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Acknowledgement

All the praise and glory to Allah, who blessed us with the courage and knowledge to achieve our
goal.

We can never thank him enough for his countless blessing upon us. Praise to Prophet
Muhammad(PBUH) who is and will always be a source of guidance and knowledge for
humanity as a whole.

For us a mile stone of this nature would never have been possible to achieve without the supports
of galaxy of some truly loving and kind people in our life.

No words can fully describe our feelings of respect and gratitude for our affectionate parents,
supporting sibling and friends, whose love, encouragement and prayers in variably buoyed us up.

Their concern, love and support can never be paid back.

THANKS
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Election

Modern States are large country States with vast territories and great population .It is physically
impossible for the people in such States to assemble at one place for political purposes. They
can take part in the business of the State only indirectly that is through their representatives
whom they elect to make laws and policies and to decide other affairs of the States. Hence
modern democracy is an indirect democracy, with representative elected by the people who
have the right to vote called suffrage. This indirect mode of participation is known as election.

The purposes of elections

JOHN AUSTIN Said that,
Electoral procedure is like the procedure in a marriage ceremony “Do you take this man(or
woman) to be your lawfully wedded husband(or wife)?.Election is the point at which a voter
preference becomes a public act a social and political commitment to kind of laws or policies he
prefers. It is a choice between two views or opinions about law, policies and decision of the
government.

The authority or power of the government which the elected candidates would exercise
without which the individual preference or grievances(of the people)the grievances are apt to
be neglected. Thus the election is the connecting links between the demands of the people and
the decision of the government.

Franchise
The right to vote is called the franchise. It is one of the most important political rights of the
citizens in a democratic State. When a citizen exercise his rights to vote he becomes a voter or
elector. The actual choice or exercise of the right to vote is called voting. The act of voting is
called polling. When the citizens as a whole exercise their rights to vote to elect their
representatives it is called an election.

Two theories of Franchise.

Individualistic theory of franchise
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According to the theory franchise or the right to vote is the natural and inherent right of the
individual. This theory was based on three doctrines which were prevalent during the 18 th
century: the doctrines of natural rights, equity of man and popular sovereignty or General Will.
Carried to its logical conclusion this theory implies universal suffrage. All citizens have the
inalienable and sacred right to participate in the formulation of the law ‘none can be deprived
of this right upon any pretext or in any government.’’ Thus law as the expression of popular
sovereignty was justified only when all citizens have the rights to elect their representatives
who make laws, the doctrines of the political equality also required that every citizen should
have the right to vote.

Collective Theory.
It favors restricted franchise certain sections or classes can be excluded from the right to vote
on grounds determined by the law of the State as illiteracy,ignorance,etc.This theory has the
support of several modern writers, such as Bluntschli,Lecky john Stuart etc.

Age Restriction.
Every State requires that an individual acquire the right to vote when he attains a certain age.
Minors and young people are not given the right to vote because they are too young and
immature to understand the purpose of voting and election It is 21 in Pakistan.

Mental and Moral Fitness.

An individual must be mentally and morally fit to be a voter.

Purpose of voting.
Political issues can be settled by expressing opinion either peacefully or with violence. Voting
has been described as a means of deciding political disputes and questions without violence.

Public vs. Secret Voting.

Freedom from intimidation and pressure at the time of voting is essential if voter is to express
his choice freely and independently. It means voting should be secret But secret voting is
recently put into use. In the past centuries, the voter expressed his choice openly and orally in
the public. It is called open voting secret Voting the voter casts his vote secretly by means of a
ballot paper.

Plural Voting.
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Some persons are given more than one vote on such grounds ass education or property or
some other qualification. When a person has plural votes, he casts them as many times as his
votes.

Weighted Voting.
It is a particular form of plural voting. Weighted voting means that the vote is weighted on
account of education, property or some other qualification.

Constituency
It is impossible that millions of voters in a country could assemble at one place and cast their
votes en msse,or known all candidates or go long distances to vote. Owing to these
considerations, the whole territory of the State is divided into many electoral areas or districts,
called the constituencies.

Merit of the Single Member System

1. It enables the voters to remain in touch with the candidates and representatives.
2. It is more economical and simple.
3. It has the advantages of responsibilities and stability.
4. It encourages local talent.

Disadvantages of the Single Member System

1. IT unduly favors government candidates
2. It encourage localism in politics
3. It narrows the range of choice of candidates
4. It necessitates constant readjustment of electoral areas.
5. It encourage gerrymandering.
6. It distorts the whole representation system by establishing minority government

Methods of Election.
Direct Election.

In direct election the voters cast their votes for or against the various candidates. This method
has found favors in all democratic States, especially for the election of the popular Lower House
of the legislatures.
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Merit of direct Election.

1. It stimulates political interest among voters
2. It broader the mental horizon of the people.
3. It secures effective control of the government by the electorate.
4. It is less exposed to corruption.

Disadvantage of Direct Election.

1. It places power in the hand of ignorant masses.

2. Passion and propaganda dominate direct elections.

Indirect Election.

It is comparatively more complicated. The voters do not elect their representative. They elect
only a number of persons, called electors who constitute what is called an electron college as
an intermediary body. These electors then in their turn choose the representative finally .Thus
an indirect election involves double election; first a general election by the whole electorate
and then a limited election by the small body of electors, who finally elect the representative.
This method is not so common. It is usually favored for the election of the second chamber or
the Upper House, especiaily of the Federal states.

Merit of Indirect Election

1. It is free from the gusts of popular passion

2. The representative is elected by the men of ability and intelligence.
3. It ensure cool consideration of political issues

Defects of Indirect Election

1. It kills popular interest in the election and politics

2. It is out of harmony with the spirit of modern democracy
3. It breeds intrigue and corruption.
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