Election Commission
In a school competition the umpire must be fair, otherwise players lose trust. In elections too the fair umpire is the Election Commission.
The Election Commission is an autonomous body established under Art. 324 of the Constitution; it administers the election process in India. It consists of one Chief Election Commissioner and two other commissioners.
Key idea 1 : Elections and representation — Modern democracy is representative democracy. Since all people cannot join in decisions, some are elected as representatives; they run the government and give priority to people’s welfare. Elections bring change of power peacefully, give different parties a chance to rule and change policies and social life. We expect representatives to be efficient, honest and trustworthy and elections to be free, fair and reliable.
Key idea 2 : Structure and independence — The President appoints election commissioners. The Chief Election Commissioner cannot be removed easily or for political reasons; this is necessary to preserve the independence of the Commission. A separate provision is made for the Commission’s expenses. The Commission has no separate staff; government officers, teachers and other employees help in election work. The Election Commission of India and State Election Commissions conduct important elections; the whole process from declaring the date to declaring results is carried out under the Commission’s direction and control.
Key idea 3 : The first Chief Election Commissioner — Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner after independence. After the Commission was established in 1950 this responsibility came to him and he handled it efficiently in extremely adverse conditions. A special campaign to create voter awareness for registration is run and National Voters’ Day is celebrated for it.
- Easy : Commission established under which Article? — Art. 324.
- Medium : Who appoints commissioners? — The President.
- Exam-type : Does the Commission have its own staff? — No; government staff help.
In the figure: Structure of the Election Commission.
The Election Commission was established on 25 January 1950 (a day before Republic Day); Sukumar Sen took charge on 21 March 1950; 25 January is celebrated as National Voters’ Day since 2011. Initially the Commission had only one commissioner; it became a three-member body from 1 October 1993. (As per several sources; check with the book)
324-3-President-borrowed.
It is not that the Commission has its own staff; government employees help during elections.
Memory clue: Independent Commission = independent election. Memory clue: "324, three commissioners".
Spot the difference
| Point | Detail | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Article | 324 | Constitutional status to Commission |
| Appointment | President | Cannot be removed easily, so independent |
| Commissioners | One chief + two | Decision-making |
Practice questions
- 1Under which Article was the Election Commission established?
- 2How many commissioners are in the Commission?
- 3Why can the Chief Election Commissioner not be easily removed?
- 4The Commission has no own staff; how does the work get done?
- 5What is representative democracy?
- 6How do elections bring change of power peacefully?
- 7Write about Sukumar Sen.
- 8What campaign would you run in school for voter awareness?
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Under Art. 324.
- 2One chief and two others.
- 3To preserve independence of the Commission.
- 4Government officers, teachers and others help.
- 5People elect representatives and they run the government.
- 6Voters can change the government by voting.
- 7First Chief Election Commissioner; worked efficiently in difficult conditions.
- 8Student writes activities, time and participation.
Functions of the Election Commission
In a contest entry forms are checked, a schedule is set and disputes are settled. In elections the Commission does all this.
Preparing voters list, deciding timetable of elections, scrutinising candidates’ applications, recognising political parties and resolving election disputes are the five main functions of the Commission.
Key idea 1 : Voters list and timetable — Every Indian who has completed 18 years has the right to vote; but the name must be in the voters list. Preparing the list of eligible voters, updating the old list and adding names of new voters is the Commission’s responsibility; it can also issue identity cards. When to hold elections and in how many stages in every state is entirely the Commission’s task.
Key idea 2 : Candidates’ applications and recognition of parties — After dates are declared every party selects candidates; some candidates contest independently without a party. All have to fill applications with information about themselves; the Commission scrutinises them and allows eligible candidates. We have a multiparty system; new parties are formed, and splits in parties also form new parties. All parties need recognition by the Commission; it also has the right to derecognise; it allots election symbols to parties. Some constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Tribes; every party has a symbol; recognised parties get equal opportunity to present their side on television and radio.
Key idea 3 : Election disputes — The Commission has responsibility of resolving disputes that arise regarding elections. Accordingly, to declare a candidate disqualified or to conduct re-election in a constituency is the Commission’s responsibility. Voting is our duty as well as our responsibility.
- Easy : If the name is not on the voters list? — You cannot vote.
- Medium : Who allots election symbols? — The Election Commission.
- Exam-type : Commission holding re-election — which function? — Resolving disputes.
In the figure: Functions of the Commission in order.
What happened before EVMs came into use across the country? In 1982 EVMs were tried in 50 polling stations at Paravur in Kerala. In 1984 the Supreme Court said they could not be used without a law, so Parliament amended the law in 1989.
What happened after EVMs came into use across the country? In the 2004 Lok Sabha election EVMs were used in all 543 constituencies for the first time, and counting became much faster. Paper-trail machines (VVPAT) were added later.
List-Timetable-Forms-Parties-Disputes.
Selecting candidates is not the Commission’s job; parties select, the Commission only scrutinises forms.
Memory clue: Five functions: list, timetable, forms, parties, disputes. Memory clue: "Li-Ti-Fo-Pa-Di".
Spot the difference
| Function | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Voters list | Add names, update | Registering new 18-year-old voters |
| Scrutiny | Allows eligible candidates | Form with information |
| Recognition | Gives recognition and symbol | Election symbol |
Practice questions
- 1Write the five functions of the Election Commission.
- 2What is the importance of the voters list?
- 3Who decides the election timetable?
- 4Why is scrutiny of applications necessary?
- 5How does the Commission recognise parties and can it derecognise?
- 6Who is an independent candidate?
- 7How are election disputes resolved?
- 8Write how you would check if your family is registered on the voters list.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Voters list, timetable, scrutiny, party recognition, dispute resolution.
- 2One can vote only if the name is on the list.
- 3The Election Commission.
- 4So that only eligible candidates contest.
- 5Gives recognition per rules; yes, it can derecognise.
- 6A candidate contesting without party support.
- 7Disqualifying or holding re-election.
- 8Student writes methods of verification.
Process of Elections and Code of Conduct
Before a cricket tournament rules are told to players, umpires and teams. Before elections the rules for government, parties and voters form the code of conduct.
Stages of the election process are establishing constituencies, finalising voters list, candidates’ forms, campaign, voting, counting, results and resolving disputes. The Code of Conduct is the rules to be followed by government, parties and voters before and during elections.
Key idea 1 : Restructuring of constituencies — Lok Sabha has 543 members; each member represents one constituency, so there are 543 constituencies. Creating constituencies is the responsibility of the Delimitation Commission. It does not succumb to any pressure while restructuring constituencies.
Key idea 2 : Code of conduct — The code of conduct is one of the measures taken by the Commission for free and fair elections. It states rules to be followed by government, parties and voters before and during elections. Even the government cannot violate it. Its strict observance in the last few elections has increased confidence of common voters. For example distributing household items or appealing for support on caste and religion can be a violation of the code.
Key idea 3 : The first election — The first election in independent India was held in 1951-52; it was the beginning of shaping democracy through electoral politics. Preparing the voters list was a challenging task; as many people were illiterate, a special method was used: about 20 lakh steel boxes were made with election symbols stuck on them; voters were given a blank ballot paper to drop in the box with the symbol of the party they wanted to vote for. So even illiterate people could vote.
- Easy : How many Lok Sabha constituencies? — 543.
- Medium : Who decides constituencies? — Delimitation Commission.
- Exam-type : How did illiterates vote in the first election? — By dropping ballot in the box with the symbol.
In the figure: Stages of the election process.
India’s first voter: Shyam Saran Negi (Kalpa, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh) voted on 25 October 1951 because voting in Kinnaur was held early due to winter snow; the rest of the country voted in January-February 1952; he was then a teacher posted on duty at the polling booth. The book spells the name "Sham Sharan Negi". (As per several sources; check with the book)
Constituency-Form-Campaign-Vote-Count-Result.
It is not that the code does not apply to government; it applies to government, parties and voters.
Memory clue: Code of conduct = rules of the game. Memory clue: "Rules first, then the game".
Spot the difference
| Point | Who does | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Delimitation | Delimitation Commission | Creating constituencies |
| Code of conduct | Election Commission | Framing and enforcing rules |
| Voting | Voters | Casting vote |
Practice questions
- 1State the stages of the election process.
- 2What does the Delimitation Commission do?
- 3What is the code of conduct?
- 4Write two things that violate the code of conduct.
- 5What was the effect of strict observance of the code?
- 6What was the special method of the first election?
- 7Which rules for voters would you include in the code?
- 8Write how you will organise a mock poll in school.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Constituencies, voters list, forms, campaign, voting, counting, results, disputes.
- 2Creates and restructures the 543 constituencies.
- 3Rules for government, parties and voters during elections.
- 4Distributing household items; seeking support on caste and religion.
- 5Confidence of common voters increased.
- 6Boxes with symbols and blank ballots; for illiterates.
- 7Voters not accepting inducements, voting peacefully etc.
- 8Student writes voters list, ballot, box and counting.
Challenges and Electoral Reforms
If someone distributes money or fights in a school election it does not feel real. In a big country these challenges are bigger.
Considering the size of the country and number of voters conducting free and fair elections is truly challenging. Electoral reforms are changes made to make the election process more reliable.
Key idea 1 : Challenges — Money is misused to a great extent in elections; the Commission has to take several measures to stop it. Many parties give tickets to candidates with criminal background; this criminalises politics and makes it difficult for the Commission to hold elections in a free environment. Violence in elections is another big challenge; all parties should help the Commission control it. To retain influence leaders give tickets to their relatives, which creates family monopoly in politics.
Key idea 2 : Reforms — Elections are a continuous process; the future of democracy depends on them. Suggested reforms: to increase women’s political participation parties should give 50% candidature to women and try to get them elected; parties should not give candidature to those with criminal background and strictly follow court decisions; the government should take care of election expenses to stop misuse of money; the Representation of the People Act should be amended so that candidates with criminal background cannot contest.
Key idea 3 : From ballot boxes to EVMs — The first election in independent India was held in 1951-52; ballot boxes were used initially. Later electronic voting machines (EVMs) came. If voters do not want any candidate they can choose ‘None of the above’ (NOTA). Voting became easy for disabled persons, cutting of trees for paper reduced and results are declared early. The Commission formed an expert committee in 2010 and added the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) facility to EVMs; voters can verify that the vote cast is registered properly.
- Easy : None of the above option? — NOTA.
- Medium : Facility to verify the recorded vote? — VVPAT.
- Exam-type : Party gives tickets to relatives — which challenge? — Family monopoly.
In the figure: How the means of voting changed.
EVMs were first tried in May 1982 at 50 polling stations in the Paravur by-election in Kerala; EVMs were first used in all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies in 2004. The textbook says "from the 1990s"; as per sources use expanded in the 1990s but full use began with 2001 (assemblies) and 2004 (Lok Sabha). NOTA began in 2013 after a Supreme Court judgment; VVPAT was first used in September 2013 in the Noksen by-election in Nagaland and in all constituencies from 2019. (As per several sources; check with the book)
Box-82-04-13.
EVM does not change the voters list or code; it is only a means of recording the vote.
Memory clue: Challenges = money, crime, violence, dynasty. Memory clue: "Mo-Cr-Vi-Dy".
Spot the difference
| Challenge | Effect | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Misuse of money | Equal opportunity lost | Government takes election expenses |
| Criminal background | Criminalisation of politics | No candidature to such persons |
| Violence | No free atmosphere | Cooperation of all parties |
Practice questions
- 1Write four challenges in conducting elections.
- 2What is criminalisation of politics?
- 3What is the harm of family monopoly to a party?
- 4Suggest electoral reforms.
- 5Write advantages of EVM.
- 6What is NOTA?
- 7What is the purpose of VVPAT?
- 8Write the difference between general, midterm and by-election.
Show answers (try them yourself first)
- 1Misuse of money, criminal background, violence, family monopoly.
- 2People with criminal background entering politics.
- 3Ordinary workers get no chance and the party stays confined to one family.
- 450% women candidates, no tickets to criminals, election expenses by government.
- 5Easy for disabled, saves paper, early results.
- 6Option to choose when no candidate is liked.
- 7Voter checks vote is recorded properly; malpractice stops.
- 8General = every five years; midterm = majority lost before term; by-election = seat vacant.