Political Career for Indian Youth- FAQ - Electoral Rolls

Political Career: Career for Indian Youth-FAQ-Electoral Rolls

Q 1. For every constituency, there is a list of voters which is called electoral roll. What is the minimum age for enrollment in an electoral roll?

Ans. Eighteen. For every constituency, there is a voters list Article 326 of the Constitution, and Sec. 19 of R. P. Act, 1950 stipulate that the minimum age for registration of a voter is 18 years.

Q 2. Was 18 the minimum voting age in India from the beginning?

Ans. No. Earlier, the age for registration of a voter was 21 years. Through the 61st amendment Act, 1988 of the Constitution read with Act 21 of 1989 amending the R. P. Act, 1950, the minimum age of registration of a voter has been brought down to 18 years. This has been made effective from 28th March, 1989.

Q 3. Which is the relevant date for determining the age qualification of 18 years? Suppose, you have completed 18 years of age today. Can you get yourself registered as voter ?

Ans. According to Section 14 (b) of the R. P. Act, 1950, the qualifying date means the first day of January of the year in which the electoral roll is prepared or revised.

Q 4. Can a non-citizen of India become a voter?

Ans. No. A person who is not a citizen of India cannot be registered as a voter. Article 326 of the Constitution read with Sec. 16 of R. P. Act, 1950 clarify the point.

Q 5. Can a non-resident Indian citizen become a voter?

Ans. According to Section 19 of the R. P. Act, 1950, only a person who is ordinarily resident in a constituency is entitled to be registered in the electoral roll of that constituency. However, such of the non-resident Indian Citizens who are employed under Govt. of India in a post outside India are eligible to be registered as voters in terms of Sec 20 (8) (d) read with Sec 20 (3) of the R. P. Act, 1950.

Q 6. If I am working and living in Delhi, can I be a voter in my native village?

Ans. No. If you are working in Delhi and residing there, you are an ordinary resident of Delhi in terms of Sec 19 (b). Therefore you can be enrolled at Delhi only and not in your native village.

Q 7. Can one be enrolled at more than one place?

Ans. No. A person cannot be enrolled as a voter in more than one place in the same constituency or in more than one constituency in view of the provisions contained under Sec. 17 and 18 of R. P. Act, 1950.

Q 8. How can I get registered/enrolled in the Electoral Roll?

Ans. You have to submit a filled in Form - 6 to the ERO of the Assembly Constituency.

Q. 9. What is the procedure to make corrections in such names / other details that have been misspelt in the Electoral Roll?

Ans. For incorporation of corrections in the Electoral Rolls, You have to submit Form - 8 to the ERO of the Assembly Constituency.

Q.10. I have shifted my residence recently. How do I ensure that I am enrolled in my new place of residence and my name is deleted from the old place?

Ans. In case the new residence is in the same constituency please fill Form 8A otherwise form 6 and submit to the ERO (SDM) or the AERO of the area of your new residence.

Political Career for Indian Youth- FAQ1- Electoral Rolls

Political Career for Indian Youth- Electroal Rolls- FAQ1

Q.11. I have shifted my residence recently. I have Photo EPIC Card with the old address. Can I get new EPIC Card for the present address?

Ans. First of all please ensure that you have enrolled yourself in the Electoral Roll of the concerned AC, where you are now residing following the procedure given in Ans. No.10. Subsequently, a new card at the present address will be issued to you.

Q.12. My old EPIC Card is defective. I would like to have a new EPIC Card with correct particulars. What is the procedure?

Ans. You can get your I Card rectified by depositing it in the Office of the ERO concerned or at Photography Centre when the work of preparation of Photo ID card begins.

Q.13. I do not have a ration card. Can I get enrolled without a ration card? What are the other documents, which I can show as proof of my residence?

Ans. Ration Card is not necessary, however, you can show any other proof of residence like Passport, Bank Pass Book, Driving license etc. or any Govt. document to facilitate the work of registration.

Q.14. I am a tenant and my landlord does not want me to get enrolled. How can I get enrolled as a voter?

Ans. To get enrolled in the voter list is your statutory right. Please check the Electoral roll of your area ERO (SDM)/AERO office. If your name is not included please fill up Form 6 and deposit it with the ERO.

Q.15. I have attained / will be attaining the age of 18. What proof do I need to show to get enrolled?

Ans. You can submit the proof of Date of Birth from the authorized agency (Passport, Matric certificate, Date of Birth certificate etc.)

Q.16. When I fill up Form 4, should I attach proof of my residence with Form 4?

Ans. It is not essential but if you attach a proof of residence, it will help early verification of the particulars given by you.

Q.17. An Enumerator has visited my house and taken down the details. How do I ensure that my name is finally included in the electoral rolls?

Ans. He must have handed over to you the record of Enumeration, which is your acknowledgement. You can check your name in the draft roll, which will be published and available at the office of the ERO concerned to confirm that your name exists in the roll.

Q.18. I have lost my old EPIC Card. How can I get a new EPIC Card?

Ans. You can deposit a copy of the FIR lodged at the Police Station. You will get a new EPIC Card after deposit of Rs. 25. The dates for issuing EPIC Cards are published in leading Newspapers.

Q.19. Who is responsible for the preparation of electoral rolls for a Parliamentary or Assembly Constituency?

Ans. The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). In the case of Delhi, these are the area Sub-Divisional Magistrates/Additional District Magistates. The Electoral Registration officer is responsible for the preparation of electoral rolls for an Assembly Constituency which itself is the roll for the Parliamentary Constituency in so far as that Assembly Segment is concerned.

Q.20. Who appoints the Electoral Registration officer?

Ans. Under section 13B of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Election Commission of India, in consultation with the State/UT Government, appoints an Officer of the Government or the Local Authorities as the Electoral Registration Officer. In addition, the Election Commission of India also appoints one or more Assistant Electoral Registration Officers to assist the Electoral Registration Officer in the performance of his functions in the matter of preparation/revision of electoral rolls.

Political Career for Indian Youth - Election Machinery - FAQ2

Political Career: Career for Indian Youth-FAQ2-Election Machinery

Q 15. Who appoints the District Election Officer?

Ans. Election Commission of India (ECI).

The Election Commission of India nominates or designates an Officer of the State Government as the District Election Officer in consultation with the State Government.

Q 16. Who is responsible for the conduct of elections in any Parliamentary or Assembly constituency ?

Ans. Returning Officer (RO)

The Returning Officer of a parliamentary or assembly constituency is responsible for the conduct of elections in the parliamentary or assembly constituency concerned as per section 21 of the Representation of the People Act 1951.

Q 17. Who appoints the Returning Officer?

Ans. Election Commission of India (ECI)

The Election Commission of India nominates or designates an officer of the Government or a local authority as the Returning Officer for each of the assembly and parliamentary constituencies in consultation with the State Government/Union Territory Administration. In addition, the Election Commission of India also appoints one or more Assistant Returning Officers for each of the assembly and parliamentary constituencies to assist the Returning Officer in the performance of his functions in connection with the conduct of elections.

Q 18. Who is responsible for the preparation of electoral rolls for a Parliamentary or Assembly Constituency?

Ans. Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)

The Electoral Registration officer is responsible for the preparation of electoral rolls for a parliamentary / assembly constituency.

Q 19. Who conducts the poll at a polling station?

Ans. Presiding Officer.The Presiding Officer with the assistance of polling officers conducts the poll at a polling station.

Q 20. Who appoints the Electoral Registration officer?

Ans. Under section 13B of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Election Commission of India, in consultation with the State / UT Government, appoints an Officer of the Government or the Local Authorities as the Electoral Registration Officer. In addition, the Election Commission of India also appoints one or more Assistant Electoral Registration Officers to assist the Electoral Registration Officer in the performance of his functions in the matter of preparation / revision of electoral rolls.

Q 21. Who appoints Presiding Officers and Polling Officers?

Ans. District Election Officer (DEO)

Under section 26 of the Representation of the People Act 1951, the District Election Officer appoints the Presiding Officers and the Polling Officers. In the case of Union Territories, such appointments are made by the Returning Officers.

Q 22. Who appoints Observers?

Ans. Election Commission of India (ECI)

Under section 20B of the Representationof the People Act 1951, the Election Commission of India nominates officers of Government as Observers (General Observers and Election Expenditure Observers) for parliamentary and assembly constituencies. They perform such functions as are entrusted to them by the Commission. Earlier, the appointment of Observers was made under the plenary powers of the Commission. But with the amendments made to the Representation of the People Act, 1951 in 1996, these are now statutory appointments. They report directly to the Commission.

Political Career for Indian Youth- Election Machinery- FAQ1

Political Career: Career for Indian Youth-FAQ1-Election Machinery

Q 8. What is the term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner? Is it different from the Election Commissioners?

Ans. The Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner holds office for a term of six years from the date on which he assumes his office. However, where the Chief Election Commissioner or an Election Commissioner attains the age of sixty-five years before the expiry of the said term of six years, he shall vacate his office on the the date on which he attains sixty-five years of age.

Q 9. When the Commissioner becomes a multi-member Commission, how are the decisions taken, whether by majority or by consensus?

Ans. Section 10 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Amendment Act, 1993 is reproduced below:-(1) The Election Commission may be by unanimous decision, regulate the procedure for transaction of to business as also allocation of its business amongst the Chief Election Commissioner and their Election Commissioners.(2) Save as provided in sub section (i) all business of the Election Commission shall, as far as possible, be transacted unanimously.(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (ii), if the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners differ in opinion on any matter, such matter shall be decided by according to the opinion of the majority.

Q 10. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioners and Election Commissioners?

Ans. The President.

Under Article 324(2) of the Constitution of India, the President of India is empowered to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners.

Q 11. Who fixes the number of Election Commissioners (other than Chief Election Commissioner)?

Ans. The President.

Article 324(2) also empowers the President of India to fix from time to time the number of Election Commissioners other than the Chief Election Commissioner.

Q 12. Who supervises the election work in a State?

Ans. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

As per section 13A of the Representation of the People Act 1950, read with section 20 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Chief Electoral Officer of a State/ Union Territory is authorised to supervise the election work in the State/Union Territory subject to the overall superintendence, direction and control of the Election Commission.

Q 13. Who appoints the Chief Electoral Officer?

Ans. Election Commission of India (ECI)

The Election Commission of India nominates or designates an Officer of the Government of the State/Union Territory as the Chief Electoral Officer in consultation with that State Government/Union Territory Administration.

Q 14. Who supervises the election work in a District?

Ans. The District Election Officer (DEO)

As per section 13AA of the Representation of the People Act 1950, subject to the superintendence, direction and control of the Chief Electoral Officer, the District Election Officer supervises the election work of a district.

Political Career for Indian Youth- Election Machinery-FAQ

Political Career for Indian Youth- Election Machinery - FAQ

Q 1. Which authority conducts elections to the offices of the President and Vice-President of India ?

Ans. Election Commission of India (ECI). Under Article 324(1) of the Constitution of India, the Election Commission of India, interalia, is vested with the power of superintendence, direction and control of conducting the elections to the offices of the President and Vice-President of India. Detailed provisions are made under the Presidential and Vice Presidential Elections Act, 1952 and the rules made thereunder.

Q 2. Which authority conducts elections to Parliament?

Ans. Election Commission of India (ECI). The same Article 324 also vests in the Commission the powers of superintendence, direction and control of the elections to both Houses of Parliament. Detailed provisions are made under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the rules made thereunder.

Q 3. Which authority conducts elections to the State Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils?

Ans. Election Commission of India (ECI). Article 324 (1) also vests in the Commission the powers of superintendence, direction and control of the elections to both Houses of the State Legislature. Detailed provisions are made under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the rules made thereunder.

Q 4. Which authority conducts elections to Corporations, Municipalities and other Local Bodies ?

Ans. The State Election Commissions (SECs). The State Election Commissions constituted under the Constitution (Seventy-third and Seventy-fourth) Amendments Act, 1992 for each State / Union Territory are vested with the powers of conduct of elections to the Corporations, Muncipalities, Zilla Parishads, District Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, Gram Panchayats and other local bodies. They are independent of the Election Commission of India.

Q 5. What is the present composition of the Election Commission?

Ans. A Three - Member Body. At present, the Election Commission of India is a three-member body, with one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.

Q 6. Has the Election Commission been a multi-member body from the beginning?

Ans. No. It was not a multi member body from the beginning. It was a single - member body when it was first set up in 1950 and up to 15th October, 1989 with only the Chief Election Commissioner. From 16th October, 1989 upto the 1st January, 1990, it became a three-member body with R.V.S.Peri Sastri (C.E.C) and S.S.Dhanoa and V.S.Seigell as Election Commissioners. From 2nd January, 1990 to 30th September, 1993, it was a single-member Commission and again from 1st October, 1993 it has become a three-member Commission.

Q 7. What is the status Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners in terms of salaries and allowances etc.?

Ans. Equivalent to Supreme Court Judges. The Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners draw salaries and allowances at par with those of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India as provided for by the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1992.

Political Career for Indian Youth - Delimitation of Constituencies

Political Career for Indian Youth - FAQ- Delimitation of Constituencies

Q 1. There are 543 Parliamentary constituencies in India each electing one member. Who demarcates the boundaries of these constituencies?

Ans. Delimitation Commission. Under Article 82 of the Constitution, the Parliament by law enacts a Delimitation Act after every census. After coming into force commencement of the Act, the Central Government constitutes a Delimitation Commission. This Delimitation Commission demarcates the boundaries of the Parliamentary Constituencies as per provisions of the Delimitation Act. The present delimitation of constituencies has been done on the basis of 2001 census figures under the provisions of Delimitation Act, 2002. Notwithstanding the above, the Constitution of India was specifically amended in 2002 not to have delimitation of constituencies till the first census after 2026. Thus, the present Constituencies carved out on the basis of 2001 census shall continue to be in operation till the first census after 2026.

Q 2. What is the main basis for allocation of seats to various States in the Lok Sabha?

Ans. Population of the State. Population is the basis of allocation of seats of the Lok Sabha. As far as possible, every State gets representation in the Lok Sabha in proportion to its population as per census figures.

Q 3. Is there any reservation of seats for any special category in Lok Sabha?

Ans. Yes. In Lok Sabha there is reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Here also census figures are taken into account.

Q 4. On what basis is this reservation made?

Ans. Allocation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the Lok Sabha are made on the basis of proportion of Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the State concerned to that of the total population, vide provision contained in Article 330 of the Constitution of India read with Section 3 of the R. P. Act, 1950.

Q 5. How many seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes in Lok Sabha?

Ans. 84. For Scheduled Castes, 84 seats are reserved in Lok Sabha. The 1st schedule to Representation of People Act, 1950 as amended vide Representation of People (Amendment) Act , 2008 gives the Statewise breakup.

Q 6. How many seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes in Lok Sabha?

Ans. 47. For Scheduled Tribes, 47 seats are reserved in Lok Sabha. The 1st schedule to R. P. Act, 1950 as amended vide Representation of People (Amendment) Act , 2008 gives the Statewise break up.

Q 7. Which are the States having the minimum number of seats in Lok Sabha?

Ans. The following States and Union Territories have one seat each in the LokSabha

Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Pondicherry

Q 8. How many States are there in India?

Ans. 28. There are 28 states in India viz. Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and West Bengal.

Q 9. How many Union Territories are in India?

Ans. Seven. There are 7 Union Territories in India. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep and Pondicherry.

Q 10. For every State, there has to be a Legislative Assembly, but it is not so in the case of all Union Territories. Which are the U.Ts. having a Legislative Assembly?

Ans. Two

Political Career for Indian Youth - Counting and Declaration of Results

Political Career for Indian Youth - FAQ - Counting and Declaration of Results

Q 1. Who is responsible for the counting of votes and declaration of result of an election?

Ans. The Returning Officer. According to Sec. 64 of the R. P. Act, 1951, votes are counted by or under the supervision / direction of the Returning Officer of the Constituency. When the counting is completed, the Returning officer declares the result as per provisions of Sec. 66 of R. P. Act, 1951.

Q 2. After the declaration of results in all constituencies, which authority will constitute the new Lok Sabha – President or the Election Commission?

Ans. Election Commission of India (ECI). According to Sec. 73 of the R. P. Act, 1951, after the results of all Parliamentary constituencies are declared, the Election Commission will constitute the new Lok Sabha by notifying in the official gazette, the names of the elected members.