The right of political activities of the public servants in a democratic government is determined by constitutional theory of government. Political neutrality of civil servants has been regarded as one of cardinal conditions for the success of a democratic government.
The parliamentary form of government demands from civil service not only neutrality but also integrity and impartiality of conduct
The question of rights to engage in political activities in U.K. was referred by the government Master man Committee in 1948. As per the recommendations of the committee and in consultation w the employees a set of regulations were issued in 1953. While the concept of political neutrality h been kept intact, particularly of the higher civil service, a distinction has been drawn between nation) and local political activities.
The civil servants have been classified into (a) the politically free (b) the politically restricted group and (c) those who are allowed to participate in national political activities subject to permission.
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In regard to local political activities, barring those civil servants who are required to obtain permissible for participation, all others are allowed to take part in those activities. A civil servant in the politically group who is contesting for parliament is obliged to submit his resignation before nomination. He entitled to be reinstated in the post whether he is elected to parliament or not.
All staff in the intermediate and restricted groups who have not been given permission to engage) any of the political activities is expected at all times to maintain a reserve in political matters and put themselves forward prominently on one side or the other.
In U.S.A., regulations are laid down on the political activities of public employees.
They prohibited the following activities:
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(1) Serving as a candidate or alternate to a political party convention,
(2) Solicitating or handling political contributions,
(3) Engaging in electioneering,
(4) Being a candidate for elective political office,
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(5) Leading or speaking to partisan political meetings or rallies.
In India, the government servants, under the Conduct Rules are not free to indicate the manner in which they propose to vote or have voted. They are forbidden to canvass or use their influence in an election to any legislature or local authority.
The government servants are not expected to attend election meetings organized by any political party except in the official capacity. They cannot stand for election to the parliament or to state legislature.
They are required to resign in order to contest elections. Thus, in India, the civil servants are debarred from taking part in politics. They cannot be members of any political party nor even subscribe or assist any political movement or activity.
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In many democratic countries with certain exceptions, right to political activities of the civil servants are restricted in one way or the other.
They can exercise only the right to vote. The restrictions imposed on the rights of political activities will only show the nature of the democratic government and the expected role of the public employees in the government. It is a part of the evolutionary process of the government.