RBSE Class 11 Political Science Notes Chapter 3 Election and Representation

These comprehensive RBSE Class 11 Political Science Notes Chapter 3 Election and Representation will give a brief overview of all the concepts.

RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 3 Notes Election and Representation

→ Meaning of Democracy:
The term ‘Democracy’ is derived from the Greek words— Demos and kratos. the former meaning the ‘people’ and the latter implying to ‘power. Democracy, thus, means ‘power of the people’ or ‘rule of multitude’. Democracy means that the government of the state is to run by the people. People will have a share in the administration of the state.

→ Need of Elections

• Without elections, democracy is not possible and the rule of the people is neither possible nor desirable.
• Without elections, it is not possible to select the representatives. It is not possible for all the people to sit at one place and select the representatives on the basis of knowledge and education. Hence, elections are essential for a democratic system.

→ Election Commission of India:
Art. 324 of the Constitution lays down that the Election Commission consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and a number of other Election Commissioners that the President may from time to time fix. The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners is made by the President. Before each general election, the President also appoints, in consultation with the Election Commission, such Regional Commissioners as he considers necessary to assist the Election Commission. At present, the Election Commission is a multi-member body consisting of three members. The tenure and other service conditions of the Election Commission are determined by the President. Generally, the Election Commissioner is appointed for a period of six years. The conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.

→ Functions Performed by Election Commission:

• The Election Commission supervises, directs and controls the elections. Such functions include elections to the Parliament, the legislature of every State and to the offices of the President and the Vice-President. 
• The Election Commission prepares electoral rolls and the delimitations of constituencies. It also considers the objections raised in this regard. The revision of electoral rolls takes place before every general elections.
• The Election Commission appoints returning officers and assistant returning officers to conduct the election.
• The Election Commission allots election symbols to political parties and to the independent candidates. If there is any dispute or controversy about the symbol, an appeal against the decision of the Election Commission can be made to the Supreme Court.

→ Reforms which may help to improve the electoral process in India:
For free and fair elections, the Election Commission should adopt the following measures:

• The Election Commission should prepare electoral rolls properly. The electoral rolls should be open for additions and deductions every three months after the general revision is completed.
• The Election Commission should enforce rules of conduct vigorously.
• Every effort should be made to check the role of money in elections.
• The Election Commission should create such conditions so that the voters can cast their votes without any fear.

→ First Past The Post (FPTP) System:
The First Past The Post system is also known as territorial system. The First Past The Post system is adopted by most of the modern democratic states. In this system, the total electorate of the country is divided into territorial units called Constituencies which elect one representative to the legislature. At present, Lok Sabha consists of 543 elected members. Hence, the entire country is divided into 543 constituencies. Each constituency elects one representative.

Every citizen of India of not less than 18 years has the right to vote. The voting is conducted by secret ballot. The candidate who secures the highest number of votes in that constituency is declared elected. The winning candidate need not secure a majority of the votes. This method, is known as the First Past The Post (FPTP) because in this method, the candidate who is ahead of others, who crosses the winning post first of all, is declared elected.