Indian democracy
Our country is the country with the largest number of voters in the world. Our country is the largest democracy in the world in terms of population. This unique democracy has been in existence for more than six and a half decades. During this time, our country has witnessed many political storms and ups and downs. Nevertheless, our democracy has been able to survive due to the loyalty and resourcefulness of the voters. We make efforts to protect and preserve democracy. Now we will study some important features of Indian democracy here.
Elections in a democracy
There are democracies in many countries in the world. Despite being democracies, there are differences in every system of government. In a democracy, voters cast their votes. Despite differences in the system of government, suffrage and voting are common in every democracy. Voters help keep democracy alive by casting their votes during elections.
Our country has a parliamentary system. Parliament is a national institution representing the people. Legislative councils are functioning in some states. Voters are at the center of the formation of the Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. In our country, elections are held in local self-government institutions through voting. Thus, democracy is realized through elections.
Democracy and the electorate
Voters are important in democracy. In our country, there is universal and adult suffrage. Any person aged 18 years or above whose name is registered in the electoral roll can vote. Every Indian citizen who has not filed bankruptcy and has not been declared mentally unstable can get the right to vote without any discrimination. Despite low level of education, poverty and many other such things, the Constitution has put faith in the voter through universal adult suffrage. In universal adult suffrage, the principle of “one vote per person” has been accepted.
It is the duty of every citizen to vote without greed, temptation and fear. The voter should be vigilant and conscious of his duty. The Constitution has given the right to vote to every citizen without discrimination of caste, religion, gender or education. Voting is an important process in democracy. In our country, there is universal suffrage. Apart from being the right of the voter, voting is also our duty. Every voter should exercise his right.
Pillar of democracy-Election
The basis of democracy is elections. A festive atmosphere is observed during elections. During elections, the people can evaluate their representatives. Every person with the prescribed qualifications has the right to contest elections in a democracy. In addition to political parties, independent candidates contest elections in elections.
The political party or coalition of political parties that has won the most candidates in the elections comes to power. In democracy, power can be reached only by getting the support of the people. In our democratic system, the highest institution of the country is the Parliament and the most basic unit is the Gram Panchayat. Elections are also held in local self-government institutions like Gram Panchayat, Taluka Panchayat and District Panchayat.
In these institutions, the winning members are selected only through the votes of the people. Municipal elections are held in small cities or Municipal elections in big cities. Elections keep democracy alive and vibrant.
Elections are very important for political parties as well as election candidates. Elections are the paraphernalia of democracy. Elections give the voter an opportunity to evaluate their candidate. Elections create a new political system or political turmoil in the country. Elections provide an insight into the social and economic environment of the country. Elections determine the future of governments. Apart from political parties, independents and organizations contest elections.
In parliamentary democracy, the party or coalition of political parties whose candidates are elected in the largest number comes to power and forms the government. In a democracy, the support of the people can be known only through elections. Power can be gained or maintained only through the support of the people. Since elections are the lifeblood of democracy, it is very important that the election process is transparent.
A referendum in a democracy
Our country has a representative democracy. Here, the winner of the election becomes the representative of the people. Thus, in a representative system, the ruling party tries to maintain power and come back to power. The party that is not in power tries to create a referendum to gain power. To maintain power or come to power, it is necessary to unite the people with them. To maintain the government, it is necessary to keep in mind the opinion of the people about the government's work, policy or various issues. Referendum is very important for political parties, representatives and organizations. Organized referendum is of utmost importance in democracy.
A strong and organized public opinion is of special importance in democracy. Public opinion prevents the government from mismanaging. A situation can be created through public opinion where the national interest cannot be ignored. The government cannot deceive alert, intelligent and informed citizens. In modern times, some means have proven to be very useful for cultivating public opinion. Let us get acquainted with these means in detail.
Means of forming a referendum in a democracy
The means of propaganda are very useful for shaping the public mind and creating public awareness. In modern times, many means are used to convey words or ideas to the people. These means can be mainly divided into two parts.
Printed media: To enable people to learn and obtain information about the events of the country and the world in modern times.
Daily newspapers, fortnightly magazines and certain types of magazines are important. People read the details printed in such media, get information and accept or reject the matter with their own opinion. People with different thinking can come to different conclusions after reading the same details. They give their own personal opinions to the same type of printed details. It is necessary that the details of this opinion are true, neutral and without any kind of bias.
If these details are printed with bias, then there is a possibility of creating a wrong public opinion. It is very important to have "press freedom" to prevent the government from showing only its achievements and hiding its mistakes, failures or shortcomings to create a false opinion. Since our country has linguistic, cultural and regional diversity, local newspapers in regional languages have become the center of attraction of readers amidst the diversity of the country. Due to this, they can play an important role in shaping public opinion.
In countries or regions where the literacy rate is low, printed media do not prove to be effective in shaping public opinion. However, due to the influence of printed literature, today various organizations, industrial groups and political parties publish their own dailies or mouthpieces. Many types of magazines and information issues are also published by the government.
Electronic media: The place of audio-visual media like radio, television, cinema is important in forming public opinion. Electronic media is more effective where the level of illiteracy is high. Radio and television are seen to be more important than newspapers or magazines. Today, events of the country and abroad are broadcast live on radio or television at the same time.
It can be easily reached. Through serials, plays and films, public opinion can be effectively cultivated by presenting many social and economic problems such as untouchability, dowry system, exploitation, poverty along with entertainment.
In modern times, apart from television, with the advent and spread of the Internet, people enjoy news, serials, dramas and films sitting at home. Today, the distorted, nasty and violent content presented through this medium can have a bad effect on a person.
It is necessary to prevent inappropriate broadcasting in such an important medium and to put proper control over it. It is welcome in a democracy that political parties and voluntary organizations should agitate at the appropriate time against various nasty and violent programmes being broadcast on electronic media.
Nowadays, technology is so fast that people are constantly in touch with each other through the Internet and cellphones and work to spread their words or ideas. Today, electronic media is widely used to influence public opinion. Television, radio, private radio i.e. FM are special media for influencing public opinion in modern times.
In modern times, information about an event spreads quickly without neutral details or information. Sometimes there is a fear of forming a wrong opinion based on wrong details. Various types of surveys conducted through electronic media work to form an opinion.
Surveys are conducted to know the opinion based on certain details. “Opinion polls” are presented at the time of elections. Opinion polls give an estimate of the direction in which the public opinion is leaning. Opinion polls are not always correct and reliable.
In today's times, electronic media has a very important place. In a democracy, it is necessary for the people and the government to be patient. These media are very useful in making the people's words, thoughts or details reach the government and in conveying the details of various government schemes and the achievements of the government to the people.
Radio has its scope of work to distant and remote areas. Being only an audio medium, radio has not been able to become an effective medium. Although the programs broadcast on television are expensive compared to radio, electronic media have become popular as a public medium. In a democracy, people are expected to express their opinion by giving importance to the national interest first.
Types of Democracy
In countries like America, we find a presidential democratic system of government. We will look at the two main types, parliamentary democracy and presidential democracy.
Parliamentary Democracy: Our country has adopted parliamentary democracy. The Prime Minister forms the government. This parliamentary government is fully responsible to the Lok Sabha. It can remain in power only as long as the government enjoys the confidence of the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha.
Electoral system in democracy
Our country is the country with the largest number of voters in the world. The Election Commission manages, regulates and supervises this election process. For the country's democracy to remain alive, the Election Commission must be independent, impartial and autonomous. It is necessary that the autonomy of the Election Commission is maintained. For this, specific provisions have been made in the Constitution for the appointment, terms of service and removal or removal of Election Commissioners.
In addition to the Parliament, state assemblies, legislative councils, the Election Commission has the responsibility and power to elect the President and Vice President. Elections in our country are held by secret ballot. When the five-year term of the Assembly or Parliament is completed, it is dissolved and a fresh election is held. An election held to fill a seat left vacant due to death or resignation is called a by-election. Announcement of election dates.
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