Page 2 - Lesson Notes
P. 2

PROCESS OF ELECTION


        Voters’ List

              In a democratic election, the list of those who are eligible to vote is prepared much before the
               election and given to everyone, which is officially called the Electoral Roll and is commonly
               known as the Voters’ List.
              It is the responsibility of the government to get the names of all the eligible voters put on the
               voters’ list.
              The voters are required to carry Election Photo Identity Card [EPIC] when they go out to vote,
               so that no one can vote for someone else.
              But the card is not yet compulsory for voting as voters can show many other proofs of identity,
               like the ration card or the driving license.

        Nomination of Candidates

        Anyone who can be a voter can also become a candidate in elections. The candidate should be a
        minimum of 25 years age. Every person who wishes to contest an election has to fill out a ‘nomination
        form’ and give some money as ‘security deposit’. The 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.  Educational qualifications of the candidate


        This information is made available to the public so that voters can make their decision on the basis of
        the information provided by the candidates.


        Election Campaign

        The election campaigns are conducted to have a free and open discussion about who is a better
        Representative and in turn, which party will make a better government. In India, Election Campaigns
        take place for a two-week period between the announcement of the final list of candidates and the
        date of polling. During this period the candidates contact their voters, political leaders address
        election meetings and political parties mobilise their supporters.

        If any Political Party does so, their election can be rejected by the court. In addition to the laws, all the
        political parties in our country have agreed to a Model Code of Conduct for election campaigns.
        According to this, no party or candidate can:


              Use any place of worship for election propaganda;

              Use government vehicles, aircraft and officials for elections
              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
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