Elections, Parties and Political Processes in India - Study Guide
What the exam tests
Elections, Parties and Political Processes in India tests the Election Commission, electoral systems, party organisation, coalitions, anti-defection and reform debates. Questions often use a scenario about a legislator or a party.
Core rules
- The Election Commission, under Article 324, superintends elections to Parliament, State legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President.
- India uses first-past-the-post in territorial constituencies; the candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority.
- The Model Code of Conduct is not a statute, but it is enforced through election law and the Commission's powers.
- The Tenth Schedule disqualifies defectors; the Speaker decides. A merger is protected only if at least two-thirds of a legislature party agrees.
- Party recognition is different from registration. National and State party status depends on criteria such as vote share and seats.
- Kerala's party competition is bipolar between the LDF and UDF, with coalition partners and strong local body elections.
Worked example
Question: An MLA elected on party A's ticket resigns and joins party B. Is disqualification automatic? Reason: Resignation from party membership can attract Tenth Schedule disqualification. The Speaker must decide after proceedings; joining another party is not a protected merger unless the two-thirds merger condition is met. The answer should separate resignation, defection and merger.
Traps
NOTA does not force a re-election; the Model Code is not a statutory law; the Election Commission does not decide anti-defection cases; a party's registration does not automatically make it a recognised State party; do not assume proportional representation in Lok Sabha elections.