Electoral Process in the USA and India

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​The origin of USA dates back to 1776, when the thirteen British Colonies declared their independence from Britain. USA is a federal government, a form of representative democracy comprising a union of 50 states 

​The adopted a new constitution in 1787 and has the following features.

• It is Federal in nature. 
• A written constitution. 
• Bill of rights is contained in it. 
• The Supreme Court can only interpret it. 
• Legislature is Bicameral i.e. the senate & the House of Representatives forming the congress/two houses.
• It caters for the separation of powers. 
• Does not provide for secession of a member state. 
• Federal government and individual states share power through their senators in congress i.e. in making laws.
• The president is the head of the federal government and governors are heads of state. 
• It is the supreme law of the land. 
• Amendment can only be done through a clearly laid down procedure.

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The electoral process in USA

​​There are three types of election held in USA.

• The election of the president.
• Congressional elections 
• The state election involving election of state governors and state legislatures. 

All candidates vying for various seats must be American citizens and must be residents in the area they aspire to represent Age limit is 25 years for the representatives and 35 years for the president. During the election year party primaries are held between March and May to choose presidential candidates. 

Party conventions are held in July to confirm winners of the primary elections. Each presidential candidate picks a running mate who becomes the vice president if the presidential candidate wins. Presidential elections are held after every 4 years (on 2nd November). The election of the president is determined indirectly by the Electoral College that comprises electors appointed by each state. 

When a presidential candidate wins the popular vote in a state, he automatically wins all the State’s electors. Direct elections are done through popular vote of one man one vote.  

Senators and members of the House of Representatives are elected after every two years. Senators serve for a period of six years with a third of them elected after every 2 years. Members of the House of Representatives serve for four years and are elected on party basis. Each state elects 2 representatives to the senate making a total of 100 senators for the 50 states.  
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Election of House of Representatives is on the basis of state population. For example, the largest state, California has 52 representatives while Wyoming, the smallest has only one representative. State governors and legislators are elected after every 4 years.

​Features of the US system of government. 

• The federal government is made up of the legislature, executive and the judiciary.
• Each state within the federal government functions as a republic and enjoys equal status. 
• The federal government and independent states share the power of formulating and enforcing laws. 
• All states have their constitutions but they should not be contradicting to the Federal Constitution.
• The Supreme Court interprets the constitution. 
• The congress (Senate and the House of Representatives) is the body entrusted with legislative powers. 
• Senate membership is through popular vote of two members from each state for a period of six years. 
• The House of Representatives members are elected for a period of two years based on the size of the population. However, each state has to have at least one representative.
• All treaties and appointments by the president have to be ratified by the senate. 
• Presidential vote must be supported by two thirds of the votes of the house. 
• The Supreme Court made up of the chief justice and eight associate judges heads federal judiciary.
• The president appoints federal judges with the approval of the senate. 
• Courts in the judiciary include the court of appeal, the district courts and other special courts, all formed by the congress. 
• All criminal cases are handled in the courts except the cases of impeachment, which are voted by the house with the approval of the senate.
• Foreign policy and Defence is the preserve of the Federal Government. 

Features of the state governments of U.S.A. 

• Each state has a governor.
• Each state has a law court those carters for internal affairs. 
• Each state provides educational, health facilities and public amenities for the welfare of the residents.
• Each state is responsible for its own development. 
• Each state generates its own revenue necessary for discharging its responsibility.
• Each state has a state police that maintains law and order.   

Limitations of state governments in USA. 

• No state is permitted to enter any treaty, alliance or confederation with other states or countries.
• No state may make her own currency. 
• States are forbidden, unless congress approves, to levy duties on imports or exports. 
• States are prohibited from maintaining armed forces. 
• States are prohibited from entering into any agreement with foreign powers or engaging in war.

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​​How the conduct of USA president is checked 

• The senate approves presidential appointees to executive positions. 
• Congress can refuse to approve the use of government funds for a foreign policy it disagrees with. E.g. war.
• The congress can impeach a sitting president if his conduct while in office is wanting. 
• The Supreme Court has powers to declare that the president has acted unconstitutionally, a verdict which can damage his status.
• Any president is limited by the constitution to two four-year terms in office. 
• Opinion polls normally reflect the wishes and feelings of the American people, which the sitting president cannot ignore. 
• The mass media monitors and reports to the general public every action or speech of the president.  

​Functions of the political parties in USA’

• Make electoral policies coherent. 
• The party level helps voters to sort out through the candidates as parties usually stand for different policies.
• Parties help to put the desire of the people on the government policy agenda. 
• Parties provide outlets for citizens to express their sentiments about nominees. 
• Political party system provides accountability when the policies of the party fails/ voters hold candidates accountable.

​​Differences existing between the House of Representatives and the senate in terms of membership. 

• The house of representatives is larger with more than 436 members whereas the senate has only 100 members. 
• The house of representatives has short period of office (2 years) but the senate is on for a long period of office (6 years) 
• Members of the House of Representatives at the elected by constituencies whereas the senate is elected by the stated 
• Easier qualification for candidates for membership to the House of Representatives. The senate demands stricter qualifications.
• The house of representatives is less prestigious than the senate. 
• Rules of the House of Representatives are more rigid than the rules governing the senate. 

​Functions of the USA president.

1. He appoints cabinet ministers and senior civil servants with approval of the congress.
2. He is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
3. He is the head of the federal government of USA and the defender of of its constitution.
4. The president formulates the public policy.
5. He can veto or override bills passed by the congress.
6. As a head of the party in power, the president influences public opinion and thereby guides the course of the congress.
7. He guides and controls foreign affairs and makes treaties.

Electoral Process in the India

​Describe the Indian electoral process.

• India’s parliament is composed of the Lower Chamber or House of The People (lok Sabha) and the Upper House or the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).
• The term of lok sabha is five years while that of rajya sabha is six years.
• Lok sabha consists of 545 elected members, 543 elected from each constituency created based on population size. The president nominates two.
• Political parties field candidates in each constituency.
• India’s universal adult suffrage is 18 years. Qualification age for vying is 25 years and above.
• The election commission, a constitution arm of the Indian electoral process oversees the elections.
• Candidates are required to declare their assets, age, educational qualifications and criminal history before being cleared to vie.
• Campaigning ends a day before the voting day. Government schools and colleges are chosen to be polling stations. Government servants are employed to man the polling stations.
• There is the use of electronic voting machines instead of ballot boxes.
• The candidate who gunners the most number of votes is declared the winner of the The party or coalition that has won the most number of seats is invited by the president to form the new government. The leader of the party becomes the prime minister.
• Rayja sabha consists of 250 members; the electoral college of India elects 248. The president nominates twelve members from among distinguished people.
• Every state is allotted a certain number of members.
• Candidate age limit is 30 years and above.

​Functions of a prime minister in India.

• He is the head of the federal government 
• He is the leader of the house to which he belongs. (he can be either a member of the rajya sabha (upper house) or lok sabha. 
• As head of the council of ministers, the prime minister oversees the work o all the ministries. 
• Chairs cabinet meetings, which are normally held in the cabinet room of the prime minister's’ office.
• Guides the president on appointment to the cabinet.
• Participates in the lawmaking process as a member of the lok sabha.
• The prime minister has traditionally been the minister-in-charge of the department of space, atomic energy and the ministry of personnel, public governance and pensions
• Recommends persons for presidential awards. 

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​Functions of the Electoral Commission of India.

• Prepares electoral registers 
• Setting dates for polling. 
• Establishing and operating polling station. 
• Allocation party symbols. 
• Publishing electoral report.
• Accepting or rejecting nominations as per the law. 
• Counting the votes.
• Drawing constituency boundary. 

​What conditions must one fulfill to be elected president in India

• He/she must be a citizen of India. 
• He/she must have attained the age of 35 and above. 
• He/she should not hold any office. 
• He/she should be qualified to be elected as a member of the house of the people. (the lok sabha)

​Functions of the cabinet in the government of India. 

• Formulation of policy issues affecting the management of the government of India.
• Defends the government policy. 
• Ensures that the civil servants implement government policy. 
• Advises the president.
• Gives approval to the budget and estimates of the expenditure. 
• The cabinet exercises general direction and control of government departments.

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