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Questions and Answers
What voting system is currently used in India?
When was the Indian Election Commission established?
What electoral reform aimed to prevent frivolous candidates from contesting elections?
Which plan suggested the establishment of the Indian Election Commission?
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What age group did the 61st Amendment Act target for voting age reduction in India?
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What are some of the challenges that led to the establishment of committees and commissions for electoral reforms in India?
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Which major political party in India has been involved in forming coalitions at the center and in states?
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What was a notable milestone in the efforts to reform the electoral process in India?
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Which aspect of electoral malpractices in India remains a concern despite ongoing reforms?
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What are some unaddressed areas that still need attention for electoral reforms in India?
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Study Notes
Elections in India
Indian Election Commission
Established in 1950, the Indian Election Commission is responsible for conducting all elections across the country, supervised by the Constitution of India. The Commission was founded following the suggestion of the Cabinet Mission Plan, which proposed a provincial government structure for British India. The Commission provides guidance to the Chief Electoral Officers of each state.
Indian Voting System
The voting system in India is based on a First Past the Post (FPTP) method, where voters cast their votes for a single candidate representing a political party. The Election Commission introduced Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to enhance transparency and credibility in elections. In recent years, calls have grown louder for a switch from FPTP to a proportional representation system.
Proposed Electoral Reforms
Some proposed electoral reforms include:
- Reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18 years through the 61st Amendment Act
- Deputation to the Election Commission for personnel involved in preparing, revising, or correcting electoral rolls
- Increase in the number of proposers required for nomination papers to prevent frivolous candidates
- Hiking security deposits to bar non-serious candidates from contesting elections
History of Indian Elections
The first three general elections in India were considered free and fair. However, concerns about corruption, criminalization of politics, misuse of government machinery, and other issues began to surface after the fourth general election in 1967. Since then, various committees and commissions have been established to address these challenges and suggest electoral reforms.
Major Political Parties in India
India has a multi-party system with several significant parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Indian National Congress (INC), the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and others. These parties compete in electoral politics and form coalitions at the center and in states.
Electoral Reforms in India
Efforts to reform the electoral process in India have been ongoing since the 1970s, with various parliamentary committees, law commissions, and even foreign studies proposing changes to improve the democratic process. Some notable milestones include:
- Lowering the voting age to 18 years
- Regulating donations to political parties and financing of political parties by the state
- Attempts to combat corruption and black money evasion
However, there are still many unaddressed areas that require attention, such as the impact of money power, muscle power, communalism, casteism, lack of moral values in politics, and other forms of electoral malpractices.
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Description
Explore the history and functioning of Indian elections, including the role of the Indian Election Commission, the voting system, proposed electoral reforms, major political parties, and ongoing efforts for electoral reforms. Learn about the challenges faced and the need for continuous improvement in the electoral process.
