Page 82 - Sst Class - IX

The election process includes various stages as follows:

1. Announcement of Election Schedule by the ECI

• After the end of the five-year term of the legislature or the dissolving of the legislature due to various
reasons, the Election Commission of India (ECI) enables the electoral machinery to conduct the
upcoming elections.
• The Election Commission of India normally announces the schedule of elections in a major press
conference a few weeks before the formal process is started.

• The election schedule includes important dates of various events of the election process such as the
date of filing nominations, date of polling, etc.
• After such announcement, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the guidance of candidates and
political parties comes immediately into effect.

2. Issue of Notification by the ECI

• The notification for elections is issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) after announcing the
election schedule.
3. Filing of Nominations by the Candidates

• The candidates can start filing their nominations in the constituencies from where they wish to
contest, after the notifications for elections are announced.

• Validly nominated candidates can withdraw within two days after nominations have been inspected.
4. Allocation of Symbols

• Of all the candidates, those from national parties and state parties already have symbols which are
exclusively reserved for their parties. Rest of the candidates are allotted symbols from a list of free
symbols.

5. Oath or Affirmations of Candidates
• A candidate has to make and subscribe to an oath or affirmation before an officer authorised by the
Election Commission of India (ECI).

• The candidate is required to personally make the oath or affirmation either immediately after
submitting their nomination papers or at the latest, on the day before the date of scrutiny of the
nomination papers.

6. Election Campaigns
• After the filing of nominations are done by the candidates, they start their Election Campaigns.

• The Election Campaign refers to the period when the political parties put forward their candidates
and arguments with which they hope to convince people to vote for their candidates and parties.

• The official Election Campaign period begins at least two weeks from the list of nominated candidates
is finalised and concludes 48 hours before the polling stations close on election day.
• During the Election Campaign, the political parties and contesting candidates are expected to abide
by the Model Code of Conduct.

80