Electoral Politics..........Part IV

Q8.What is "Nomination of candidate"? What are the directions introduced by  the Supreme Court for the candidates while filling the nomination form.

1. Political parties nominate their candidates who get the party symbol and support. 
2. Party’s nomination is called party ‘ticket’. 
3. Every person who wishes to contest an election has to fill a ‘nomination form’ and give some money as ‘security deposit.

As per the directions introduced by the Supreme Court every candidate has to make a legal declaration, giving full details of :

1. Serious criminal cases pending against the candidate.
2. Details of the assets and liabilities of the candidate and his or her family.
3. Education qualifications of the candidate.

This information has to be made public as it provides an opportunity to the voters to make their decision on the basis of the information provided by the candidates.

Q9. What is Election Campaign? What is the importance of Election Campaign in a representative democracy? Explain with suitable examples.

1. During Election Campaign candidates contact their voters.
2. Political leaders address election meetings.
3. Political parties mobilise their supporters. 
4. Political parties try to focus public attention on some big issues to attract the public to that issue and get them to vote for their party on that basis.

The importance of Election Campaign in a representative democracy is as follows:-

1. The main purpose of election is to give people a chance to choose the representatives, the government and the policies they prefer. 
2. Therefore it is necessary to have a free and open discussion about who is a better representative, which party will make a better government or what is a good policy. 
3. The political parties declare their policies and agendas during election campaigns.

For example 

1. The Congress party led by Indira Gandhi gave the slogan of Garibi Hatao (Remove poverty) in the Lok Sabha elections of 1971. The party promised to reorient all the policies of the government to remove poverty from the country.
2. The Left Front used the slogan of Land to the Tiller in the West
   Bengal Assembly elections held in1977.

Q10.Why it is sometimes necessary to regulate Election Campaigns? What is Model Code of Conduct?

It is necessary to regulate Election Campaigns to ensure that every
political party and candidate gets a fair and equal chance to compete. According to election law, no party or candidate can:

1. Bribe or threaten voters.
2. Appeal to them in the name of caste or religion.
3. Use government resources for election campaign.
4. Spend more than Rs. 25 lakh in a constituency for a Lok Sabha election or Rs. 10 lakh in a constituency in an Assembly election.

All the political parties should follow Model Code of Conduct for
election campaigns. According to this, no party or candidate can:

1. Use any place of worship for election propaganda.
2. Use government vehicles, aircrafts and officials for elections.
3. Once elections are announced, Ministers shall not lay foundation stones of any projects, take any big policy decisions or make any promises of providing public facilities.

If political parties do not follow their election can be rejected by the court even after they have been declared elected.

Q11.What is a Ballot paper or Electronic Voting Machine?

1. A ballot paper is a sheet of paper on which the names of the contesting candidates along with party name and symbols are listed. 
2. The voters used to indicate by putting a stamp on the ballot paper whom they wanted to vote for.

1. Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) are used to record votes. The machine shows the names of the candidates and the party symbols. Independent candidates too have their own symbols, allotted by election officials.
2. The voter has to do is to press the button against the name of the candidate she wants to give her vote.

Q12. Who appoints Election Commissioner in India? What are the powers of Election Commission? 

1. The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President of India.
2. Once appointed, the Chief Election Commissioner is not answerable to the President or the government. 
3. Even if the ruling party or the government does not like what
   the Commission does, it is impossible for it to remove the CEC.

Powers of the Election Commission of India are:-

1. EC takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections from the announcement of elections to the declaration of results.
2. It implements the Code of Conduct and punishes any candidate or party that violates it.
3. During the election period, the EC can order the government to follow some guidelines, to prevent use and misuse of governmental power to enhance its chances to win elections, or to transfer some government officials.
4. When on election duty, government officers work under the control of the EC and not the government.

Q13. What do you understand by 'voter turnout'?

1. People’s participation in election is  measured by voter turnout figures.  
2. Turnout indicates the per cent of eligible voters who actually cast their vote. 

Q14. What are the challenges to free and fair elections in India?

The challenges to free and fair elections in India are:-

1. Candidates and parties with a lot of money may not be sure of their victory but they enjoy a big and unfair advantage over smaller parties and independents.
2. Candidates with criminal connection push others out of the electoral race and to secure a ‘ticket’ from major parties.
3. Some families tend to dominate political parties as tickets are
   distributed to relatives from these families.
4. Elections offer little choice to ordinary citizens as major parties are quite similar to each other in policies and practice.
5. Smaller parties and independent candidates suffer a huge disadvantage compared to bigger parties.