Electoral System of India

The electoral system of India is an essential aspect of the country's democratic process. India is the largest democracy in the world, with over 900 million eligible voters, and the electoral system plays a critical role in ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and represented in the highest legislative bodies of the land. The electoral system of India is based on the principle of universal adult suffrage, where every citizen who is 18 years of age or older has the right to vote. The country's constitution guarantees the right to vote as a fundamental right, and the Election Commission of India is responsible for overseeing the conduct of free and fair elections in the country.

 The electoral system of India is divided into two parts: the Lok Sabha elections and the state legislative assembly elections. The Lok Sabha elections are held every five years, while the state legislative assembly elections are held at regular intervals. The members of the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies are elected through a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate who secures the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner. The electoral system of India is a crucial aspect of the country's democratic process and ensures that the people of India have a say in the governance of their country.

Lok Sabha/Parliament of India The Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Indian Parliament, consisting of 543 members who are directly elected by the people of India. The Lok Sabha is responsible for passing laws related to a wide range of subjects, including finance, foreign affairs, and national security. The political party or coalition that has a majority in the Lok Sabha is invited to form the government, and the Lok Sabha plays a crucial role in the formation of the government. The Lok Sabha also acts as a check on the power of the executive branch of the Indian government by conducting debates, discussions, and inquiries into the policies and actions of the government. Overall, the Lok Sabha is an important institution of India's democratic system and ensures that the voices and concerns of the people of India are heard and represented in the highest legislative body of the land.

Rajya Sabha: The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament, established under the Constitution of India in 1950. It consists of 245 members, of which 233 members are elected by the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union Territories, and 12 members are nominated by the President of India. The Rajya Sabha has special powers related to the Constitution of India, and plays a crucial role in shaping India's laws and policies. It provides a platform for the states and union territories of India to have their voices heard and ensures that the views and concerns of all sections of Indian society are taken into consideration. The Rajya Sabha acts as a check on the power of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament, by reviewing and approving bills passed by the Lok Sabha. Overall, the Rajya Sabha is an important pillar of India's democratic system, ensuring that the country's diverse voices are heard and represented in the highest legislative body of the land.

Right to vote:

The right to vote is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen as per Article 326 of the Constitution of India. Any citizen who is above the age of 18 can participate in the voting process, provided they fulfill the eligibility conditions set by the Election Commission of India (ECI). This includes being a citizen of India and not having been barred from voting due to any malpractice. The age for voting was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1989 to ensure that more young people are able to participate in the democratic process.Once a citizen registers themselves as a voter with the ECI, a voter ID card is issued to them. The voter ID card serves as proof of identity and is required for casting a vote at the polling booth. The ECI has taken several measures to make the voting process more accessible, such as setting up polling booths in remote areas and providing facilities such as ramps and braille ballot papers for disabled voters.The introduction of NOTA (None of the Above) as an option in the voting process has been a significant step towards increasing voter participation and empowering citizens to express their opinions. The Supreme Court's order in 2013 made it mandatory for the ECI to provide the option of NOTA on the electronic voting machines. This allows voters to choose NOTA if they feel that none of the candidates deserves to be elected. Overall, the right to vote in India is an essential component of the country's democratic system and ensures that every citizen has a say in the governance of the country.

Election Process in India

The election process in India involves the delimitation of regions into constituencies, where representatives are chosen by the people to represent them in the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies or municipal corporations. The delimitation is carried out by a commission appointed by the government. The constituencies are divided based on population and other factors, and a representative is chosen from each constituency through a voting process.In order to vote in an election, a person must first register their name in the voter's list, which is maintained by the Election Commission of India. Candidates for an election can be either from a political party or independent. Candidates have to file a nomination and have it approved by the election commission before they can campaign for the election. The campaigning period usually lasts for several weeks before the voting day, and candidates use various means to reach out to voters and persuade them to vote for them.The election commission ensures that the election process is conducted in a free and fair manner, and it announces the election results on the scheduled dates. The entire process is closely monitored to prevent any malpractices, and the election commission takes strict action against any violations. Overall, the election process in India is designed to ensure that the people have a voice in the democratic process and that their representatives are chosen through a fair and transparent process.

Political Parties in India

India has adopted the multi-party political system. A political party is formed by politicians on the basis of their ideologies and to achieve political goals. The election commission grants the ‘National’ or ‘State’ party status to a party upon fulfilling the criteria. There are eight national parties in India. These are; All India Trinamool Congress (AIDMK), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM), Indian National Congress (INC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), National People’s Party (NPP). There are 53 state parties and 2538 unrecognized parties in India. Some of the popular state parties include Shiv Sena (SS), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Janata Dal-United (JDU), Janata Dal-Secular (JDU), Samajwadi Party (SP), etc. INC is the oldest political party while BJP is the largest party in India.

Political Situation in India

India is a democratic country with a multi-party political system, where national and state-level elections take place regularly. The victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2014 general elections of India was a significant event in Indian politics. It marked the first time in thirty years that a single party had won an outright majority in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament. The BJP and its allies won 336 out of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, giving them a clear mandate to govern the country.

Indian voters have become more educated and aware of the political scenario in the country, which has led them to distinguish between state and national politics. The re-election of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister in 2019 was also a significant development. The BJP and its allies won 353 out of 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, surpassing their previous tally and securing a more decisive mandate than in 2014. .

However, it is important to note that the political landscape in India is dynamic and constantly evolving. While the BJP has enjoyed significant electoral success since 2014, it has also faced challenges in some state elections, as you have mentioned. The opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress (INC), have also made gains in some state elections, indicating that the political scenario is not completely one-sided. while the BJP and Narendra Modi have enjoyed significant electoral success in recent years, the political scenario in India is complex and multifaceted, with a range of regional and national issues shaping the political landscape.