The chapter notes explain how representatives are elected. Additionally, we explain why elections are important and beneficial in a democratic society. The notes expand on how electoral rivalry between parties benefits the public and enables students to discern between democratic and non-democratic elections.
What is an ‘Election’?
The mechanism by which people can choose their representatives at regular intervals and change them if they wish to do so is called election.
In a democratic election, an electoral roll is prepared which consists of those who are eligible to vote. The list is also called ‘Voters List’.
Assembly Election in Haryana
In 1987, the state of Haryana had been ruled by a congress party led government since 1982. A movement in the opposition called ‘Nyaya Yudh’ was also running under the leadership of an opposition leader, Chaudhary Devi Lal.
The movement led to the formation of a new party called ‘Lok Dal’. The ruling party then had a front against it in the elections, with the merger of the Lok dal & other opposition parties.
Devi Lal made a statement during his election campaign, that if his party won the elections, his government would waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen. He promised that this would be the first action of his government.
The people were unhappy with the existing government. They were also attracted by Devi Lal’ s promise. As in the elections, they voted overwhelmingly in favour of Lok Dal and its allies.
Lok Dal and its partners won 76 out of 90 seats in the State Assembly. Lok Dal alone won 60 seats and thus had a clear majority in the Assembly. The Congress could win only 5 seats also the Chief Minister of the state resigned.
Hence, Devi Lal was chosen as the leader by the newly elected Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Lok Dal chose Devi Lal as their leader. Therefore, Devi Lal became the new Chief Minister three days after the declaration of the result. As soon as he came in power his Government issued a memorandum waiving the outstanding loans of small farmers, agricultural labourers and small businessmen.
Lok Dal remained in power for the next four years but did not manage to win the 1991 elections, though congress formed the government.
Why do we need elections?
Many democracies conduct elections to enable people to choose their own representatives. The very fact is that in any democratic country, all citizens neither have the time nor the knowledge to participate in the law-making process. Also, the large population numbers makes it impossible for the people to frame laws for themselves.
An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office. As elections are essential and in an election the voters make many choices:
● They can choose who will make laws