commission imposes the Model Code of Conduct to ensure fair elections:

• No bribery, hate speeches, or unfair tricks by any party.
• The ruling party cannot use government machinery to promote themselves.
• Any violation of the MCC can lead to serious punishment by the Election Commission.

This ensures that elections remain free, fair and transparent, giving voters a real choice!

Polling and Counting

During elections, polling booths are set up in all constituencies so people can cast their votes.

• India uses EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) for voting.
• EVMs make voting simple, fast and easy to count.
• Sometimes, parties that lose claim that EVMs were hacked, but the Election Commission of India assures that EVMs are secure and cannot be tampered with.

This system ensures that every vote counts accurately and results are declared fairly.

Challenges in Free and  Fair Elections

Even in a democracy, elections face challenges that can affect fairness. Here’s what makes it tricky sometimes:

1. Money and Muscle Power

• Some rich politicians use money and influence to gain votes.
• Criminal networks may also be used to sway voters.

2. Fake Voting and Ballot Papers

• When ballot papers were used, there were reports of fake voting for certain parties.
• To prevent this, India switched to EVMs, which allow one person to vote only once.

3. Booth Capturing

• In states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, booth capturing was common during the rise of crime.
• Strong law enforcement later stopped this practice.

4. Misuse of Government Machinery

• Sometimes, the ruling party misuses government resources to win elections. Example: In 1971, Indira Gandhi allegedly used government machinery to influence the election.

Despite these challenges, reforms like EVMs, strict laws and vigilant Election Commission oversight help keep elections as free and fair as possible.

Are Elections in India Democratic?

Yes! Indian elections are largely free and fair thanks to several safeguards that keep democracy strong.

1. Independent Election Commission

• The Election Commission of India is independent and works without government control.
  
  
• The Chief Election Commissioner is chosen by a group including the Chief Justice, leader of opposition and ruling party members to ensure fairness.

2. Strong Laws

• India has strict laws to maintain free and fair elections and punish violations.

3. Role of Media

• The media actively informs the public and holds the government accountable.
  
  
• Citizens are made aware of their rights and the importance of voting responsibly.

Thanks to these checks, India’s electoral system remains one of the largest and most transparent democracies in the world.

Conclusion

These are your rapid revision notes for Electoral Politics. You can go through them and revise the entire chapter in just a few minutes without even opening the textbook. 

Going through these notes will give you a step ahead in exam preparation and help you study faster while remembering key concepts easily. 

They are designed to make revision simple, quick and effective, so you can approach your exams with confidence and clarity.

FAQs

Q1. What is the main purpose of elections in India?

Ans: Elections allow citizens to choose their representatives, hold them accountable and shape the future of the government in a democratic way.

Q2. What is a democratic election?

Ans: A democratic election is free, fair and transparent, where everyone has the right to vote, political parties can compete freely and people can choose their representatives without pressure.

Q3. What is the First-Past-the-Post system used in India?

Ans: In this system, the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they don’t get more than 50% of the total votes.

Q4. Who prepares the voters list in India?

Ans: The Election Commission of India prepares the voters list and only citizens above 18 years with a valid Voter ID can vote.

Q5. What are the main challenges in Indian elections?

Ans: Challenges include the use of money and muscle power, booth capturing in the past, misuse of government machinery and sometimes politicians not fulfilling their promises.