Election and Representation Notes

The chapter explains:

• Relationship between elections and democracy
• Election systems such as FPTP and PR
• Reservation of constituencies
• Universal adult franchise
• Independent Election Commission
• Electoral reforms in India

The chapter also compares different electoral systems and explains why India adopted the First Past the Post system.

Importance of Elections

In large democracies, all citizens cannot directly participate in governance. Therefore, people elect representatives who govern on their behalf. Elections become the mechanism through which citizens choose these representatives.

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Direct and Indirect Democracy

Direct Democracy

Citizens directly participate in decision-making.

Examples

• Ancient Greek city-states
• Gram Sabhas

Indirect Democracy

Citizens elect representatives who govern for them.

India follows indirect democracy because direct participation is difficult in a large population.

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Democratic and Non-Democratic Elections

Not all elections are democratic. Some non-democratic countries also hold elections but manipulate them to maintain power.

Features of Democratic Elections

1. Free and fair voting
2. Independent election authority
3. Equal participation
4. Genuine competition
5. Transparency in process

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Constitutional Questions About Elections

The Constitution lays down rules regarding:

• Who can vote
• Who can contest elections
• Election supervision
• Voting methods
• Counting of votes

Election System in India (Pages 54–55)

Election system refers to:

• Rules of elections
• Voting methods
• Counting procedures
• Representation system

Different systems produce different results.

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Features of FPTP

1. Country divided into constituencies
2. One representative elected from each constituency
3. Candidate with highest votes wins
4. Winning candidate need not secure majority votes

Example: Lok Sabha Election 1984

• Congress won 48% votes
• Congress secured more than 80% seats

This happened because of FPTP system where seat share may not match vote share.

Advantages of FPTP

1. Simple to understand
2. Stable government possible
3. Clear local representative
4. Easy counting process

Disadvantages of FPTP

1. Vote-share and seat-share mismatch
2. Smaller parties disadvantaged
3. Minority votes may get ignored
4. Winning candidate may not get majority support

Meaning of PR System

Seats are distributed according to proportion of votes secured by parties.

If a party gets 30% votes, it gets nearly 30% seats.

Features of PR System

1. Seats proportional to votes
2. Voters usually vote for party
3. Multi-member constituencies possible
4. Better minority representation

Types of PR System

1. Whole Country as Single Constituency

Examples:

• Israel
• Netherlands

2. Multi-Member Constituencies

Several representatives elected from same constituency.

PR System in Israel

• Voters vote for parties
• Seats allocated according to vote share
• Smaller parties get representation
• Coalition governments common

Comparison Between FPTP and PR System

Single Transferable Vote (STV) System (Page 60)

India uses STV system for:

• Rajya Sabha elections
• President elections
• Vice-President elections

Features of STV

1. Voters rank candidates by preference
2. Minimum quota required for victory
3. Votes transferred according to preferences

Formula for Winning Quota

Why Did India Adopt FPTP? (Pages 60–63)

Reasons

1. Simplicity
2. Stable Government
3. Strong Constituency Link
4. Accountability
5. Encourages Broad Social Coalitions

Political parties seek support from multiple social groups.

Party System in India

• Multi-party system developed
• Coalition governments emerged after 1989
• Regional parties became important

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Need for Reservation

Certain communities may remain underrepresented because:

• Smaller population in constituencies
• Historical discrimination
• Social inequality

Separate Electorates

British introduced separate electorates where only members of a community voted for their representatives.

Constituent Assembly rejected this system because it divided society.

Reserved Constituencies

In reserved constituencies:

• All voters vote
• Only candidates from reserved category can contest

Reservation for SCs and STs

The Constitution reserves seats in:

• Lok Sabha
• State Legislative Assemblies

Reservation based on population proportion.

Delimitation Commission

Functions

1. Draw constituency boundaries
2. Identify reserved constituencies
3. Rotate reserved seats periodically

Appointed by President in consultation with Election Commission.

Reservation for Women

• Reservation exists in Panchayats
• Reservation exists in Municipalities
• Women’s Reservation Act 2023 provides reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies

Free and Fair Elections (Pages 65–66)

Universal Adult Franchise

Every adult citizen has right to vote.

• Originally voting age was 21 years
• After 61st Constitutional Amendment (1989), voting age reduced to 18 years

Importance of Universal Adult Franchise

1. Ensures equality
2. Encourages participation
3. Reflects democratic values
4. Prevents discrimination

Right to Contest Elections

All citizens can contest elections subject to:

• Minimum age requirements
• Legal qualifications

Minimum Age Requirements

Constitutional Provision

Article 324 provides for Election Commission of India.

Main Functions of Election Commission

1. Conduct elections
2. Prepare voter lists
3. Announce election schedule
4. Recognise political parties
5. Allot election symbols
6. Enforce Model Code of Conduct
7. Order re-poll if necessary

Structure of Election Commission

Members

• Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
• Election Commissioners

Since 1993, Election Commission functions as multi-member body.

Removal of Chief Election Commissioner

CEC can be removed only through parliamentary process requiring special majority.

This ensures independence of Election Commission.

Powers of Election Commission

• Transfer officials
• Postpone elections
• Cancel elections
• Conduct re-polls
• Monitor election expenditure

Major Electoral Reform Suggestions

1. Introduce PR System

Reduce mismatch between votes and seats.

2. Women Reservation

Ensure one-third representation for women.

3. Control Money Power

Government funding of elections suggested.

4. Ban Criminal Candidates

Prevent criminalisation of politics.

5. Regulate Political Parties

Increase transparency and internal democracy.

6. Ban Religious and Caste Appeals

Reduce divisive politics.

Limits of Legal Reforms

Laws alone cannot ensure fair elections. Democratic values and public awareness are also necessary.

Conclusion of Chapter (Pages 74–75)

• Enabled peaceful transfer of power
• Encouraged mass participation
• Included diverse social groups
• Strengthened democracy

Regular elections have become central to India’s democratic system.

Important Topic	Page Reference
Elections and Democracy	Pages 52–54
FPTP System	Pages 55–57
PR System	Pages 57–59
STV System	Page 60
Reservation of Constituencies	Pages 63–65
Election Commission	Pages 67–71
Electoral Reforms	Pages 72–73

Very Short Answer Questions

1. What is FPTP system?
2. Define proportional representation.
3. What is universal adult franchise?
4. What is Article 324?
5. What is delimitation?

Short Answer Questions

1. Explain FPTP system.
2. Compare FPTP and PR systems.
3. Explain functions of Election Commission.
4. Discuss reservation of constituencies.
5. Explain importance of universal adult franchise.

Long Answer Questions

1. Why did India adopt FPTP system?
2. Discuss powers and functions of Election Commission.
3. Explain reservation system in Indian elections.
4. Discuss electoral reforms in India.
5. Compare FPTP and PR systems in detail.

1. What is First Past the Post system?

It is an election system where candidate with highest votes wins even without majority votes.

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2. Which system does India follow for Lok Sabha elections?

India follows FPTP system.

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3. What is proportional representation?

PR system distributes seats according to proportion of votes secured by parties.

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4. Which Article deals with Election Commission?

Article 324.

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5. What is universal adult franchise?

It means every adult citizen above 18 years has right to vote.

• Elections are essential for representative democracy.
• India follows indirect democracy.
• FPTP system:
  • Highest vote-getter wins
  • Simple system
  • Used in Lok Sabha elections
• PR system:
  • Seats proportional to votes
  • Better minority representation
• STV system used for:
  • Rajya Sabha
  • President
  • Vice-President
• Reservation exists for:
  • SCs
  • STs
• Voting age reduced from 21 to 18 in 1989.
• Article 324 establishes Election Commission.
• Election Commission ensures:
  • Free and fair elections
  • Voter list preparation
  • Election supervision
• Electoral reforms focus on:
  • Transparency
  • Women reservation
  • Criminalisation
  • Money power