How Elections Work in India
Elections to Parliament, State Legislatures and the offices of President and Vice President are run by the independent Election Commission of India under Article 324 of the Constitution. Panchayat and municipal elections are run by State Election Commissions.
Types of Elections
| Election | Who votes | System | Seats | Term | Min. age | Conducted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lok Sabha | All registered voters (18+) | First-past-the-post | 543 | 5 years | 25 | ECI |
| State Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) | All registered voters in the state | First-past-the-post | 4,123 | 5 years | 25 | ECI |
| Rajya Sabha | Elected MLAs | Proportional representation (STV), open ballot | 233 + 12 nominated | 6 years | 30 | ECI |
| Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) | MLAs, local bodies, graduates, teachers; some nominated | STV | 426 | 6 years | 30 | ECI |
| President | Elected MPs + elected MLAs (weighted votes) | STV, secret ballot | 1 | 5 years | 35 | ECI |
| Vice President | All MPs (both Houses) | STV, secret ballot | 1 | 5 years | 35 | ECI |
| Panchayats & Municipalities | Local voters | First-past-the-post | ~31 lakh reps | 5 years | 21 | State Election Commissions |
The Election Process, Step by Step
1. Delimitation & electoral rolls
Constituency boundaries are fixed by the Delimitation Commission. Electoral rolls are revised every year with 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October as qualifying dates.2. Announcement & Model Code of Conduct
The ECI announces the schedule at a press conference. The Model Code of Conduct comes into force immediately: governments cannot announce new schemes, and ministers cannot use official machinery for campaigning.3. Notification
The President (Lok Sabha) or Governor (Assembly) issues the formal notification; nominations open.4. Nominations & scrutiny
Candidates file nomination papers with an affidavit declaring criminal cases, assets, liabilities and education. Papers are scrutinised; candidates may withdraw within 2 days.5. Campaign
Campaigning ends 48 hours before polling closes (the "silence period"). Spending is capped at ₹95 lakh per Lok Sabha candidate and ₹40 lakh per Assembly candidate in larger states (₹75 lakh / ₹28 lakh in smaller states and UTs).6. Polling day
Voters identify themselves, get indelible ink on the left forefinger and vote on the EVM. The VVPAT shows a paper slip for 7 seconds to confirm the vote. Polling stations are set up so no voter has to travel more than 2 km.7. Counting & results
Postal ballots are counted first, then EVMs round by round, followed by mandatory VVPAT slip matching for 5 randomly chosen polling stations per Assembly segment. The Returning Officer declares the winner.8. Government formation
The President/Governor invites the leader who commands a majority to form the government; the majority may be tested on the floor of the House.EVM & VVPAT
An EVM has a Ballot Unit (where the voter presses the button) and a Control Unit (with the polling officer). It runs on a battery, is not connected to any network, and records up to 2,000 votes. The VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) prints a slip showing the serial number, name and symbol of the chosen candidate.
NOTA (None of the Above) is the last button on every EVM since 2013. NOTA votes are counted but do not affect the result.
The Election Commission
A Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners, appointed by the President on the recommendation of a selection committee (PM, a Union Minister and the Leader of the Opposition) under the 2023 Act. The CEC can be removed only like a Supreme Court judge.
Current CEC: Gyanesh Kumar (since February 2025).
Key Numbers (2024)
- Electors
- 96.8 crore
- Women electors
- ~47.1 crore
- Polling stations
- 10.5 lakh+
- Polling staff
- ~1.5 crore
- EVMs (ballot units)
- ~55 lakh
- Candidates
- 8,360
- Votes cast
- 64.2 crore
Voter Guide
Am I eligible?
Any Indian citizen aged 18 or above on a qualifying date, ordinarily resident in a constituency, and not disqualified by law. You can apply in advance from age 17.
How to register
- Visit voters.eci.gov.in or use the Voter Helpline app.
- Fill Form 6 (new voter). Use Form 6A for overseas electors, Form 7 for deletion, Form 8 for corrections or address change.
- Upload a photo, proof of age and proof of address.
- A Booth Level Officer (BLO) verifies the details; your EPIC (voter ID) is issued — an e-EPIC can be downloaded.
On polling day
Check your name and booth on the electoral roll. Carry your EPIC or any one of the ECI-approved alternative photo IDs (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence, PAN card, MGNREGA job card, bank/post office passbook with photo, etc.). Mobile phones are not allowed inside the booth.