3. Electoral Politics
Elections are fundamental to democracy, allowing citizens to choose their representatives and shape government policy. This chapter discusses the importance of free and fair elections, the mechanisms that ensure democratic processes, and the specific context of elections in India. It evaluates the strengths and challenges of the electoral system, emphasizing the role of the Election Commission in maintaining electoral integrity.
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What we have learnt
- Elections are essential for representative democracy as they allow people to make collective decisions through chosen representatives.
- For an election to be democratic, it must meet criteria such as universal suffrage, regularity, and fairness in competition.
- The Election Commission plays a crucial role in overseeing elections to ensure they are free, fair, and credible.
Key Concepts
- -- Electoral Democracy
- A form of democracy in which representatives are elected through free and fair elections.
- -- Election Commission
- A body responsible for administering election processes and ensuring compliance with electoral laws.
- -- Universal Adult Franchise
- The right of all adult citizens to vote, regardless of their social or economic status.
- -- Reserved Constituencies
- Electoral districts set aside to ensure representation for marginalized communities, such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
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