ELECTION AND REPRESENTATION

E LECTIONS AND D EMOCRACY Let us begin by asking ourselves two simple questions about elections and democracy. Can we have democracy without holding elections? Can we hold elections without having democracy? Let us have a discussion in the classroom on both these questions by using examples from whatever we have learnt so far in the previous classes.

The first question reminds us of the necessity of representation in a large democracy. All citizens cannot take direct part in making every decision. Therefore, representatives are elected by the people. This is how elections become important.

Whenever we think of India as a democracy, our mind invariably turns to the last elections. Elections have today become the most visible symbol of the democratic process. We often distinguish between direct and indirect democracy. A direct democracy is one where the citizens directly participate in the day-to-day decision- making and in the running of the government.

The ancient city-states in Greece were considered examples of direct democracy. Many would consider local governments, especially gram sabhas, to be the closest examples of direct They say elections are carnival of democracy. But this cartoon depicts chaos instead. Is this true of elections always?

Is it good for democracy?