Understanding elections is important for understanding how democracy works in India. In this chapter, students learn about Universal Adult Franchise, the Election Commission of India (ECI), different types of elections, and how representatives are elected. The chapter also explains the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, President and Vice President elections, the First-Past-the-Post system, and the Model Code of Conduct. These Class 8 notes explain all the important topics in very easy words and simple sentences, making them useful for beginners and quick revision.
Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Class 8 Notes
Universal Adult Franchise
The Universal Adult Franchise means that every adult citizen has a right to vote.
- In India, every citizen aged 18 or greater can give a vote.
- One person can give only one vote.
- Every vote has an equal value.
- The person can give a vote only when their name is registered in the voter list.
- The person is not allowed to give any other person a vote.
- The person is not allowed if he/she is involved in a certain serious crime.
Who can give a vote?
A person can give a vote regardless of caste, religion, gender, race, education, and income. Because of this, it is called the “Universal” adult franchise. It applies to all the Indian citizens whose age is equal to or more than 18 years.
Why is the Universal Adult Franchise important?
Universal adult franchise is an important part of Indian democracy because —
- Everyone gets a voice—every adult citizen is important in India; they can choose their representative.
- All the votes are equal—both rich and poor people vote have the same value.
- No discrimination—People cannot deny their voting right because of religion, caste, education, gender, or income.
- People choose their leader—citizens can decide who will represent them.
- It makes democracy stronger—more people can take part in the government.
Where is it used?
Universal adult franchise is used in elections for:
- Lok Sabha
- State Legislative Assemblies
- Local elections in villages and cities
Article 326 of the Indian Constitution deals with elections based on adult suffrage.
Bridging Barriers, Enabling Participation: Ensuring Universal Franchise
Democracy works well when very few get a chance to vote. Voting helps the people to choose their leaders and express their choice.
Why are elections in India challenging?
India is a very large and diverse country.
- India has a very large number of voters.
- India has a large geographical area.
- People live in villages, cities, mountains, forests, and remote areas.
- Because of this, conducting elections for everyone in India is a big task.
Role of the Election Commission of India?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) organized the election in the country. The ECI aim is to make voting easier for everyone.
How does the ECI help voters?
The election officers travel to difficult places and the remote area so that the people can give a vote. The ECI also takes steps to help elderly people and people with disabilities like
- In 2024, the elder people and disabled people can give a vote in their homes.
- Postal voting is also available for some of the categories of voters.
- Braille-enabled voter cards helped voters with visual disabilities.
- People can use the app to give requests for help, such as a wheelchair or ramp.
The Role of the Election Commission of India (ECI)
The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays an important role in organizing and supervising elections in India.
Election Commission of India—A Brief Introduction
The ECI was established in 1950; it was an independent constitutional body. Its main job is to conduct free and fair elections. The first general election of independent India was held in 1951-52. It conducts elections for—
- Lok Sabha
- Rajya Sabha
- State Legislative Assemblies
- President of India
- Vice President of India
Managing Elections in India
Conducting elections in India is a very big task because of the
- Large population
- Large number of voters
- Many states and union territories.
- Different geographical areas like villages, mountains, cities, and remote areas.
ECI uses modern methods and technology to conduct elections in India. Elections are held at different times and take place in different parts of India throughout the year.
Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
The Model Code of Conduct is the rule for political parties, leaders, and candidates during the election. The purpose is to make the election free, fair, and peaceful. Some of the important rules are—
- Rules for the party in government—The government is not allowed to misuse their power in the time of election or influence voters. For example, the government should not announce any new scheme or projects during the election period.
- Rules for candidates—Candidates and political parties have to behave responsibly and keep the election peaceful.
- No gifts for voters—giving gifts or other benefits to the people in exchange for their votes is not allowed, and it is a punishable offense.
Understanding Elections in India — A Very Brief Overview
Election to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies
Election is also known as the “Festival of Democracy” because people get a chance to choose their representatives. India has a parliamentary system of government, and elections are held at different levels—
- National level → Lok Sabha
- State level → State Legislative Assemblies
- Local level → Cities and villages
Lok Sabha Elections
India is divided into 543 constituencies for Lok Sabha elections. A person elected to the Lok Sabha is called a Member of Parliament (MP). A person elected to a State Legislative Assembly is called a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). India uses the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system.
What is the First-Past-the-Post system?
India uses the FPTP system; it means that the candidate who gets the most votes will win. The winner does not always need more than 50% of the votes. Suppose there are 33 voters—
- Candidate A got 12 votes.
- Candidate B got 10 votes
- Candidate C got 7 votes.
- Candidate D got 4 votes.
Candidate “A” wins because he got the highest votes, even though 12 is less than half of 33.
How did the government form?
After the election the government is formed. At the national level, the party that gets a majority of Lok Sabha seats forms the government. The leader of the majority party usually becomes the prime minister.
At the state level, the party with a majority in the State Legislative Assembly forms the government. Its leader usually becomes the Chief Minister.
State Election Commission
The State Election Commission also has an important role. It conducts the elections for the local bodies such as
- Villages → Panchayats
- Cities → Municipal bodies
The same basic democratic principles, such as universal adult franchise, apply to these direct elections too.
Election to the Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament. Its members are also called Members of Parliament (MPs).
How are the Rajya Sabha members chosen?
The Rajya Sabha members are chosen through an indirect election. In indirect election, people are not directly elected by the people. Insted, they are elected by the representative vote for the candidate. For example, in school, if students elect a class representative and then those class representatives choose the school council members, it is an indirect election.
Who Choose Rajya Sabha Members?
There are 245 members in the Rajya Sabha.
- 233 members are elected by the MLAs of the states and the union territories.
- 12 members are nominated by the President of India.
The number of Rajya Sabha seats is different for different states, like –
The states that have large populations generally have more seats. For example, Uttar Pradesh has more Rajya seats than Arunachal Pradesh.
Rajya Sabha – Permanent House
The Rajya Sabha is called the Permanent House because it is never completely dissolved. Each Rajya Sabha member has a 6 year term.
- One third of the member retire every 2 years.
- The new members are elected to replace them.
Single Transferrable Vote
Rajya Sabha elections use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system. It has a special voting system which helps to provide fair representation, including smaller state.
Election of the President of India
The President of India is not directly elected by the people. Instead, the president is elected by a group called the Electoral College.
Who is in the Electoral College?
The Electoral College includes
- Elected Members of Parliament (MPs) from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- Elected Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) from states, Delhi, and Puducherry.
The election uses the Single Transferable Vote system.
Who does NOT vote for the president?
The following do not take part in the election:
- Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha
- Nominated members of state legislative assemblies
- Members of State Legislative Councils
- Nominated members from Delhi and Puducherry
Election of the Vice President of India
The vice president is also elected indirectly. The Electoral College consists of elected and nominated members of both houses of Parliament.
- Lok Sabha
- Rajya Sabha
The Single Transferable Vote system is used.
Role of Vice President
The vice president is a chair person of the Rajya Sabha. If the president is unable to perform their duties, then the vice president can perform the president’s duty.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
India’s elections are the world’s largest democratic exercise. The electro system also faces some challenges like
- Money power—The large amount of money can influence the elections.
- Candidates with criminal records—Some of the candidates have criminal cases or records.
- Voter apathy—Some people cannot take interest in voting.
How can we improve democracy?
The people have to make the right decision to choose their representatives.
- Education can help the people to understand elections.
- Media can help to provide useful information.
- The awareness of campaigns can help the people to vote responsibly.
- Young people should learn about their voting rights.
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