The burning issue of the present time is the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Wherever four people gather, the conversation centers on these choices. Election Commission of India can announce the date of election at any time. India is a big democratic country of the world.
What is the real meaning of a democratic country?
It literally means power or strength in the hands of the people. Elections are held to ensure this power. Therefore, elections are the process in which people form the government by choosing their favorite representatives through votes. A democratic government means a government elected by the people, for the people. States are divided into constituencies on the basis of population. Generally, the voters and the population are almost equal in every area.
If we talk about the history of elections in our country, the first general elections started on 25 October 1951 and ended on 21 February 1952. In this the Indian National Congress (INC) got a sweeping victory and Shri Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of independent India. These elections were held under universal adult suffrage. Adult voters above 21 years of age participated in this process. 53 political parties nominated their candidates for a total of 489 Lok Sabha seats. A total of 1874 candidates tried their luck for these seats. At that time, the population of the country was around 36 crores, in which 17 crores and 32 lakhs were eligible voters. The first election commissioner of independent India was Sukumar Sen. The major winners in these elections were Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Guljari Lal Nanda, Sucheta Kripalani, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and others.
India is constitutionally a democratic country where elections to the Lok Sabha are promised to be conducted on time and free and fair. These elections determine the form of government. The governments of the time make extensive arrangements to make the elections fair and fearless. Police and military forces are deployed on a large scale. India still comes in the list of developing countries of the world. The spread of education has not yet reached the desired level. That is why illiteracy and ignorance hinder us from being prudent in choosing our representatives.
Even today, it is a bitter truth of our time that the electoral process is largely influenced by caste, regionalism, religion and sectarianism. Apart from this, various types of greed, drug fear and terror also play an important role in reducing the number of votes. Elections seem to be more a game of money than the ability of the candidate. Along with this, statements of "changing parties", "returning home", "feeling stuck in the current party" etc. are also being read and heard as the elections are approaching. Well, choosing a responsible and responsive candidate is in our own hands. We should listen to the voice of our soul without any greed, give up the attachment of caste religion and hand over the future of our next generation and the country in the hands of the right people. Rightly elected leaders will help to take our country towards proper development. Today the eyes of the world are on our India. Every voter is the builder of new India.