Tag: elections in indian society

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.

Eighth General elections were held in the year 1984.

These elections took place immediately after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister.

If the Lok Sabha or the Vidhan Sabha elections are held simultaneously in all the constituencies, then it is called General Elections. Earlier up to 1957 simultaneous elections were held for both the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies. However, on account of early dismissal and mid-term elections, the two gradually separated.

The general election to the 15th Lok Sabha brought cheers to the Indian National Congress, when the result of the elections were declared on May16, 2009. The Congress on its own won 206 seats, the BJP secured only 116.

The right to vote in India is based on political equality to all people and is founded on the principle of Universal Adult suffrage that is every citizen who is or above the age of 18 years has the right to vote and each vote has one value irrespective of any division.