Importance of Elections

Hello everyone! Today, let’s talk about something super important that helps
keep our country running smoothly: elections. Think of elections like a big team
meeting where everyone gets to choose their captain and leaders.
1. What Are Elections?
Elections are when people vote to pick leaders for our country, state, or local
areas. It’s like voting for your class monitor or team captain, but on a much
larger scale.
2. Why Are Elections Important?
 Choosing Leaders: Imagine if your school didn’t have teachers or
principals to guide you. It’d be chaos, right? Similarly, we need good
leaders to make rules, solve problems, and ensure everyone is treated
fairly.
 Your Voice Matters: In elections, every single vote counts. Even you,
when you grow up, will have the power to decide who should lead.
 Fair and Peaceful Decisions: Elections allow people to decide who they
trust without fighting. Instead of arguing or using force, we simply vote.
3. What Makes a Good Leader?
A good leader:
 Cares about everyone, not just a few people.
 Works hard to improve schools, hospitals, roads, and jobs.
 Ensures laws are followed and everyone is treated equally.
When we vote in elections, we pick leaders who we believe can do all these
things well.
4. What Happens if We Don’t Have Elections?
Without elections, only a few people might decide everything, and that wouldn’t
be fair. Elections give power to everyone not just a king or a group of rulers.
Elections are like the heart of democracy. They help us decide who will take
care of our country, make new rules, and ensure everyone’s happiness and
safety. When it’s your time to vote, don’t forget that your choice can make
a big difference!
 Importance of voting

Why Voting is Important :

Imagine you're in your school elections. If only a few students vote, the winners
may not represent everyone. This is what happens in real life too. Voting helps
us choose leaders who make decisions for our country, state, or town. These
decisions affect schools, roads, hospitals, and even the prices of things you buy.
1. Your Vote Chooses Leaders:
In 1947, India became independent, and leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru were
chosen to guide the country. These leaders made important decisions like
building industries and schools .
When you vote, you choose leaders who decide how much money is spent on
education. For example, the government introduced the Right to Education Act
to ensure every child gets free education up to 14 years. This happened because
voters chose leaders who cared about students.
Imagine if leaders didn’t care about schools – there would be no proper
classrooms, books, or teachers!. Today, voting helps us select leaders who will
shape India’s future.
2. Voting Decides Policies:
When we vote, we influence policies that affect us. For example, schemes like
Midday Meals in schools were started to make sure children get food and can
focus on studies. These programs happen because we vote for leaders who care
about such policies.
 Midday Meal Schemes:
The Gorumudda Program in Andhra Pradesh ensures nutritious meals for
students in schools. This helps students stay healthy and focus better on their
studies. Leaders elected by voters have made such programs a priority. Without
good leadership, these benefits may not reach students effectively.

3. Improved School Facilities:

In Andhra Pradesh, the Mana Badi: Nadu-Nedu program transformed
government schools. Old classrooms were renovated, new ones were built, and
facilities like clean drinking water, toilets, and digital learning tools were added.
This happened because people voted for leaders who prioritized education.
If students don’t vote for good leaders when they grow up, programs like these
might not continue.
 Amma Vodi scheme gives financial support to mothers to send their
children to school. This helps reduce dropouts and ensures children
have access to education. Leaders who understand the value of
education make these decisions, which is why voting is so important.
4. Your Vote Shapes Your Future:
When you grow up, you’ll need jobs, college admissions, and financial aid.
Leaders decide on programs like free coaching for competitive exams, skill-
building courses, and affordable college fees. For example, the government of
Tamil Nadu provides laptops to school students. Such decisions are influenced
by voting.
 The Fee Reimbursement Scheme (also known as the Post-matric
Scholarship Scheme) is a student education sponsorship programme of
the Government of Andhra Pradesh. made higher education accessible
to students from low-income families. This policy allowed thousands
of students to pursue professional courses like engineering, medicine,
and management without worrying about tuition costs. Such a
visionary policy happened because people voted for a leader who
cared about students' futures.
 In the 1980s and 1990s, leaders introduced residential schools for
students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and
other backward classes (OBC). These schools provided free education,
boarding, and food, ensuring that underprivileged children could focus
on their studies. This showed how voting for inclusive leaders can
help students from all backgrounds.
5.To Stop Bad Leaders:
The responsible and informed citizens, who genuinely care about the welfare of
society, might sometimes refrain from voting due to apathy, a sense of futility,
or other reasons.
When such individuals choose not to participate, it creates a vacuum that can be
exploited by less ethical or corrupt leaders. If good people don’t vote, bad
leaders might win. For instance, if corrupt leaders are elected, they might
misuse public money. Voting ensures we get honest leaders who work for
everyone.
So, when you turn 18, remember that voting is your chance to make your
voice heard. It’s like choosing the captain of a cricket team you want the
best player, right? Similarly, choose leaders who will make India stronger
and better!
Why should you vote?
Voting is the foundation of a democracy like India, the world's largest
democracy. By voting, citizens choose leaders who make decisions for the
nation's growth and well-being. It's our way of shaping the country's future.

Who can vote?

Every Indian citizen aged 18 or above on January 1 of the year can vote, as long
as they are registered in the area where they live. People with certain
disqualifications, like being declared of unsound mind by a court or involved in
election-related crimes, cannot vote.

What is an electoral roll?

An electoral roll is a list of eligible voters for an election, organized by

Assembly Constituencies and polling booths. Each booth covers about 1200
voters, ensuring no one travels more than 2 km to vote. You can vote only if
your name is on the electoral roll for your area. Check and ensure your name is
registered.

How to register?

 House-to-House Registration is a process where officials visit homes

every five years to make sure the voter list is up to date.
 Officials visit homes: Every five years, officials go door-to-door in
neighbourhoods to check the voter list.
 Register new voters: If someone in the house has turned 18 and is eligible
to vote, they will be added to the list.
 Update information: They also check if any details need to be updated,
like someone moving to a new house or changing their name.
  Remove outdated information: If anyone on the list is no longer eligible
to vote, like someone who has moved away or passed away, their name is
removed.
This process helps ensure that the voter list is accurate and that everyone who is
eligible can vote in the next election.

 Annual Updates mean that if you miss registering as a voter during the
house-to-house visit, you can still add your name later.
 Form-6: Every year, there’s a chance for people to apply and add their
name to the voter list if they missed it earlier. You can fill out Form-6 to
do this.
 Summary Revision: This is an annual process where officials review the
voter list and make sure everything is correct. During this time, you can
submit Form-6 to get your name added.
So, if you didn’t get registered during the house visit, don’t worry! You can still
apply later during the annual revision.
 The process when you need to update your voter details or register at
a new address:
1. Moved or Changed Details?
 Form-6:
If you've moved to a new address, you can use Form-6 to register at your
new address and have your name removed from the old address.
 Form-8:
If you need to change your name, age, or any other details, you use
Form-8 to make these updates.
 Form-8A:
If you’ve just shifted to a new place within the same area or constituency,
you use Form-8A to move your registration to your new address without
changing your constituency.
2. Objections and Claims
During the revision process, if you find any wrong details about yourself or
others, you can:
 Form-7: Use this to object to incorrect entries.
 Suggest deletions if there’s a person who should no longer be on the list.
3. Continuous Updates
Even after the yearly revisions, you can still apply for any changes in your
details at any time by contacting the Electoral Registration Officer.
4. Deadline for Elections
If you want your name to be included in the voter list for an upcoming election,
make sure you apply at least 10 days before the last date for nominations.
This ensures your name will be added in time to vote in the election.
These forms help keep the voter list accurate, whether you're updating your
details, moving addresses, or correcting mistakes. Just remember to apply early
if you want to vote in the next election!
How to Check Your Name in the Electoral Rolls & Polling Station
 Check Your Name: You should check if your name is on the voter list
(electoral roll) for your area. You can do this by contacting the Electoral
Registration Officer or checking online on official websites.
 Find Your Polling Station: You can also find out which polling station
you need to go to for voting, usually listed along with the electoral roll.
Do You Have an Electors’ Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
 Voter ID Required: To vote, you need to show an Electors Photo
Identity Card (EPIC), which is issued by the Election Commission of
India. If you don’t have an EPIC, you can show other approved
documents as proof of identity.
Will possession of an EPIC alone entitle you to vote
No, simply having an EPIC (Voter ID) does not guarantee you can vote. Your
name must also be on the electoral roll. Once your name is on the list and you
have an ID (like the EPIC), you are eligible to vote.
What are the basic do’s and don’t’s as polling day approaches?
As a voter you should also know the aspects that are considered as corrupt
practices or electoral offences:
(i) Offering or accepting money or any other gratification either to
vote for or not to vote for a particular candidate.
(ii) Inducement by way of liquor, feast, gifts, etc. to vote for or not
to vote for a particular candidate.
(iii) Inducement to vote or not to vote for a particular candidate on
the grounds of religion, caste, community, sectarian beliefs or
place of birth.
(iv) Threat to an elector of ex-communication if he votes for or
against a particular candidate.
(v) Offer of free conveyance to any elector to go to or from any
polling station

What is the process of voting

The poll date and hours are fixed by the Election Commission India and they
are well publicized before all elections.
When you reach the polling station, entry will be regulated by queues. There
will be separate queues for men and women voters and the physically
handicapped persons. The persons who enforce the queues will allow 3-4 voters
into the polling station at a time. Physically handicapped voters and women
voters with babies in arm will be given precedence over the other voters in the
queue.
Stage 1: Entry and Identification
 Upon entering the polling station, proceed to the First Polling Officer
responsible for verifying voter identity.
 What to carry:
o A valid identity document (e.g., Voter ID, Aadhaar, Passport, etc.).
o An unofficial identity slip (optional), which helps locate your name
in the electoral roll but is not proof of identity.
 The First Polling Officer will:
1.Cross-check your details with the marked copy of the electoral roll.
2.Call out your name and serial number to inform polling agents and allow for
any identity challenges.

Stage 2: Marking and Voter Registration

 If your identity is not challenged, proceed to the Second Polling Officer
who performs the following tasks:
1. Marks your left forefinger with indelible ink to prevent multiple
voting.
2. Records your serial number in the Register of Voters.
3. Asks you to sign the register. If unable to sign, your thumb
impression is taken.
4. Issues you a signed voter slip, which records:
 Your serial number in the Register of Voters.
 Your serial number in the electoral roll.

Stage 3: Access to the Voting Machine

 Move to the Third Polling Officer, who:
1. Collects the voter slip issued by the Second Polling Officer.
2. Presses the "Ballot" button on the Control Unit of the Electronic
Voting Machine (EVM).
3. Directs you to the voting compartment.

Stage 4: Voting Procedure

 Inside the voting compartment:
1. Locate the Balloting Unit of the EVM.
2. Press the blue button corresponding to the name and symbol of
the candidate of your choice.
3. Upon pressing the button:
 A red lamp glows next to the chosen candidate’s name and
symbol.
  A beep sound confirms your vote has been recorded.
 The "Busy" lamp on the Control Unit turns off.
4. Exit the voting compartment.
 People will vote for both the MLA and the MP:

For example In Andhra Pradesh, as in other states in India, people vote

for both the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Member of
Parliament (MP) during separate elections.
1. MLA Election:
o The MLA is elected for the State Legislative Assembly (also
known as the Vidhan Sabha). Each district or constituency within
the state has a specific MLA who represents that area in the state
legislature.
o In Andhra Pradesh, there are 175 constituencies in the Legislative
Assembly. During a state election, voters in these constituencies
choose an MLA who will represent them in the state’s legislative
body, making decisions on state-level laws, policies, and
development issues.
o The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election happens every
5 years, where political parties or independent candidates contest
for these positions.
2. MP Election:
o The MP represents the state at the Central Parliament (Lok Sabha),
where laws and policies for the entire country are made. Voters in
Andhra Pradesh also choose their MPs from specific constituencies
in the state.
o Andhra Pradesh is divided into 25 Lok Sabha constituencies, and
during the General Election, voters select an MP to represent each
constituency.
o MPs debate and vote on national issues, pass central laws, and
scrutinize the work of the government. The Lok Sabha elections
take place every 5 years.
Example:
If you are a voter in Visakhapatnam:
 In the state election, you will vote for an MLA who will represent you in
the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
 In the national election, you will vote for an MP who will represent
Visakhapatnam in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi.
 Both elections are separate, and while they might happen around the same
time, they focus on different levels of governance state and national.

Post-Voting
 Leave the polling station immediately after casting your vote.
 Note: The process is repeated for other voters in the same sequence as
recorded in the Register of Voters.

What Happens if Someone Else Votes in Your Name?

If you go to vote and the polling officer tells you that your vote has already been
cast, here's what you should do:
1. Inform the Presiding Officer:
o Immediately tell the Presiding Officer (the main official at the
polling station) that your vote has already been cast by someone
else.
2. Tendered Vote:
o You will be allowed to cast a Tendered Vote. This is a special
process to ensure your vote counts even if someone voted in your
name.
3. Tendered Ballot Paper:
o The Presiding Officer will give you a Tendered Ballot Paper,
which looks the same as the regular ballot paper, but it will be
marked with the words "Tendered Ballot Paper" on the back.
4. Sign the List of Tendered Votes:
o You will need to sign your name on a list to confirm you are
casting a tendered vote.
5. Mark Your Choice:
o You will mark your vote on the tendered ballot paper using the
same process (with a rubber stamp) as other voters.
6. Return the Paper:
 o Hand over the tendered ballot paper to the Presiding Officer. They
will keep it in a separate cover.
Important: In this case, you won't use the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)
to vote. Your vote will be counted separately through the tendered ballot.