The voting system in India is known as the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, also referred to as a Plurality Voting system. Under this system, each constituency elects one representative, and the candidate who receives the highest number of votes is declared the winner.
Here's a brief overview of how the FPTP system works in India:
Constituencies: India is divided into numerous geographical areas called constituencies, and each constituency represents a specific region or group of people.
Candidates: Multiple candidates from various political parties or running as independents can contest in each constituency. They campaign and seek votes from the electorate.
Voting: On the designated election day, eligible voters visit their respective polling stations and cast their vote for their preferred candidate by marking an 'X' or any other symbol provided on the ballot paper next to the candidate's name. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are widely used for voting in India.
Counting of Votes: After the voting process is complete, the votes are counted for each candidate in the constituency.
Winner Determination: The candidate who secures the highest number of votes, irrespective of the percentage, is declared the winner of that constituency. There is no requirement for an absolute majority (50% + 1 vote); the candidate with the most votes wins.
Representation: The winning candidate becomes the Member of Parliament (MP) and represents the respective constituency in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the Indian Parliament).
It's worth noting that the FPTP system has been subject to various debates and discussions, with some proponents advocating for alternative voting systems like Proportional Representation (PR) to ensure better representation of diverse opinions. However, as of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, India continues to use the FPTP system for its general elections.
