Table of Contents
Elections are the backbone of a democratic nation. The electoral system gives people the right to choose their own government by casting vote to the candidate they deem suitable. There are different forms of democracy but elections form an integral part of each of these. The procedure and purpose of elections may however vary based on the form of democracy.
Long and Short Essay on Election and Democracy in English
Here are long and short essay on Election and Democracy to help you with the topic in your exam or during any school function/competition.
After going through these Election and Democracy essay you will be able to know what is election, what is democracy, what is the role of election in a democracy, what are the rights in a democratic country, what is the form and role of the election commission of India, what are different forms of democracy etc.
You can go through all the essay written below to get the best one for you as per your need:
Short Essay on Election and Democracy (200 words) – Essay 1
A democratic nation is one in which the citizens have the right to express their views and give their opinions publically regarding any situation/ condition in the country. This can be the country’s social, economic, political or any other condition.
Citizens in a democratic government are also given the right to elect their government. They can cast votes through secret ballot and state their opinion about whom they find suitable to run their country. The candidate/ party that gets majority of votes comes into power. So, the collective opinion of the citizens of a democratic country determines as to who would rule the country. Elections are held at regular intervals to ensure a fair play.
India is considered to be the largest democracy in the world. An autonomous body called the Election Commission of India has especially been formed to oversee the humongous task of conducting, managing and overseeing the election process. The Election Commission of India addresses several issues and puts in immense efforts to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
Any citizen of India who is 25 years of above (with few exceptions such as those involved in criminal activities, etc) can contest elections to come into power and give new direction to the country.
Essay on the Role of Elections in a Democracy (300 words) – Essay 2
Introduction
Democracy is the type of government in which the citizens of a country get the right to choose their representatives. These representatives come into power and form the government. These representatives are chosen by way of elections. The candidates and political parties that get the maximum number of votes during elections come into power. Elections are thus a significant part of democracy.
Elections Form the Basis of Democracy
Elections form the basis of democracy. Here is a look at how the election process works to give shape to a democratic government:
- Elections are held at regular intervals. In India, the elections are held every five years.
- People cast vote for bringing the candidate to power, they feel can best handle the position.
- People cast their vote through secret ballot. This ensures a fair game as they are not answerable to anyone for the choice made by them.
- The Election Commission of India administers the election process.
- The process of election is bigger and much more complicated than you can imagine. There is a lot of work that needs to be taken care of. This is the reason why a separate body has been formed to manage the whole election process.
- Many political parties participate in elections. They share their agendas with the common man. They also highlight all the tasks undertaken by them for the benefit of their citizens and the development of the nation to convince the general public to vote for them.
- At times, some notorious people try to disrupt the process of elections by indulging in malpractices such booth capturing, vote rigging, etc. The Election Commission takes necessary action against them to ensure smooth completion of the election process.
Conclusion
Fair and regular elections are an essential part of a democratic country. They empower the common man of the country to elect government and change it every few years.
Essay on Elections – An Integral Part of Democracy (400 words) – Essay 3
Introduction
Democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. A democratic nation allows its citizens to elect their government. The government remains in power mostly for a period of five years. Once the tenure is completed elections are held again to allow the citizens to cast vote and choose their government yet again. Elections are thus an integral part of a democracy.
Rights in a Democratic Country
Unlike monarchy and dictatorship government, the citizens in a democratic set up are empowered with many rights that are crucial for their development as well as the overall growth and development of the country. Here is a brief look at the rights given to the citizens in a democratic set up:
- Freedom of Speech and Expression
This is the fundamental right given to every citizen in a democratic nation. The citizens of a democratic country have complete right to express their opinion on any matter including the economic, social, cultural and political issues.
- Right to Vote
The right to vote is given to the citizens of every democratic nation. They elect the government of their country by exercising this right.
- Right to Fair Trial
The citizens of a democratic country have the right to free and just legal processes. They can sue anyone who has done wrong to them as per the Indian Penal Code. The decision is taken by the judiciary after listening to both the parties. It is the responsibility of the democratic nation to build a judicial system that people can trust.
- Right to Free Media
Democracy can function effectively if there is transparency. People in a democratic set up have complete right to information. This information about the working of the government and political parties is provided to them by media. This information helps them assess and understand if they have elected the right candidates or should they reconsider their decision in the next elections.
- Right to Worship
The citizens of a democratic country can choose the religion they wish to follow without any interference from the state or any political party. They can worship in a free setting without any fear. Any kind of communal riots are condemned and the government takes strict action against people involved in the same.
Conclusion
The right to elect government is one of the fundamentals rights of the citizens of a democratic nation. This right must be exercised with great responsibility to bring the most deserving candidate to power.
Essay on India as the Largest Democracy in the World (500 words) – Essay 4
Introduction
India is considered to be the largest democracy in the world. It is one of the best examples of representative democracy where people exercise their right to vote to elect representatives. These representatives take major decisions pertaining to the country including those related to policy-making. Citizens of India cast their votes via secret ballot and this forms the basis of fair elections in the country. Indian democracy is appreciated for its free and fair electoral system.
The Election Commission of India
The union government in India is elected for a period of five years. Elections in the country are therefore held every five years. The Election Commission of India conducts and manages the entire election process in the country. The Election Commission came into form in the year 1950. Initially, it consisted of just one member. Two more commissioners were appointed for the Election Commission of India in 1989. A subsidiary of the Election Commission is formed in every state to ensure smooth and successful completion of the election process.
The main responsibility of the Election Commission is to administer the election process. The task is humongous and a lot of things need to be taken care of in order to accomplish it. This includes planning election schedules, assessing new political parties and validating them, watching the behaviour of the political parties contesting elections, providing election related updates to the media, overseeing the election process, taking action against any malpractice and conducting by-elections (if needed). EC has been working hard ever since its inception and has brought about many changes in the electoral system of India to improve the election process.
EC administers Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections, State Legislative Councils and State Legislative Assemblies elections and the elections of the President and Vice President of India. It is thus said to be the backbone of Indian democracy.
Countries with Democratic Government
Many countries around the world have democratic form of government. Just like India, the citizens of these countries have the right to vote and elect government. Some of the countries with democratic set up include Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, Bhutan, Germany, United States of America and Finland.
While these are all democratic nations, they do not follow the same set of rules when it comes to conducting elections and setting public policies. Democracy has been categorised into various forms including direct democracy, representative democracy, Islamic democracy, social democracy, parliamentary democracy, presidential democracy, participatory democracy and authoritarian democracy. Different democratic countries practice different forms of democracy.
Conclusion
Elections are an inseparable part of a democratic government. The citizens of a democratic country elect the government by voting for the candidate they deem suitable to run the government. The government bears the interest of the common man in mind while making or amending any law or policy.
In a democratic country, people have the right to question the government for its decisions. They have the power to overthrow the current government and bring another political party into power in the next elections. This drives the ruling government to work with dedication and take fair decisions considering public interest.
Essay on Different Forms of Democracy and their Election Process (600 words) – Essay 5
Introduction
Democracy is a set up in which the citizens of a country exercise their right to vote in order to elect the government of their choice. This type of government works for the benefit of the citizens and ensures a fair play. The citizens of a democratic nation have the right to question the decisions of their government and express their views on the same. Several political parties contest elections in a democratic nation and the one that majority of people deem suitable comes into power. People cast their votes through secret ballot.
Different Forms of Democracy
Democracy is divided into various forms. Different forms of democratic governments work differently. They have their own unique style of working and handling matters. The rights given to the citizens may also vary based on the type of democracy. Here is a look at the different forms of democracy:
- Direct Democracy
The citizens of a nation with direct democracy have the right to vote directly for the making of various policies and for taking important decisions. They vote each time there is a need to take an important decision. They do not vote for representatives who take decisions on their behalf. So, every decision in a direct democracy is taken collectively by the citizens. This type of democracy works well for nations with less population. Switzerland is an example of successful direct democracy.
- Representative Democracy
In representative democracy people elect representatives by using their right to vote. These representatives come into power and take all the decisions. People vote for the candidates they feel are responsible and can be trusted. Citizens can voice their grievances and seek action on them. They also have the right to express their opinion and question the government’s decision. This is the most common type of democracy followed in countries like India and USA.
- Parliamentary Democracy
In this type of democracy the legislature has greater power over the president. The president is merely an official head or a weak monarch in the parliamentary democracy. The head of state in such a set up is different from the head of government and both of them have their own set of responsibilities.
- Presidential Democracy
In this type of democracy, the president of the country has considerable power over the government. Elected either directly or indirectly by the citizens, the president in such a set up is not liable to the legislature or does he has the power to remove the legislature. Similarly, the legislature is not empowered to remove the president unless it is an extreme case.
- Participatory Democracy
Participatory democracy gives opportunity to every citizen of the country to come up with unanimous decisions on important matters related to the country. This type of democracy encourages greater participation from the citizens.
- Authoritarian Democracy
Authoritarian democracy is one in which only the elite class of the country has the right to be a part of the parliamentary process. The common people of the country are not allowed to cast vote. So, it is the elites in power who take various decisions related to the country. Modern day Russia is an example of authoritarian democracy.
- Islamic Democracy
This type of democracy applies Islamic law to policies. The leaders here are elected by the citizens of the country and everyone here is subject to the Sharia law. The leaders in this type of democracy need to strictly practice Shura which is a special type of consultation practiced by Prophet Muhammad. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are examples of Islamic democracy.
Conclusion
This clearly shows that even democratic form of government varies from region to region. Different forms of democratic governments are formed in different countries. The rules to elect the government and run the country differ as per the democratic government formed.
