Ayaan Saroori
Democracy is a fundamental structure that has been followed in India since independence. However, we cannot fully enjoy all the rights and freedoms of independence unless we have the opportunity to participate in all democratic exercises, particularly in electing representatives to strengthen the representative form of democracy. Elections are one of these democratic exercises, taking place periodically to maintain the socio-political stability of a country.
Elections can be defined as a formal decision-making process by which citizens elect a representative or multiple representatives to hold public office. It is a procedure to choose representatives. Before independence, India witnessed the election process, but electoral rights were not fully enjoyed, and the participation of Indian representatives was limited, as seen under the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909.
Post-independence, the first general elections were held in 1951-52 with millions of eligible voters, though only a portion of them participated. The Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, won the majority in these elections, setting the stage for India’s parliamentary democracy. Over time, the Indian National Congress (Congress party) remained in power with different elected representatives.
For fair elections,various evolutions have taken place, one of which is the establishment of the Election Commission of India in 1950. The Commission was created with the aim of ensuring free and fair elections. Over time, it introduced several beneficial reforms, including the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), voter identity cards, and processes to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
What makes elections democratic?
Free and fair elections is the primary measure which makes elections democratic.Elections should be conducted in a free manner without any manipulation and voters should be able to cast their vote without hurdles.All eligible citizens should be given proper voting identity without discrimination based on socioeconomic status,race, gender and religion.Second is regular election on fixed intervals,this is important to ensure that government is accountable to people. Meanwhile,in jammu and kashmir assembly elections are going to be held after 10 years after dissolution of Assembly from 2019 to then.By this time,we have been blessed again with enjoying our powers through electing our representatives again after 10 years.
Elections commission of India- a constitutional body formed in 1950 by constitution of India empowered to conduct free and fair elections.It does not affiliate with any government or particular ruling party due to which in recent elections free and fair elections have been increased.While it monitors each and every activity of political party or candidates in terms of funding for campaign,media coverage and other means used by a candidate.Moreover,Model Code of Conduct is a mechanism introduced by the commission to make eye on each activity of nominated candidates for election period.
These are not sufficient reason for making elections democratic but respect for the results,civic participation are also to be followed for the same.People should be aware of all the candidates of their constituency with basic informations and methods of using Electronic voting Machine (EVM) and all the candidates,participants should respect the results of democratic elections.In nutshell,free and fair election without any discrimination and an independent body should conduct each activity or action of the process which make these elections democratic.
Are All Elections Truly democratic?
Many countries conduct elections regularly, but when there is no competition between opposing candidates, these elections become entirely undemocratic. For elections to be truly democratic, it is essential that multiple candidates stand for election, creating competition and providing citizens with real choices, all within a framework of the rule of law and a fair election process.
Countries like North Korea and Belarus, however, conduct elections in name only. These elections are far from democratic, as they are marked by force and oppression. What real benefit can come from elections that are neither free nor fair?
Moreover, elections should be competitive, with candidates from different parties or independent candidates vying for votes.
It is also crucial to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the Election Commission of India. Not all elections are democratic, but in India, elections are conducted through an independent constitutional body-the Election Commission-with transparency and in accordance with the rule of law. Since independence, India has maintained a democratic election process, which is vital for democracy and empowers citizens to choose their representatives.
Elections in India
In India there are various sorts of elections held after each five years.Generally,state legislative elections are of the same kind and held after the same duration or when dissolved and then local level elections such as Municipal corporations and panchayats, etc.
For the impartial voting and the whole process a constitutional autonomous body takes overall responsibilities.
India being a populous country,it is not possible to vote through any other means and for easy and fair voting commission has set up Electronic voting machines(EVM’s) on which any eligible person can vote under privacy to its favoured candidate.This system of commission is valuable and proved beneficial in various election processes besides many alleged of manipulation and electoral fraud but commission had neutralised all the allegations through independent audits and testing, conducted open challenges and various public demonstrations to prove all the false allegations baseless.
Your statement is mostly correct but can be refined slightly for clarity and flow.Each political party and participant in the elections publish a manifesto before the general public.A party’s manifesto addresses various issues on which they campaign, including social welfare schemes, corruption, communalism, economic policies, national security, and other relevant matters that are crucial for the country’s development in the present time.
Meanwhile,it is very important to vote a candidate who can fulfil are the pre-elections promises and he/she should be honest,educated and dynamic.
“Voting is our right, and we should not waste it, as
it provides us the opportunity to choose our future.”
(The writer is a school student)
