Elections in India: An Overview

Description

The 2019 General election in India was the world’s largest democratic exercise in history. Often, elections have been referred to as the dance of democracy or festival of democracy in India. This book presents a comprehensive analysis of the broad patterns and trends in Indian elections from 1952 – the first elections in independent India - to 2019. With the help of extensive empirical data, it discusses themes like evolution of the Indian electoral systems; the model code of conduct and it’s violations; the institution of election commission in India; story of participatory upsurge; analysis of turnout in regional and national elections; the story of victory margins; irregular delimitation; challenges of money and muscle power; and, rationale behind simultaneous election. Topical and comprehensive, this book will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of election studies, political studies, Indian politics, South Asian studies, political sociology, public administration as well as for journalists and think tanks. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents List of tables Preface and Acknowledgements Introduction: Trends and patterns in the Indian elections Chapter 1 The Indian electoral system Chapter 2 Who conducts the election: History and controversies surrounding the Election Commission of India Chapter 3 A trend of increased and broadened electoral participation Chapter 4 Turnout and electoral outcome: The issue of pro- and anti-incumbency Chapter 5 Is there a crisis of representation? Patterns of victory margins Chapter 6 Emerging challenges: Use of money and muscle power in Indian elections Chapter 7 The issue of simultaneous election Chapter 8 The challenge ahead: Delimitation 2026 Conclusion: The upcoming challenges and the way forward Index