1. Lok Sabha Election : AnswerIAS Arrow-30 Prelims Series, 2025

News in Context

• The 18th Lok Sabha elections, constituting one of the world’s largest democratic exercises, were recently concluded in India.
• Polling was conducted across seven phases from April 19, 2024, to June 1, 2024.
• The counting of votes and declaration of results occurred on June 4, 2024.
• These elections determined the composition of the lower house of India’s Parliament, the Lok Sabha, for the next five years.
• The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured a majority of seats, paving the way for the formation of the Union government.
• The results also highlighted the significant performance of the INDIA alliance, a coalition of opposition parties.
• voter turnout – approximately 65.79% was recorded nationwide.

The entire process, from announcing the schedule to overseeing polling and declaring results, was managed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), an autonomous constitutional body.

About Lok Sabha Elections

The Lok Sabha, or House of the People, is the directly elected house of the Parliament of India.

System of Election

• Territorial Representation: Elections to the Lok Sabha are based on the principle of territorial representation, dividing the country into geographically defined electoral units. 
• Single-Member Constituencies: Each constituency is a single-member constituency, meaning only one member is elected from each defined area. India is currently divided into 543 parliamentary constituencies for the purpose of direct elections.
• First Past the Post (FPTP) System: Under this system:
  • Multiple candidates contest in each constituency.
  • The candidate who secures the highest number of valid votes polled in that constituency is declared elected as the Member of Parliament (MP).
  • Winning requires only a plurality of votes (more votes than any other single candidate), not necessarily an absolute majority (more than 50% of the total votes cast).
• Maximum Strength of Lok Sabha: The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is constitutionally limited to 550 members.Prior to the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2019, the maximum strength was 552, including two nominated members from the Anglo-Indian community; this provision for nomination has been removed.
• Division of Seats : Of the current maximum strength of 550, up to 530 members are elected from territorial constituencies in the States, and up to 20 members are elected from the Union Territories.

• According to Article 81 of the Indian Constitution:

  (a) Each State shall be allotted a number of seats in the House of the People (Lok Sabha) in such a manner that the ratio between the number of seats and the population of the State is, as far as practicable, the same for all States.
  For this purpose, the population figures of the 1971 Census are used as the reference.
  However, this provision shall not apply to a State whose population does not exceed six million.

  (b) Each State shall be divided into territorial constituencies in such a way that the ratio between the population of each constituency and the number of seats allotted is, as far as practicable, uniform throughout the State.
  For this purpose, the population figures of the 2001 Census are used as the reference.
  Originally, this division was meant to be updated after every Census. However, the 84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001 froze this process until after the first Census conducted post-2026.

  Simply Explained

• The Lok Sabha is the “House of the People” — basically, the part of Parliament where people elect their representatives.

• Each State gets a certain number of seats in Lok Sabha based on its population. The rule says:

  The number of seats given to a state should be proportional to how many people live there.
  So, bigger population = more seats.

• Inside each State, it’s divided into smaller parts called constituencies (areas from where people vote for one MP). The rule here says:

  Each constituency should have roughly the same number of people.
  So, every MP should ideally represent about the same number of people in their area.

• BUT, there’s a twist:
  In 2001, the government passed the 84th Amendment to the Constitution. It said:

  We will freeze (pause) the number of seats for each state until after the Census that happens after 2026.

  Why? Because if we kept adjusting seats every time populations changed, states with fast-growing populations (mostly poorer states) would keep getting more seats. That would create imbalance and political tensions.

Duration of Lok Sabha

The term of the Lok Sabha is constitutionally defined, subject to certain provisions for dissolution and extension.

• • Normal Term: The normal duration of the Lok Sabha is five years, commencing from the date appointed for its first meeting after a general election.
  • Automatic Dissolution: Upon the expiry of the five-year term, the Lok Sabha automatically stands dissolved (Article 83(2) of the Constitution of India).
  • Dissolution by President: The President of India is constitutionally empowered to dissolve the Lok Sabha at any time before the completion of its five-year term (Article 85(2)(b) of the Constitution of India).
    • This power is exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, in accordance with the principles of parliamentary democracy.
    • A Presidential dissolution of the Lok Sabha is generally considered final and cannot be challenged in a court of law.
  • Extension During National Emergency: The term of the Lok Sabha can be extended beyond its normal five-year duration during a Proclamation of National Emergency (under Article 352 of the Constitution).
    • Parliament can extend the term by enacting a law for one year at a time.
    • While there is no constitutional limit on the number of times such an extension can be granted during an emergency, the extension cannot continue for more than six months after the Proclamation of Emergency ceases to operate. This necessitates holding fresh elections within six months of the emergency being lifted.

Constitutional Provisions

• Part XV (Articles 324 to 329) of the Constitution of India contains the fundamental provisions governing elections.
• Article 324: Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in an Election Commission. This foundational article establishes the autonomous Election Commission of India and vests in it the powers of superintendence, direction, and control over the preparation of electoral rolls, and the conduct of all elections to Parliament, the Legislature of every State, and the offices of President and Vice-President held under the Constitution, ensuring the integrity and fairness of the electoral process. (Article 324 of the Constitution of India) Establishes the Election Commission of India (ECI), vesting in it the powers of superintendence, direction, and control over the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President. This article is key to the independent functioning of the ECI.
• Article 325: No person to be ineligible for inclusion in, or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex. This article prohibits discrimination in the preparation of electoral rolls on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or any of them, ensuring a common electoral roll for every territorial constituency and upholding the principle of equality in voting rights. (Article 325 of the Constitution of India)Mandates that no person shall be excluded from the electoral roll or included in a special roll for any constituency solely based on religion, race, caste, sex, or any combination thereof. This upholds the principle of universal and non-discriminatory voter registration.
• Article 326: Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrage. This crucial article mandates that elections to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of every State shall be on the basis of adult suffrage. It specifies that every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than eighteen years of age and is not otherwise disqualified under this Constitution or any law made by the appropriate Legislature on grounds of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter. (Article 326 of the Constitution of India)Declares that elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies shall be based on adult suffrage. This grants every citizen aged eighteen or above, unless disqualified by law, the right to vote.
• Article 327: Power of Parliament to make provision with respect to elections to Legislatures. This article empowers Parliament to make provisions by law with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, elections to either House of Parliament or the House or Houses of the Legislature of a State, including the preparation of electoral rolls, the delimitation of constituencies and all other necessary matters for securing the due constitution of such House or Houses. (Article 327 of the Constitution of India). Empowers Parliament to enact laws regarding all matters related to elections to Parliament and State Legislatures, including electoral rolls and delimitation of constituencies.
• Article 328: Power of Legislature of a State to make provision with respect to elections to such Legislature. Subject to the provisions of the Constitution and any law made by Parliament under Article 327, the Legislature of a State is empowered to make laws with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, elections to the House or Houses of the Legislature of that State, allowing State legislatures to regulate their own elections within the broader framework set by the Constitution and Parliament. (Article 328 of the Constitution of India). Permits the Legislature of a State to make laws concerning elections to the State Legislature, provided such provisions are not inconsistent with laws made by Parliament.
• Article 329: Bar to interference by courts in electoral matters. This article restricts the scope of judicial intervention in electoral matters. It states that the validity of any law relating to the delimitation of constituencies or the allotment of seats made under Article 327 or Article 328 shall not be called into question in any court. Furthermore, it specifies that no election to either House of Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State shall be called in question except by an election petition presented to such authority and in such manner as may be provided for by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature. (Article 329 of the Constitution of India)Bars the jurisdiction of courts in certain electoral matters. It specifies that the validity of laws relating to delimitation and seat allotment cannot be questioned, and election disputes can only be challenged through an election petition presented to the authority designated by law, not in ordinary courts during or immediately after the election process.

Significance of Lok Sabha Elections

• Formation of Union Government: The primary significance lies in determining which party or coalition attains the majority required (currently 272+ seats) to form the Union government at the Centre, influencing national governance.
• Direct Representation: The Lok Sabha members are directly elected, ensuring that the House is a direct reflection of the popular will and that diverse geographical areas have their voice heard in the Parliament.
• Executive Accountability: The principle of collective responsibility (Article 75(3)) makes the Council of Ministers accountable to the Lok Sabha, allowing the elected representatives to scrutinize and hold the executive in check.
• Legislative Authority: The Lok Sabha possesses significant legislative powers, initiating and passing laws on critical national subjects, thereby translating the electoral mandate into policy and legislation.
• Forum for Debate and Oversight: It serves as a vital national platform for debating critical issues, questioning government actions, and using parliamentary mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Mandate for Policy Direction: The electoral outcome provides the ruling party or coalition with a mandate to pursue specific policies and programmes outlined in their manifesto, shaping the country’s trajectory in economic, social, and foreign affairs.

Challenges in Conducting Lok Sabha Elections

Executing elections on India’s scale involves overcoming substantial challenges:

• Logistical Magnitude: Managing the logistics for millions of polling personnel, security forces, and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) across varied and often remote terrains within limited timeframes is a complex operation.
• Ensuring Integrity: Challenges include maintaining accuracy of electoral rolls, preventing voter malpractice such as booth capturing or intimidation, and ensuring secure handling of election materials.
• Influence of Money and Criminality: The role of illicit money and individuals with criminal backgrounds in elections remains a significant concern, distorting the fairness of the electoral contest despite ECI efforts to curb them.
• Misinformation Landscape: The proliferation of fake news and targeted disinformation, particularly amplified through digital platforms, poses a serious threat to informed public discourse and can potentially manipulate voter behaviour.
• Security Management: Deploying adequate security forces across numerous phases is crucial to maintain law and order and ensure peaceful polling, especially in areas prone to conflict or unrest.
• Maximising Voter Participation: While overall turnout is high, ensuring equitable participation across all demographics and regions requires continuous effort to address barriers to voting.
• Enforcement of Model Code of Conduct (MCC): Effectively monitoring and enforcing the MCC to ensure a level playing field during the campaign period remains challenging, requiring timely and decisive action against violations.

Way Forward

• Continued Electoral Reforms: Pursuing reforms to address issues like transparency in campaign finance, curbing criminalization of politics, and deliberating on potential refinements to the electoral system can enhance fairness and integrity.
• Strengthening ECI Autonomy and Capacity: Ensuring the ECI has adequate resources, personnel, and legal backing to function effectively, particularly in addressing emerging challenges like digital influence operations.
• Enhanced Voter Awareness: Sustaining and expanding voter education initiatives like SVEEP are crucial for increasing informed participation and building resilience against misinformation.
• Combating Digital Misinformation: Developing multi-stakeholder strategies involving the ECI, government, tech platforms, and civil society to effectively identify, flag, and counter the spread of election-related disinformation.
• Leveraging Technology: Exploring secure technological solutions for improved electoral management, voter verification, and accessibility, while ensuring robustness against cyber threats.
• Improved Coordination: Strengthening collaboration between the ECI, state administrations, and law enforcement agencies is vital for seamless logistical planning and security management during elections.

Sources:

• Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 updates: Highlights on June…
• Lok Sabha Election Results 2024 Live: Get Latest…
• LOK SABHA SEATS – 2024
• Election Commission of India (Voter Turnout 2024 Data Summary)
• Source: Lok Sabha Election 2024: All dates, full schedule … – India Today
• Source: Election Commission of India website (ECI’s reports and press notes detail operational challenges)
• Source: PRS Legislative Research – Election Reforms (Analysis of challenges and reform areas in Indian elections)
• Source: Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Primary legislation governing elections in India)
• Source: Election Commission of India website (Authoritative source for electoral procedures and systems)
• Source: PRS Legislative Research – Election Reforms (Discusses recommendations for electoral reforms)
• Source: Election Commission of India website (Information on ECI’s voter education and outreach programmes)
• Source: The Constitution of India, Part XV (Articles 324 to 329)
• Source: Constitution of India (Official text)
• Source: The Constitution of India, Article 83(2) (Duration of Houses of Parliament)
• Source: The Constitution of India, Article 85(2)(b) (Dissolution of Lok Sabha)
• Source: The Constitution of India, Article 352 (Proclamation of Emergency)
• Source: Constitution of India (Official text of the Constitution)