Class 9 – Democratic Politics – Chapter 3
Electoral Politics — Complete Notes (Exam-Oriented, Copy Style)
1. Case Study: Assembly Elections in Haryana (1987)
• Haryana elections of 1987 are taken as an example to understand electoral politics.
• Main Leader: Chaudhary Devi Lal (leader of Lok Dal).
• Formed an alliance with other opposition parties under the banner of Janata Dal.
• Promised: waiving of farmers’ loans and providing relief to workers.
• Result: Lok Dal and allies won 76 out of 90 seats → huge victory.
• Defeat: Ruling Congress party lost badly, even its Chief Minister lost.
• Outcome: Devi Lal became the Chief Minister.
• Promise kept: Within days, government waived loans for farmers and small businessmen.
• Lesson: Elections give people the power to remove unpopular governments and hold leaders accountable.
2. Why Do We Need Elections?
• They allow people to choose who will make laws for them.
• They allow people to choose who will form the government and take major decisions.
• They provide a way for people to remove leaders who do not perform.
• They make sure government is accountable to the people.
3. What Makes an Election Democratic?
• Every citizen’s vote must have equal value → one person, one vote, one value.
• Regular elections must be held at fixed intervals.
• Free and fair process → candidates must be free to contest, and voters must be free to choose.
• Real choice → ruling party should have a fair chance of losing.
• Acceptance of outcome → results must be accepted by all as legitimate.
• Examples: China (no real choice), Mexico (PRI domination till 2000), India (multi-party, fair competition).
4. How Are Elections Held in India?
• Constituencies: India divided into constituencies, each elects one representative.
• Lok Sabha elections → 543 constituencies (each elects 1 MP).
• Reserved Constituencies: 84 SC & 47 ST seats in Lok Sabha; 1/3 seats for women in local bodies.
• Voters’ List: Every Indian citizen aged 18+ has right to vote. Known as Universal Adult Franchise. Voter ID
issued.
• Nomination: Candidates file form + deposit; declare criminal cases, assets, education. Minimum age: 25
years.
• Election Campaign: 2-week period; rallies, posters, media; no use of religion/caste/government machinery.
• Polling & Counting: Voting at booths using EVMs (with VVPAT). Counting supervised by Returning Officer.
5. Election Commission of India (ECI)
• Independent constitutional body (Article 324).
• Headed by Chief Election Commissioner + other commissioners.
• Controls elections of Parliament, Assemblies, President, Vice-President.
• Prepares voters’ list, enforces code of conduct, supervises all stages of election.
• Can order repoll, transfer officials, ensure free & fair elections.
6. Election Campaign in Detail
• Traditional methods: door-to-door, posters, processions.
• Modern methods: TV, radio, newspapers, social media.
• Model Code of Conduct: bans hate speeches, use of religion/caste, misuse of govt. machinery.
• Ministers cannot announce new projects after elections are declared.
7. Challenges to Free and Fair Elections
• Money power: Rich candidates spend heavily on campaigns.
• Muscle power: Intimidation, booth capturing (earlier common).
• Misuse of government machinery by ruling party.
• Criminalization of politics: candidates with criminal background contest.
• Faulty voters’ list: missing names or fake entries.
8. Reforms and Safeguards
• Model Code of Conduct strictly enforced by ECI.
• Voter ID (EPIC) prevents bogus voting.
• EVMs with VVPAT increase transparency.
• Candidates must declare assets and criminal cases.
• Reserved constituencies ensure fair representation.
9. Important Facts (MCQ/Objective)
• Voting age: 18 years (since 1989).
• Candidate age for Lok Sabha/Assembly: 25 years.
• Lok Sabha constituencies: 543.
• Reserved Lok Sabha seats: 84 SC, 47 ST.
• ECI Article: 324.
• Head of ECI: Chief Election Commissioner.
• First Lok Sabha elections: 1951-52.
• Haryana case leader: Chaudhary Devi Lal.
10. Differences (Distinguish Between)
• China vs India: China → only Communist Party, no real choice. India → multiparty, real competition.
• Mexico vs India: Mexico (before 2000) → PRI always won unfairly. India → peaceful transfers, ruling parties
often lose.
