Importance of Democratic Elections and Political Competition
* Devi Lal led the Nyaya Yudh movement and was the leader of the Lok Dal party in Haryana.
* Devi Lal won the state election against the ruling Congress party with the clear majority because of his promise to waive the outstanding loans of all farmers and small businessmen in the state.
* Devi Lal became the Chief Minister of Haryana in 1987.
* After being sworn in as the Chief Minister, Devi Lal waived the outstanding loans of all farmers and small businessmen in the state.
* His party was ruled for four years.
* In the democratic election, everyone has an equal right to vote, different parties and candidates contest freely and the voters have a right to choose their representative at regular intervals.
* The Elections are carried out in a free and fair manner.
* Political competition creates a sense of disunity among different political groups.
* Unhealthy political competition deters good and deserving people from participating in the competition and as a result the people lose out an able representative.
* In an electoral competition, people appraise their elected representative based on their performance as a people representative.
System of Elections in India.
The election system in India consists of the following stages:
* They cannot spend more than Rs 25 Lakh per constituency
* Delimitation of constituencies.
* Reservation of constituencies for scheduled castes and scheduled Tribes, and also Other Backward Classes and Women.
* Preparation of the voters list.
* Every citizen aged 1 year or above is eligible to vote and a voter aged 25 years or above is also eligible for contesting an election.
* Nomination of candidates by political parties.
* Submission of nominations by candidates along with a security deposit.
* Campaigning of about two weeks.
* Polling on Election Day.
What Makes Elections in Indian Democratic
* During an election, many political parties adopt unfair means to get more votes.
* No political party can win elections through such unfair practices alone.
* The elections system in India id controlled and governed by the elections Commission.
* The commission is headed by a Chief Election Commissioner appointed by the President.
* The present Elections Commissioner is Naveen Chawla.
The Election Commission in India performs the following functions:
* Drafts and implements the Code of Conduct for elections.
* Takes disciplinary action against parties or candidates violating it.
* Advises the government on decision affecting the election.
* Controls the transfer of government officials across departments and roles.
* Controls the work of government officials on election duty.
* Orders a re-poll in case of any evidence of unfair practice.