📖 PART 1: Definition and Relevance

India is the world's largest democracy. Free, fair, and regular elections are essential to hold the government accountable to the people and to ensure that power transfers peacefully.

🗺️ PART 2: Delimitation of Constituencies

• Delimitation ensures that each constituency has roughly equal population, so that each vote has approximately equal weight.
• The Delimitation Commission (set up by Parliament) carries out delimitation — the last major delimitation was done in 2002 (based on 2001 Census data), and it was decided to freeze seat allocations until 2026.
• India has 543 Lok Sabha constituencies (corresponding to 543 elected MPs) and various Vidhan Sabha constituencies in each state.

📋 PART 3: Voter Lists (Electoral Rolls)

• A Voter List (Electoral Roll) is a list of all eligible voters in a constituency. It is essential — only those on the list can vote.
• The Election Commission is responsible for maintaining and updating voter lists. Lists are revised periodically; citizens can register themselves or correct details by applying to the Electoral Registration Officer.
• Eligibility to vote: Citizen of India; 18 years or above; not of unsound mind; not disqualified by law (e.g., convicted criminals serving sentences).
• The Voter ID Card (EPIC — Electoral Photo Identity Card) was introduced to identify voters and prevent bogus voting.

🏃 PART 4: Nomination, Campaigning and Polling

Nomination

• Any person wishing to contest an election must file a nomination paper with the Returning Officer (an official appointed by the ECI). The nomination must be supported by a certain number of voters from the constituency.
• Candidates must pay a security deposit (₹25,000 for Lok Sabha; ₹12,500 for Vidhan Sabha — refundable if they win 1/6th of valid votes cast).
• The Returning Officer scrutinises nominations and can reject invalid ones. Candidates can also withdraw their nomination within a specified time.

Election Campaign

• After the nomination process, candidates and parties campaign to win voter support. Campaigns include speeches, rallies, door-to-door canvassing, TV and radio advertisements, and social media.
• The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into force from the date of the announcement of the election schedule. It prohibits:
  • Use of government machinery (resources, vehicles) for campaigning.
  • Bribery or incitement of voters.
  • Appeals to voters on the basis of religion, caste, or community.
  • New government schemes being announced after the MCC kicks in.
• Campaigning must stop 48 hours before polling (silence period).

Polling (Voting)

• India uses Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) — introduced nationwide from 2004 elections. EVMs replaced paper ballot boxes and made elections faster, cheaper, and more tamper-proof.
• VVPAT (Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) — Introduced since 2013. The voter can see (for 7 seconds) a printed slip in a glass case confirming the symbol they voted for. This allows post-election verification.
• Voters must carry valid ID proof (EPIC or any of 12 approved alternative IDs). Their name is checked on the voter list.
• Polling agents of candidates may observe the polling process to ensure fairness.

🏛️ PART 5: The Election Commission of India (ECI)

Composition of the ECI

• The ECI consists of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two other Election Commissioners.
• All are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Cabinet.
• The CEC can only be removed by a process similar to the removal of a Supreme Court judge (address by both Houses of Parliament with special majority) — this ensures independence.
• The Election Commissioners can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the CEC.

Powers and Functions of the ECI

• Prepares and maintains voter rolls (electoral rolls).
• Sets the schedule, date(s), and timing of elections.
• Announces and enforces the Model Code of Conduct.
• Recognises political parties and allots them election symbols.
• Monitors election expenditure by candidates.
• Can postpone or cancel elections in constituencies where violence or irregularities occur.
• Can refer election disputes to the courts.

📝 Quick Revision – Key Facts