Tag: political science

Elections are the essence of democracy because they allow people to exercise their fundamental power of voting to elect their rulers. It is the active participation of the people that makes democracy a great success.

The final stage of an election is the day when the voters cast or ‘poll’ their vote. That day is usually called the election day. Every person whose name is on the voters’ list can go to a nearby ‘polling booth’, situated usually in a local school or a government office. Thus, Polling Booth is a place where arrangements are made so people can cast their vote.

Amongst other qualifications that a person must be a citizen of  India and not otherwise qualified by Parliamentary law, the age for contesting elections to the Lok Sabha is 25 years or above.

In Mexico, since its independence in 1930, the elections to elect President are held after every five years.

The final stage of an election is the day when the voters cast or ‘poll’ their vote. That day is usually called the election day. Every person whose name is on the voter's list can go to a nearby ‘polling booth’, situated usually in a local school or a government office.

The most powerful organ of the State is National People's Congress (NPC) i.e., Chinese Parliament. It is made up of nearly 3000 delegates elected by China's provinces.

Zimbabwe attained independence from White minority rule in 1980. Since then the country has been ruled by ZANU-PF, the party that led the freedom struggle. Its leader, Robert Mugabe has been ruling the country since independence. Elections have been held regularly and always won by ZANU-PF. President Mugabe is popular but also uses unfair practices in elections. He is known for regularly changing the constitution to increase his power to make the post of the president less accountable.  Opposition party workers are harassed and their meeting disrupted. Public protests and demonstrations against the government are declared illegal.

Since its independence in 1930, Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President. The country has never been under a military or dictator’s rule. But until 2000 every election was won by a party called PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party). Opposition parties did contest elections but never managed to win. The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections. All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings. Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI. The media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticize them. Sometimes the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their votes.

Since its independence in 1930, Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President. The country has never been under a military or dictator’s rule. But until 2000 every election was won by a party called PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party). Opposition parties did contest elections but never managed to win. The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections. All those who were employed in government offices had to attend its party meetings. Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI. The media largely ignored the activities of opposition political parties except to criticise them. Sometimes the polling booths were shifted from one place to another in the last minute, which made it difficult for people to cast their votes.

In China, elections are held after 5 years for electing the Country's Parliament. However, the dominance of a single party i.e., Chinese Communist Party gives fewer options to people there in choosing their representatives.