Why Elections?
The conducting of elections through fair voting is one of the most predominant features of a democracy. Ideally, it is a means through which any common citizen can lay their claim to accountability regarding the way the country is being governed. The right to choose their governing legislation is the fundamental right given to citizens of all democratic nations. India became a democratic nation post its independence in the year 1947, after which the citizens of India were given the right to vote and elect their leaders, both in the state and the central levels. Every adult citizen of India can vote only in their constituency. Candidates who win in the State Legislative Assembly Elections are called Member of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and hold their seats for 5 years, unless it is dissolved by the Governor of that state prior to that.
How are the Elections in the Union Territories of India Different?
Unlike the states of India which have their own governments, union territories are federal territories ruled directly by the Central government of India. Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir and Puducherry are exceptional among union territories in that each has its own locally elected Legislative Assembly and government. Therefore, for the uninitiated, the elections for the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Region (NCR) is not synonymous with the Parliamentary Elections. However, the President of India is the chief administrator of all union territories, including Delhi, as per Article 239 of the Indian Constitution.
A Brief Overview of the Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections 2020
Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections 2020 will be held in a single phase on February 8 and the results will be announced on February 11.
In February 2015, the Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections brought the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to power, with Arvind Kejriwal as the Chief Minister. Come 2020, it is election season again in Delhi, and is anticipated to be a three-cornered contest between the ruling AAP, the BJP, and the Congress party. All parties have completed the process of vetting some prospective candidates for the elections, and their first list could be out this week. AAP could repeat most candidates, besides giving chance to those like Atishi Marlena and Raghav Chadha who were given tickets during the Lok Sabha elections in 2019. B.J.P. has released a list of 57 candidates for the Delhi elections.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Delhi, Ranbir Singh, there are a total of 1.46 crore voters in Delhi comprising 80.55 lakh males and 66.35 lakh females.
How are Votes Cast?
In order to cast vote, every voter has to have their EPIC (Voter ID) and voter slip. Once you cast your vote, it is confirmed by the electronic voting machine (EVM) machine. Then the VVPAT machine gives instant feedback through a printed slip. This is known as EVM VVPAT slip. The VVPAT machine slip contains the name of the candidate and the corresponding election symbol. The slip is then visible for 7 seconds, where a voter can confirm that the vote has been cast right.
How is the Delhi Legislative Assembly Election Different this Year?
The Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections this year is tech-enabled, in which the Election Commission (EC) has put the entire voter list online. The poll officials will scan the pre-printed voter slips containing the QR-code to mark the electors’ attendance for casting their votes. Voters (for the first time) can download their digital photo voter slip from ‘Voter Helpline’ app which is available on Google Playstore and Apple app store. Voters are required to link their mobile number with their voter ID card of Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number in order to download the digital photo voter slip. The EC has also suggested the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to forecast the queue length at the polling booths through the Voter Helpline Mobile app.
Another new concept introduced in this election is that of ‘absentee voters’ which enables voters unable to come to polling stations due to physical reasons, to take part in polls. Disabled persons and senior citizens above 80 years can either vote in person or vote through postal ballot.
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the Elections
The Election Commission has announced that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) shall be applicable with immediate effect. According to the website of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Model Code of Conduct for guidance of political parties and candidates is “a set of norms which has been evolved with the consensus of political parties who have consented to abide by the principles embodied in the said code and also binds them to respect and observe it in its letter and spirit.” The salient features of the Model Code of Conduct lay down how political parties, contesting candidates and party(s) in power should conduct themselves during the process of elections i.e. on their general conduct during electioneering, holding meetings and processions, poll day activities and functioning of the party in power etc. It is enforced from the date of announcement of election schedule by the Election Commission and is operational until the process of elections is completed.
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