📘 Class 11 – Political Science
🔹 Chapter 3: Election and Representative
🗳️ Election (चुनाव)
📌 Definition:
"An election is a process through which people choose their representatives in a democracy."
👤 Representative (प्रतिनिधि)
🔹 In a democracy, the person who is elected by the public (जनता द्वारा चुना गया) and sent to the government like Parliament (संसद) or Legislative Assembly (विधानसभा) is called a representative.
📌 Definition:
"A representative is a person chosen by the people to speak and act on their behalf in the government.”
🏛️ Direct Democracy (प्रत्यक्ष लोकतंत्र)
🔹 In ancient Greek city-states (प्राचीन ग्रीक नगर-राज्य), the population was small, so people could directly gather at one place and make decisions by raising hands ✋.
👉 They participated in daily decisions and the running of the government themselves — without any elected leader.
📌 Definition:
"Direct Democracy is a system where people directly take part in the decision-making process of the government without electing representatives.”
📍 Example: Ancient Athens 🇬🇷
🧑⚖️ Indirect Democracy (परोक्ष लोकतंत्र)
🔹 In today’s large population countries (बड़ी जनसंख्या वाले देश), it is not practical for everyone to gather at one place and make decisions.
👉 So, people elect representatives (प्रतिनिधि चुनते हैं) who take decisions on their behalf in Parliament or Assembly. 🏛️
📌 Definition:
"Indirect Democracy is a system where people elect representatives to make decisions and run the government on their behalf.”
📍 Example: India 🇮🇳, USA 🇺🇸
🗳️ Elections and Democracy (चुनाव और लोकतंत्र)
📌 Quote-style Summary:
"Elections are the backbone of democracy, and democracy is the soul of free and fair elections.”
📚 History of Elections in India (भारत में चुनावों का इतिहास)
After becoming independent in 1947, India adopted the democratic system.
💡 These elections showed that India had truly chosen the path of democracy through universal adult franchise (सार्वभौमिक वयस्क मताधिकार) – meaning every adult could vote, regardless of caste, class, or gender.
📌 Fact Corner (जानकारी का कोना):
•✅ First Election Commission of India was formed in 1950.
•🧓 India's first Chief Election Commissioner: Sukumar Sen.
Election System in India (भारत में चुनाव प्रणाली)
🔹 The Indian Constitution (भारतीय संविधान) lays down the basic rules (मूल नियम), laws, and guidelines for conducting free and fair elections in the country.
🔸 It also includes provisions for the formation of autonomous bodies (स्वायत्त संस्थाएँ) like the Election Commission (चुनाव आयोग).
⚙️ What does the Election System include? (चुनाव प्रणाली में क्या शामिल है?)
🗳️ Election Commission (चुनाव आयोग)
🔹 The Election Commission of India is an independent body (स्वतंत्र संस्था) that ensures free and fair elections in the country 🇮🇳.
👥 Structure of the Election Commission
👑 Appointment of CEC (मुख्य चुनाव आयुक्त की नियुक्ति)
📆 Tenure (कार्यकाल)
🕒 The CEC holds office for 6 years or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier (जो पहले हो)।
Current CEC (वर्तमान मुख्य चुनाव आयुक्त)
📅 As of 19th February 2025, the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India is:
🗳️ System of Winning by Most Votes (बहुमत से जीतने की प्रणाली)
🔹 India follows the "First Past the Post" system (जो सबसे ज़्यादा वोट लाए, वही जीतेगा).
⚖️ Proportional Representation System (अनुपातिक प्रतिनिधित्व प्रणाली)
🔹 In this system, each political party prepares a priority list (प्राथमिकता सूची) of candidates before elections.
🔹 After voting, parties get seats in proportion (अनुपात में) to the votes they receive.
🔹 From the priority list, candidates are selected as per the quota of seats allocated to each party.
🗂️ Types of Proportional Representation System
1️⃣ Single National Constituency System
•Used in Israel and Netherlands
•The whole country is treated as one constituency (मतदान क्षेत्र)
•Seats are distributed based on the percentage of total votes a party gets.
2️⃣ Multi-member Constituency System
•Used in Argentina and Portugal
•Country is divided into multiple constituencies, each electing several members.
•Seats are allocated proportionally in each constituency.
🏛️ Qualifications to Become a Member of Lok Sabha / Vidhan Sabha
(लोकसभा/विधानसभा का सदस्य बनने की योग्यताएं)
To become a candidate in elections for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, a person must meet the following conditions (निम्नलिखित शर्तें):
✅ Constitutional Requirements (संवैधानिक योग्यताएं):
1.🇮🇳 Must be a citizen of India (भारत का नागरिक होना चाहिए)
2.🔞 Minimum age should be 25 years (न्यूनतम आयु 25 वर्ष)
3.🚫 Should not hold an office of profit (लाभ का पद नहीं होना चाहिए)
4.🧠 Should not be of unsound mind (पागल/मानसिक रूप से अस्वस्थ नहीं होना चाहिए)
5.💰 Should not be bankrupt (दिवालिया नहीं होना चाहिए)
6.🚔 Should not have criminal background or be convicted (आपराधिक प्रवृत्ति या सजा प्राप्त न हो)
🗳️ Election Process (चुनाव प्रक्रिया)
The Election Commission of India follows a proper process to ensure free and fair elections (स्वतंत्र और निष्पक्ष चुनाव).
✨ Key Steps (मुख्य चरण):
🔔 🟢 Notification Issued – Official announcement by the Election Commission (चुनाव की सूचना).
🪪 Reservation of Constituencies (आरक्षित निर्वाचन क्षेत्र)
🔹 What Happens in a Reserved Constituency?
🔸 For Whom Are Seats Reserved?
🗳️ Features of India's Election System
(भारत की चुनाव प्रणाली की विशेषताएँ)
India uses the "Most Votes Wins" method (First Past the Post – FPTP). Let’s see its features:
Defects of Election System
(चुनाव प्रणाली की खामियाँ)
📌 Important Questions – Class 11 Pol. Science Chapter 2
What is the difference between FPTP and Proportional Representation?
Define the role of the Election Commission of India.
Why is the election process important in a democracy?
List two advantages of the FPTP system.
Which system is used in Lok Sabha elections?
🔗 Related Posts:
✅ Class 11 Chapter 3 – Legislature Notes
✅ Class 12 Political Science Notes (All Chapters)
❓ FAQs – Class 11 Political Science Chapter 2
Q1. What is the main concept of Election and Representation?
A: It explains how citizens elect representatives to run the government and make decisions on their behalf.
Q2. Which electoral system is used in India?
A: India uses the First Past the Post (FPTP) system in Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.
Q3. Who conducts elections in India?
A: The Election Commission of India conducts free and fair elections.
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