Democracy 🇮🇳 Election Commission 🏛️ Voter ID 🪪 Polling Booth 🏫 Ballot / EVM 📥 Government & Opposition 🏛️⚖️

India is the largest democracy in the world. In a democracy, people choose their leaders through elections. Every citizen who is 18 years or above and whose name is in the voter list can vote. The country is divided into smaller areas called constituencies. Candidates from different political parties, each with a unique symbol, contest the election in each constituency.

Elections are conducted by the independent Election Commission of India. It prepares voter lists, decides the dates, and ensures that voting is free and fair. Voters go to a polling booth with their Voter ID and cast their vote on a ballot paper or EVM (Electronic Voting Machine). Voting is by secret ballot so that no one knows whom a person has voted for.

After voting, the votes are counted. The party or candidate that gets the majority of votes wins. The winning party forms the government, and the party that does not win becomes the opposition. Elections need good planning and organisation because our country is very large. We must vote only once in an election, never sell our vote, and choose honest leaders. Elections give us the power to participate in running our country.

भारत विश्व का सबसे बड़ा लोकतंत्र है। लोकतंत्र में जनता अपने प्रतिनिधि चुनाव के माध्यम से चुनती है। जो नागरिक 18 वर्ष या उससे अधिक आयु के हैं और जिनका नाम मतदाता सूची में है, वे वोट डाल सकते हैं। देश को चुनाव के लिए छोटे-छोटे क्षेत्रों में बाँटा जाता है, इन्हें निर्वाचन क्षेत्र (Constituency) कहते हैं। विभिन्न राजनीतिक दल अपने-अपने चिन्ह के साथ उम्मीदवार खड़ा करते हैं।

चुनाव कराना भारतीय चुनाव आयोग की ज़िम्मेदारी है। यह मतदाता सूची बनाता है, कार्यक्रम तय करता है और सुनिश्चित करता है कि मतदान स्वतंत्र व निष्पक्ष हो। मतदाता मतदान केंद्र पर वोटर आईडी के साथ पहुँचते हैं और मतपत्र/EVM पर गुप्त रूप से वोट देते हैं। मतदान गुप्त होता है ताकि किसी पर दबाव न पड़े।

मतदान के बाद गिनती होती है। जिस उम्मीदवार/दल को सबसे ज्यादा वोट मिलते हैं, वह जीतकर सरकार बनाता है। जो दल नहीं जीतते, वे विपक्ष बनते हैं। हमारे जैसे बड़े देश में चुनाव के लिए बहुत योजना और संगठन की आवश्यकता होती है। हमें ईमानदार नेताओं का चयन करना चाहिए और एक चुनाव में केवल एक बार वोट देना चाहिए। चुनाव हमें देश के शासन में भागीदारी का अधिकार देते हैं।

1) What is an election?

It is a process in which people choose their leaders by voting in a free and fair manner.

2) Who conducts elections in India?

The independent Election Commission of India plans and conducts all elections.

3) What is a constituency?

A fixed area from which people elect one representative. The country is divided into many such areas.

4) Why should voting be secret?

Secret voting protects our choice and prevents pressure or fear from others.

5) Why must we vote?

Voting is our right and duty. It helps select good leaders and keeps democracy strong.

6) What do political parties do?

They put forward candidates, share their ideas, use symbols and try to win support of voters.

7) What should we carry to the polling booth?

Our Voter ID (or valid ID as allowed) and check our name in the voter list.

8) Who forms the opposition?

The party/parties that do not win majority seats in the election.

9) What happens after voting?

Votes are counted and the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner.

10) Name two ways the EC ensures fairness.

Model code of conduct, secure voter lists/EVMs, independent officers at polling stations.

1) What is an election?

An election is the process by which people choose their leaders by voting in a free and fair manner.

2) What is the role of the Election Commission?

It conducts elections: prepares voter lists, fixes dates, sets rules, manages polling/counting and ensures fairness.

3) What are political parties?

Organised groups with common ideas and a symbol that put forward candidates to contest elections.

4) What is a constituency?

A defined geographic area from which people elect one representative to a legislature or council.

5) Why is it important to vote?

Voting is our right and duty; it helps choose honest leaders and keeps our democracy strong.