In phase 1, a total of 21 states will vote for 102 seats out of 543 Lok Sabha seats. Citizens will vote for 1,625 candidates in the first phase; out of these 135 are women candidates. The polling process will be held in 7 phases till June 1.The votes will be counted on June 4.
India is a democratic nation and voting is the cornerstone of democracy, empowering citizens to participate in governance and shape the direction of their society. It ensures that voices are heard, rights are protected, and leaders are chosen by the people they serve. Through voting, individuals can express their preferences, hold elected officials accountable, and advocate for change. Voting upholds the principle that power belongs to the people, reinforcing the foundation of a free and just society.
Here are a few things kids should know about voting system and election process in India:
How to vote in India?
There are certain guidelines to follow to cast your vote: (details from the official website of the Election Commission of India)
- First polling official will check your name on the voter list and check your ID proof
- Second polling official will ink your finger, give you a slip and take your signature on a register (Form 17A)
- You will have to deposit the slip at the third polling official and show your inked finger and then proceed to the polling booth
- Record your vote by pressing the ballot button opposite the symbol of the candidate of your choice on the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM); You will hear a beep sound
- Check the slip that appears in the transparent window of the VVPAT machine. The slip with the Candidate serial No., Name and Symbol shall be visible for 7 seconds before it drops in the sealed VVPAT box
- You can press NOTA, None of the Above, if you don’t like any candidate; it’s the last button on the EVM
- Always follow the official portal for information and updates on elections ecisveep.nic.in
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering elections in the country. Established in 1950, its primary mandate is to conduct free, fair, and impartial elections at the national, state, and local levels. Comprising a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners, it oversees various aspects of the electoral process, including voter registration, candidate nomination, campaigning, polling, and counting of votes. The ECI enforces the Model Code of Conduct to ensure fair play during elections and works to enhance voter awareness and participation. Its impartiality and dedication to democratic principles uphold the integrity of India’s electoral system. The Commission comprises CEC Rajiv Kumar and ECs Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu.
Political parties
Candidates from different political parties contest in the election. This year, the main political parties are the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is said to be the world’s largest political outfit, Indian National Congress which is one of the oldest political parties in the country and has governed the nation for more than two-thirds of the years since independence in 1947, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which started in 2012 and forms government in the national capital Delhi, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or DMK, All India Trinamool Congress or TMC, and many other political parties. Each party has its own symbol, for example Lotus for BJP and a hand sign for Congress.
Effective strategies to manage toddler aggression
Kids should understand that voting is a fundamental right and responsibility in a democracy like India. It allows citizens to have a say in who represents them and makes decisions on their behalf. In India, every citizen who is 18 years or older has the right to vote, regardless of caste, religion, gender, or economic status. This ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process. To vote, citizens need to have a Voter ID card, also known as Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC). This card serves as proof of identity and eligibility to vote. Electronic Voting Machines or EVMs are electronic devices used for casting and counting votes securely and efficiently.