Social Studies Note for Grade X | Unit- 5 | Lesson- 7 Election Process

Unit: Five

Lesson: 7

Election Process

Election is a legitimate process in which the voters choose their representative or participate in the decision making process using their voting rights. It is done for electing the representatives in federal, provincial and local level for making decisions about future plan, policy and programs. Similarly, people can also vote for the decision of any national issue. This is called referendum. Periodic election is the backbone of democracy. A fair, independent, and impartial election can help in the resolution of national problems.

Importance of Election

1. To make the government responsible towards the people through the means of election
2. To strengthen and develop the democracy through periodic election
3. To resolve the conflict and give away the power in peaceful manner through independent and impartial election
4. To ensure the presence of voters in political decision, and
5. To maintain the legitimacy of government in national and international level through the election

Election Process

A set activities which need to be performed in order to complete an election is known as election process. The election process includes several activities to be performed in pre- election phase, during election phase and post- election phase. Determination of electoral system, formation of election law and directions, determination of election constituency formation of election calendar, collection and update of electoral roll, interaction with stakeholders, determination of polling center, mobilization of manpower, election training, operation of election/voters education program, establishment of election offices management of security, implementation of election code of conduct, supervision and regulation of election, voting, counting of votes and declaration of result, reports and feedback , etc. are the activities to be performed in the election process.

Bodies to conduct election

1. Election Commission

   The Constitution of Nepal has made a provision of Election Commission in part 24. There is a Chief Election Commissioner and four other Commissioners in the Election Commission. It conducts, supervises, directs and controls the election of the President, the Vice-President, Federal Parliament, Provincial Assemblies and local levels. It also prepares the voters' list for the purpose of election.

2. Election Officer

   When the date of election is announced, the Election Commission appoints the Election Officers. The Election Officers conduct the election in different election constituencies.

3. Polling Officer

   Polling Officers are appointed to conduct the election in different polling centers. They have to make necessary arrangement of booth, security management, begin and complete the election in scheduled time and with legal process. They have to stop or postpone the election if needed and make a decision on any filed cases and other problems. They also hold the responsibility to submit the ballot box to concerned authority and if needed count the votes in the local election.

Electoral Roll

Electoral roll is an official list of the names and address of the people in a specific area who are entitled to vote in an election. The Election Commission updates the electoral roll every year and includes the name who attains 18 years of age to ascertain the voting right of people Nepalese citizens. It provides certain time to include the name in the electoral roll if somebody is missed. While updating the electoral roll, the name of those one who died, out-migrated or got married and left the place are removed from the electoral roll and those one who attained 18 years, in-migrated and got married and came in are included in the electoral roll. Those one whose name is not included in the electoral roll is neither allowed to vote nor to give candidacy in the election.

Voter Identity Card

Voter Identity Card is needed for casting vote in the election. It includes the name, address, identity card number and photograph of' voter. It is called biometric voter identity card. This card is useful to identify the real voter to electronic system using biological characteristics such as fingerprints or iris patterns and prevent the proxy votes.

Polling Station

It is an officially chosen place for casting votes during an election. It is also called voting booth. Polling stations are set up in several places in an election constituency. The area is chosen as per the convenience of people. Generally, public places such as school, playground, etc. are chosen as the polling station.

Ballot

The total number of votes that have been cast in an election is called ballot.

Ballot Paper

It is a paper containing the election symbols or names of candidates or political parties. The voters put stamp on it, fold it and drop into the ballot box.

Ballot Box

It is a box in which voters put their ballots after marking them.

Candidate

Somebody who is seeking to be elected in the election is called candidate.

Election Code of Conduct

It is a set of rules or guidelines issued by the Election Commission during the election. It should be abided by candidates, political parties, public institutions, government, employees, mass media, INGOs, observers, etc.