Chapter Notes: Elections
Why Elections Matter?
Periodic elections form the heart of any democratic system. They give citizens the power to choose
representatives and hold them accountable for their actions. Without regular elections, the idea of
self-governance becomes hollow.
• Representatives at all levels - national, state, and local - are chosen by the people through elections.
• Direct elections: Citizens vote directly for their representatives (e.g., Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, local
bodies).
• Indirect elections: Citizens elect representatives who then choose leaders (e.g., President, Vice
President, Rajya Sabha).
, • An elected government cannot continue beyond its five-year term without seeking a fresh mandate.
• A single-party contest or absence of choice is incompatible with genuine democracy.
Key Concept: Elections uphold Equality, Accountability, Representation, and Legitimacy in democracy.
Interesting Fact - Psephology: The scientific study of elections. The word comes from the Greek 'psephos'
(pebble), because ancient Greeks voted using pebbles.
Inside India's Election Machinery
Running elections in a country as large and diverse as India requires robust laws, systems, and multiple
stakeholders working in coordination at every level - national, state, and local.
Key stakeholders include:
• Election Commission of India (ECI)
• Political parties
• Civil society and media
• Voters
The Constitution and various parliamentary laws define the roles and powers of all these stakeholders.
The Electoral System
India primarily uses the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system, also called the plurality system, chosen by the
framers of the Constitution.
First-Past-The-Post (FPTP)
• Used for: Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.
• Each voter votes for one candidate in their constituency.
• The candidate with the most votes wins, even if that is less than 50% of total votes cast.
Why Elections Matter?
Periodic elections form the heart of any democratic system. They give citizens the power to choose
representatives and hold them accountable for their actions. Without regular elections, the idea of
self-governance becomes hollow.
• Representatives at all levels - national, state, and local - are chosen by the people through elections.
• Direct elections: Citizens vote directly for their representatives (e.g., Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, local
bodies).
• Indirect elections: Citizens elect representatives who then choose leaders (e.g., President, Vice
President, Rajya Sabha).
, • An elected government cannot continue beyond its five-year term without seeking a fresh mandate.
• A single-party contest or absence of choice is incompatible with genuine democracy.
Key Concept: Elections uphold Equality, Accountability, Representation, and Legitimacy in democracy.
Interesting Fact - Psephology: The scientific study of elections. The word comes from the Greek 'psephos'
(pebble), because ancient Greeks voted using pebbles.
Inside India's Election Machinery
Running elections in a country as large and diverse as India requires robust laws, systems, and multiple
stakeholders working in coordination at every level - national, state, and local.
Key stakeholders include:
• Election Commission of India (ECI)
• Political parties
• Civil society and media
• Voters
The Constitution and various parliamentary laws define the roles and powers of all these stakeholders.
The Electoral System
India primarily uses the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system, also called the plurality system, chosen by the
framers of the Constitution.
First-Past-The-Post (FPTP)
• Used for: Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.
• Each voter votes for one candidate in their constituency.
• The candidate with the most votes wins, even if that is less than 50% of total votes cast.
