1.3 Brief Overview of the Election Process in India

Broadly, there are 3 levels to which elected officials can be appointed: Centre, State, and Local Bodies. Elections in India are held to elect members of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, Legislative Council, to the posts of President, Vice-President, Local Bodies, Municipal Corporation, Gram Panchayat, Zila Panchayat and Block Panchayat.

The stages of the election process of India can be thought to begin with the delimitation of constituencies wherein the entire area (the whole country in the case of Lok Sabha elections and that particular state in the case of Legislative Assembly elections) is divided into constituencies. Thereafter, the electoral roll i.e. voters' list for each constituency is prepared/revised and published.

The Election Commission (EC) normally announces schedule of elections a few weeks before the formal process is set in motion. The Model Code of Conduct for guidance of candidates and political parties comes immediately into effect after such announcement.

The formal process for the elections starts with notification calling upon the electorate to elect Members of a House. As soon as Notifications are issued, candidates can start filing their nominations in the constituencies from where they wish to contest. These are scrutinized by the Returning Officer of the constituency concerned. The next stage is the campaign by all the candidates and the parties. The election campaign ends 48 hours before the polling. The last step is the counting of votes and declaration of result.