Activities:

Organize an essay competition on Elections.

ELECTIONS

Elections are the most important instruments of democracy. It is only through elections, that the citizens can make their voices heard and pass their judgement on the working of the government.

Hence, in India, elections are almost like a celebration. People come out in large numbers to elect the representatives who will provide them a say, at the national level. Elections last for weeks at a time, with various constituencies going to vote in differing phases. There is a certain euphoria and the fragrance of marigold, that’s seems to emanate from the constantly garlanded candidates. Major public rallies, road shows and even 3-D hologram shows, are held to appease the public, and pass on the ideology and competency of the candidates to the citizens. Ads are run on TV and social media, and interviewers have a field time.

Elections happen every 5 years in India. Their operation is controlled by the independent Election Commission of India, which has three members-the chief Election Commissioner and two election commissioners. They ensure that the elections happen in a free and fair manner. They bring charge on candidates that violate the rules laid down by the commission, and punish them with debarment from contesting.

Despite the best efforts of the government, election tend to remain an un-level playing field. Parties with more money win voters by using extra-constitutional means like bribes and liquor, and even brute force. Many candidates are known to capture booths, and recently, hacking of EVMs has captured the national imagination.

Elections are a mechanism of the democracy. They are a sacred ritual in any country. It is the responsibility of each one of us to ensure that the legitimacy of elections can be maintained. A vigilant public is the best deterrent to any malpractice. Hence, with legal support, we can ensure that elections proceed smoothly and yield unbiased results. It requires a lot of awareness from our part, but is worth the effort.