Election, Political Parties And Pressure Groups

Independent India came into existence on 15^th August 1947, and the constitution for the nation was framed on 26^th January 1950. The constitution declares India as a democratic nation and the government to be formed by conducting the election. The electoral system of India has been adopted from the United Kingdom. We follow universal Adult franchise where every person above 18years of age could cast their vote.

Article 324 of the Indian constitution provides for independent, free and fair election n the country. The election in the country is conducted by Election Commission of India which is an independent constitutional body. The body consists of Chief election commissioner and two election commissioner, all are appointed by the president of India.

Article 324 of the Indian constitution provides for independent, free and fair election n the country. The election in the country is conducted by Election Commission of India which is an independent constitutional body. The election is the basis of democracy and ensuring the free and fair election is the duty of the government.

Article 324 of the Indian constitution provides for independent, free and fair election n the country. The election in the country is conducted by Election Commission of India which is an independent constitutional body. The body consists of Chief election commissioner and two election commissioner, all are appointed by the president of India.

The political parties have to get them registered with the Election Commission in order to contest the election.

The EC has made norms like the minimum number of votes the party has to secure in the assembly election in order to get the status of a recognized party.

A party has to get minimum 6% of total votes in Lok Sabha or state assembly elections in four states and win at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha, is recognized as a national party.

Article 324 of the Indian constitution provides for independent, free and fair election n the country. The election in the country is conducted by Election Commission of India which is an independent constitutional body. The body consists of Chief election commissioner and two election commissioner, all are appointed by the president of India.

NOTA means None of the Above

This option button is now embedded in the Electronic voting machine. When any citizen is not willing to vote for any candidate they can opt for NOTA.

Pressure Group is a term used for people or a group of people who work for a common cause. It is an organization where people actively participate and promote the cause, unlike political parties they do not participate in election procedure.

In India, a number of pressure groups exist like All India Kisan Sabha, Indian Medical Association etc.

But the Concept of a pressure group is much more flourished in western nations especially the USA.

The Election Commission of India is a body of three members.

Explanation: The body consists of Chief election commissioner and two election commissioners, all are appointed by the president of India.

National Voters day has been celebrated on 25^th January.

Election is the basis of democracy and ensuring the free and fair election is the duty of the government. The day is celebrated to increase awareness among the masses to participate in the electoral process and cast their vote.

In India multi party system is followed.

Explanation: In the multi-party system, when the political parties compete with each other, there comes a situation when more than the two parties have a high chance of winning if they contest together.

In 2017, there were seven recognised national parties.

Explanation: The political parties must get them registered with the Election Commission in order to contest the election. Pressure Group is a term used for people or a group of people who work for a common cause. It is an organization where people actively participate and promote the cause, unlike political parties they do not participate in election procedure. The EC has made norms like the minimum number of votes the party has to secure in the assembly election in order to get the status of a recognized party.

Narmada Bachao Andolan is a pressure Group

A pressure group is an organization where people work for a common cause.

Narmada Bachao Andolan was initiated against the government plan of constructing a dam on the river by displacing a number of villages from the region.

The initiative was against the government and stop them from doing so.

1. National Party: Seven

By 2017 there is 7 recognized national parties in the country.

2. Single Party System: China

In China, there is only one party i.e. the Communist Party of China. Though the election is conducted in China only the candidates from the particular party are allowed to contest.

3. Two Part: USA

In the USA, only two-party contest election one is Democratic Party and another is the Republican party.

4. Pressure Groups: Trade Unions

Pressure Group is a term used for people or a group of people who work for a common cause. It is an organization where people actively participate and promote the cause, unlike political parties they do not participate in election procedure.

Article 324 of the Indian constitution provides for independent, free and fair election n the country.

a. The election in the country is conducted by Election Commission of India which is an independent constitutional body. The election is the basis of democracy and ensuring the free and fair election is the duty of the government.

b. The members of parliament are elected by direct election through universal adult franchise. The parliament that consists of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, make provisions like preparing electoral rolls, delimiting the constituencies.

c. With respect to States, the state legislature assembly makes the provisions for the processing of elections in the concerned states.

The Prime Minister is the executive head of the country. He/She belongs to the winning political party and is elected for the term of five years.

The states are headed by the Chief Minister, he/she is elected through the state legislative assembly election.

A political party is a group of people with a similar ideology, who contest elections of a nation and form a ruling government. Every member of a particular party works on the same front, their methods might differ, but their aim is the same.

The essential of a political party is:

a. A Leader: The one who forms the party and its agendas and leads the consequent members of the party.

b. The Active members: They are people who promote the party’s work and ideologies throughout the region and nation. Every state has members of different parties.

c. The followers: They are the people or rather common citizens who are influenced by these parties and wants to be governed by it. They are inspired by the works and ideologies of the party.

There are different types of party system.

a. There is a one-party system where only one party is allowed to run the government, like China.

b. There is two parties system where only two parties contest election like the USA.

c. A multi-party system where several parties contest the election. E.g. India.

There are pressure groups that do not contest elections but lead the movements against the government. They raise their voices for poor and marginalized.

Pressure Group is a term used for people or a group of people who work for a common cause. It is an organization where people actively participate and promote the cause.

Example: Narmada Bachao Andolan was initiated against the government plan of constructing a dam on the river by displacing a number of villages from the region.

The initiative was against the government and stop them from doing so.

There are two types of election direct and indirect election.

Direct election: When the consensus of common people is involved in the election procedure. In this system people directly cast vote for their representatives.

In India, as per the constitution, every citizen who is above 18years of age can cast his/her vote and choose the representative.

After every five years, Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections are conducted and by casting their vote people to elect the government.

Indirect Election: The representatives are elected indirectly by the people. Example: Election of the president, here the elected representative participates in the election procedure of the president.

Merits of direct election:

a. It is the most democratic method of election as people choices are directly taken into consideration.

b. By participating in the election people also get involved in government procedures and activities.

c. It increases the accountability of the representative and the government.

Demerits of the direct election:

a. The method is very expensive. The election commission set up a polling booth in every constituency.

b. The people who are uneducated get easily carried away by the false promises made by the contestants.

c. The contestants and the parties attract specific religion, caste, community to get people ’s votes in their favor. This increases confliction.

d. Many times violence occurs at the polling booths which affect the regional people.

A political party is a group of people with a similar ideology, to contest elections of a nation and form a ruling government. Century ago there were few countries that had political parties, but now every country except few have political parties, who contest the elections and forms government to run the country.

A Political party is synonymous to democracy, the election is vital for any democracy to contest elections these political parties are necessary.

They are necessary due to the following reasons:

a. The parties frame policies and agendas that are for the welfare of the entire nation. Any policy is not just directed towards a single person, but for all.

b. They promote their ideas for the national good during the election and promise to work towards it.

c. They put forward programmes that are for the upliftment of backward communities.

d. Multiple parties create a sense of competition which can act as a motivation for a leader to work more towards the larger goal.

There are pressure groups that do not contest elections but lead the movements against the government. They raise their voices for poor and marginalized.

There exists a large number of pressure groups in India. They represent or raise their voices for a specific community or cause.

The pressure groups exist for Trade Unions, Agrarian groups etc.

The functions of pressure groups are:

a. They raise their voices for a specific section of society and plea before government. They perform activities like marching, petition, demonstration `to mobilize the population.

b. They keep commenting on government activities and raise the accountability of political parties.

c. Sometimes these political parties render advice to the government during policy formulation.

Example: Narmada Bachao Andolan was initiated against the government plan of constructing a dam on the river by displacing a number of villages from the region.

The initiative was against the government and stop them from doing so.

A regional party is one that is restricted to a particular state, it supports the grievances of that particular state mostly. The party identifies itself with regions’ culture, language, and religion. They participate in the state assembly election of that particular state only.

There are six national parties in India, namely Indian National Congress, BJP, Bahujan Samaj Party, Communist Party of India-Marxist, Communist Party of India, National Congress Party. Apart from these rest, all other parties are regional parties.

These parties are classified by the Election Commission.

These are established in a particular state only.

Example: Samajwadi Party, Samata party.

The EC has made norms like the minimum number of votes the party has to secure in the assembly election in order to get the status of a recognized party.

A party has to get minimum 6% of total votes in Lok Sabha or state assembly elections in four states and win at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha, is recognized as a national party.

There are total 7 national political parties in India.