Brief Notes on Democratic Elections

Elections are held in all the democratic countries. However, in some countries, elections are held which cannot be called really democratic elections. In some communist countries, only one candidate is sponsored by the Communist Party and citizens are asked to vote in favour of or against that candidate.

No other candidate is allowed to contest election against him. People have no choice, for other candidate. Such election cannot be called democratic. No other political party is allowed to function in the country.

The main features of a democratic election are as under: (i) Every adult citizen should have a right to vote. Everyone should have one vote and each vote should have equal value.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

(ii) There must be some competition between candidates and political parties, voters should have some choice, parties and candidates should be free to contest elections.

(iii) Elections must be held at regular intervals after every few years.

(iv) Elections must be free and fair. People should be able to elect representatives of their choice.

(v) All the citizens after they attain a particular age (in India it is 25 years for elections to Parliament, and State Assemblies) should have the right to contest election.