(i) India is a socialist, secular democratic, republic and the largest democracy in the world.
(ii) The electoral system in India has been adapted from the system followed in the United Kingdom.
(iii) Indian constitution provides for an Independent Election Commission in order to ensure free and fair election in the country.
(iv) It consists of a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.

Merits:
(i) In a huge population country all the people can be represented by multiple parties.
(ii) Particular groups can form their own parties.
(iii) People will have multiple options to vote.
Demerits:
(i) Votes will be scattered.
(ii) It will develop groupism.
(iii) When there is absolute majority there will be coalition government.

(i) Democracy is a government of the people by the people and for the people.
(ii) To select a leader of people's choice we should have elections.
(iii) The representatives elected by the people can elect a suitable leader to rule the country.

Mobilising people towards socially productive activities that lead to the overall betterment of people's lives is essential. Sometimes earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and other such natural disasters on a massive scale occur and people's immediate mobilisation for evacuation and emergency relief becomes most essential.
Democratic Participation: Democracy can succeed only when smaller local groups and, in fact, every citizen can take action that supports the tax and revenue collection systems, observance of national norms in environmental protection, cleanliness, health and hygiene, sanitary drives and immunisation programmes like pulse polio. However, we must keep in mind that there is no better form of government than Democratic government. To create a better society and nation, the people of India along with the union and state governments should come together to fight against the miseries of human life.

(i) Pressure groups are the interest groups that work to secure certain interest by influencing the public policy
(ii) They are non-aligned with any other party.
(iii) They work as an indirect yet powerful group to influence the policy decisions.
(iv) They support through activities such as petitions, marches, demonstrations and other forms of political protest.
(v) It comments on government policy and using high profile academics, scientists and even celebrities to get their views across with an emphasis to cultivate expert authority.
(vi) Many pressure groups are vital sources of information and render advice to the government.
(vii) They are regularly consulted in the process of policy formulation.

Merits:
(i) As the voters elect their representatives directly, direct elections are considered to be a more democratic method of election.
(ii) It educates people regarding the government activities and helps in choosing the appropriate candidates. Also, it encourages people to play an active role in politics.
(iii) It empowers people and makes the rulers accountable for their actions.
Demerits:
(i) Direct elections are very expensive.
(ii) Illiterate voters sometimes get misguided by false propaganda and sometimes campaigning based on caste, religious and various other sectarian consideration pose serious challenges.
(iii) Since conducting direct elections is a massive exercise, ensuring free and fair elections at every polling station is a major challenge to the Election Commission.
(iv) There are instances of some political candidates influencing the voters through payments in the form of cash, goods or services.
(v) Election campaigns sometimes results in violence, tension, law and order problems and affects the day-to-day life of people.

Other than the seven national parties, most of the major parties of the country are classified by the Election Commission as 'state parties'. These are commonly referred to as regional parties. A party is recognised as a state party by the Election Commission of India based on certain percentage of votes secured or a certain number of seats won in the Assembly or Lok Sabha elections.

(i) Voters Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is the way forward to enhance credibility and transparency of the election process.
(ii) This system was first introduced in 2014 General election.