On August 15,1947, India got freedom from the British rule and adopted the parliamentary model of democracy. Democracy, where the sovereign power rests with the hands of common people and it is practiced through their elected representatives. The success of a democracy depends upon free and fair elections. The periodic elections are essential for the affirmation of popular sovereignty in a democracy (Ruparelia, 2005,p.2407).
In democratic countries, people enjoy the right to vote. Voting comprises as the most important forms of political participation, can be secret or open, direct or indirect, compulsory or optional, in person or by post. Indian constitution has made statutory provisions for the free and fair exercise of Right to Vote. An elected government is not only responsible for preserving and protecting their rights but also to create a healthy environment for their overall development. Therefore, voting is of much importance, as it provides some signs of the political trends emerging in the society and the general view-point of the people for the socio-economic changes started by government.
Political parties are the lifeline of a democratic system. These are not only the important agents of political socialization but also their growth and functioning is rather a bench-mark of political modernization. In a democracy, political parties mobile the masses in the political process and this discharge a significant function. The competition and struggle among parties to outclass the other in elections promote not only a meaningful participation of the people, but also different ideas of policy and leadership(Prasad,2004,pp.103- 104).
Key words: democracy, government
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