Importance of Elections in India

Elections form the bedrock of the largest democracy in the world - India. Since Independence, as many as 15 Lok Sabhas have been formed through elections, the first one being held in 1951-52. The methodology of election is through universal adult suffrage, whereby every citizen of India over 18 years of age is an eligible voter in the eyes of the Constitution.

Elections provide a way to the people to assert their voice, opinion and choose the person whose priorities and ideas matches with them most. In India the elections are not new and they started taking place before the independence from British rule itself. But before independence the franchise was quit limited and very few were having rights to participate and vote. After independence, India adopted universal adult suffrage and each adult Indian got the right to vote.

The importance of elections in India—and for that matter, in any democracy—is as follows:

Choice of leadership: Elections provide a way for the citizens of India to choose their leaders. They do so by casting their vote in favour of the candidate or party whose views appeal to them. This ensures that the will of the people is reflected in the elected candidates.

Change of leadership: Elections in India are also a platform for the public to voice their resentment against a ruling party. By voting for other parties and helping elect a different government, citizens demonstrate that they possess ultimate authority.

Political participation: Elections open the door for new issues to be raised in public. If a citizen of India wishes to introduce reforms that are not the agenda of any of the parties, he or she is free to contest the elections either independently or by forming a new political party.

Self-corrective system: Because elections are a regular exercise, occurring every five years in India, the ruling parties are kept in check and made to consider the demands of the public. This works as a self-corrective system whereby political parties review their performance and try to appease the voters.

With a population of over 1.2 billion (according to the 2011 census) spread across 28 states and 7 union territories, India has a system of elections that is both daunting and praiseworthy.

Unknown facts about Indian Elections

1. There is an only authorized company Mysore Paints and Varnishes Private Limited which makes the indelible ink used to mark the finger after voting.
2. Electronic voting machines save 10,000 tones of paper.
3. A 6-volt alkaline battery is used to run the Electronic voting machines, it can be used in areas with no power connections.
4. This was the second time in Delhi Elections 2015, Congress won zero seats. Earlier when Congress faced a similar situation was in 1988 in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
5. Malkajgiri constituency in Hyderabad has the largest number of voters, 30 lakh in numbers.