Chapter – 3

Election and Representation

In this post we have given the detailed notes of Class 11 Political Science Book 2 Chapter 3 (Election and Representation) in English. These notes are useful for the students who are going to appear in Class 11 board exams.

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Chapter 3: Election and Representation

Introduction

• Elections, like games, need rules and an impartial umpire to ensure fairness.  
• In democracies, these rules are laid down in the constitution.  
• This chapter explores different methods of election, the system adopted in India, the importance of free and fair elections, and the debate on electoral reforms.  

Elections and Democracy

• Elections are the most visible symbol of democracy, enabling representation in large populations.  
• Direct democracy, where citizens directly participate in decision-making, is suitable for smaller groups like gram sabhas.  
• In larger democracies, indirect democracy is practiced, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.  
• Not all elections are democratic; non-democratic rulers may use elections to maintain power.  
• Constitutions in democratic countries outline the rules for elections, including voter eligibility, candidate eligibility, and election supervision.  

Types of Elections.

• First Past the Post (FPTP)

  • This is the system used in India.  
  • The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, even if they don’t get a majority of the votes.  
  • It’s simple to understand and usually leads to a two-party system.  
  • It can be unfair to smaller parties and minorities.  

• Proportional Representation (PR)

  • Seats in the legislature are allocated to each party in proportion to the votes they get.  
  • There are two variations: one where the entire country is one constituency, and one where the country is divided into multi-member constituencies.  
  • It’s fairer to smaller parties and minorities, but can be more complicated.  
  • India uses a version of PR for the Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishads.

Election Systems in India

• India uses the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, where the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins, even without a majority.  
• The FPTP system is simple to understand and allows for clear choices, but it can lead to disproportionate results between votes and seats won.  
• Other countries use Proportional Representation (PR) systems, where seats are allocated based on the proportion of votes each party receives.  
• India uses a variation of the PR system for indirect elections like the Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishads, using the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.  

Why India Adopted the FPTP System

• Simplicity: Easy to understand for common voters.  
• Clear Choice: Voters choose a specific candidate or party.  
• Accountability: Voters can hold their elected representative accountable.  
• Stable Government: Facilitates the formation of a stable government in a parliamentary system.  
• Encourages Diverse Coalitions: Encourages voters from different social groups to come together to win elections.  

Reservation of Constituencies

• India has reserved constituencies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to ensure fair representation of oppressed social groups.  
• The Delimitation Commission decides which constituencies are reserved based on population composition.  
• There is a demand for reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, but it has not yet been passed.  

Free and Fair Elections

• India ensures free and fair elections through universal franchise, the right to contest elections, and an independent Election Commission.  
• The Election Commission supervises and conducts elections, ensuring an impartial and transparent process.  

Independent Election Commission

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent body responsible for conducting elections. 
• It can be a single-member or multi-member body.  
• The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners have equal powers.  
• They are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Council of Ministers.  
• The Constitution ensures the security of tenure for the CEC and Election Commissioners.  

Functions of the Election Commission

• Prepares and updates electoral rolls.  
• Determines election timing and prepares the election schedule.  
• Ensures a free and fair poll by taking necessary decisions.  
• Accords recognition to political parties and allots symbols.  
• Conducts elections with the help of administrative machinery.  

Electoral Reforms

• There are suggestions for electoral reforms, including changing to a PR system, reserving seats for women, and controlling the role of money in politics.  
• Apart from legal reforms, people’s vigilance and active engagement in political activities are essential for free and fair elections.    

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