Election Essay: The Importance of Voting in a Democracy

The day when India freed herself from the shackles of British Rule, she gained her independence as a democratic country and set a new platform where everyone has the right to give his/her political opinion. This is the definition of democracy where a leader is chosen after conducting a poll. The voters will put their choices in the ballot boxes from the available options. The candidate who has got the highest votes will be chosen as the leader. This is called an election.

An election is considered the prime pillar of democracy. Not only for the country but the election can also be conducted in any case where public opinion matters the most. An election is also defined as a decision-making process within a group of people sharing similar interests. For example, if you are a member of a club and you want to fill the vacant position of the chairman, choose the most suitable members and let the others cast their votes. On counting, the highest vote winner will be chosen as the chairperson. This is how a democratic government works.

In a democratic country, every person has the right to showcase his political views. This is called suffrage. It is the prime element of the election. Going a step ahead, we need to find out who can cast their votes. People of all ages will not be able to commend the importance of voting and choosing a leader. For this, one needs to be mature enough to understand the situation of a country. This is why the country’s voting authority has set the minimum voting age to 18 years. In India, people entering their adulthood at the age of 18 can cast their votes.

The second phase is to choose the candidates who can compete in a voting session and do campaigns. The electorate authority has set a list of guidelines that a candidate has to follow to register his name as a nominee. It happens in the public office where the candidate will have to file the nomination. Furthermore, testimonials and endorsements are provided in support of the candidates who have filed their nominations.

The Election Commission sets the platform where the voting session will be carried in different states. As per the constitutional arrangements, a voting platform is set where eligible people will cast their votes. Based on the result, a political decision will be taken. Once all the votes are cast, ballot boxes are opened and all votes are counted. The digital ballot panels can also count votes automatically. The counting results will then be tallied. The number of votes each candidate has secured will be counted and compared to find the winner.

The electoral body will make decisions regarding scheduling and conducting votes. Elections are conducted regularly in every democratic country. The nominees can campaign in their respective areas to gather more traction and win the election. Individuals understand the candidates’ propaganda and wisely choose the right one based on their experiences.

Election gives us the power to choose the best leader in every session. If one is not performing up to the mark, he can be replaced in the next voting session. All we need is proper awareness of the public for making the right decisions. This is what democracy stands for. One has the power to replace an undesirable candidate with a suitable nominee in an upcoming voting session.

Elections are conducted to allow the common to participate in making political decisions. Common men have many responsibilities in their personal and professional life. It is the election that helps them choose their leaders to run the country.

Characteristics of Election

First of all, suffrage plays a vital role in Elections. Most importantly, it refers to the right to vote in Elections. We need to determine who has the right to vote. Almost all countries restrict individuals under the age of majority from voting. The question of who can vote is certainly an important one. The electorate is unlikely to include the entire population.

The election also involves the nomination of candidates; this means to suggest someone formally for Election. Nomination refers to the selection of a candidate for public office. Moreover, endorsements or testimonials are public statements that support a candidate's nomination.

A second essential feature of an Election is the electoral system. Electoral systems refer to detailed constitutional arrangements as well as voting systems. Furthermore, detailed constitutional arrangements and voting systems transform the vote into a political decision.

As a first step in the election process, there is the tally of votes. While there are several systems of counting votes, the determination of the results is based largely on the tally. Most voting systems can be classified as proportional or majoritarian.

Schedules refer to the arranging and controlling of Elections. Elected officials are responsible to the people. For that reason, they must return to the voters regularly. Elected officials must do this to remain in office. 

In addition to Election, there is also an election campaign. An election campaign is an organized project intended to influence the opinion of a particular group. In consequence, politicians compete by trying to woo more and more people.

Importance of Election

In the first place, we can observe that elections are a peaceful and efficient method of choosing political leaders. Furthermore, individuals in a nation choose their leaders by casting votes. In this way, citizens can select someone whose views are most in line with their own. 

An election is an excellent opportunity for people to voice their dissatisfaction. Most importantly, if people dislike a particular leadership, then they can remove it. People can replace an undesirable leadership with a better alternative through elections.

In most democratic countries, common citizens are allowed to run for election in their own right. The election is a great opportunity for participation in politics.

Therefore, a citizen could implement reforms that aren't part of a political party's agenda. In addition, in most democratic countries, a citizen can form a new political party to contest elections.