In this article you will learn about the Types of Voting in Political Science.
Voting
When the people i.e. electorate or voters exercise their right to vote, the process is called voting. Every democratic state maintains a list (register) of voters (Electoral rolls). These lists are periodically revised by adding the new eligible voters and by striking out the names of voters who are no longer alive or who have left the concerned constituency. Whenever elections are to be held, a poll calendar is prepared in advance. The government or the election department or the election commission fixes the period during which nomination papers of the contesting candidates are to be filed, the days during which scrutiny of the nomination papers, (which means withdrawal from the contest), the election campaign period, the date and time of polling, and the dates for the counting of votes and declaration of results. Prior to the holding of actual polling of votes elaborate arrangements - establishment of polling stations, appointment of polling staff, assignment of security staff and other such arrangements are completed. All this goes by the name voting and the exercise is held under the supervision, direction and control of a statutory body.
In simple words voting means the actual exercise of the right to vote by the voters on an appointed day and time.
Voting is one of the crore processes of the election system. Voting is done by the voters for determining as to which party shall make laws and exercise political power for the coming few years (5 years or 4 years). Voting is the means for expressing the will of the people as well as their support or opposition to the policies and programmes of political parties.
Types of Voting
We can identify several types/forms of voting.
1. Single Vote System : In this system each voter has one vote. No one can exercise more than one vote. This is a very popular system. It is based upon the principle of equality. It is considered fully democratic.
2. Plural Vote System : In this system while each eligible voter can exercise one vote, some voters who have some special qualifications can cast two or more votes. When one voter has the right to cast two or more votes, the system is called plural vote system. For example, in India each voter has one vote but in the elections for the upper house of a State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad), Teachers, Graduates, and members of local government institutions have been given additional votes. On the whole, however, the Indian constitution provides for a single vote system and not plural vote system. The latter is regarded as undemocratic and hence is used only for certain special elections.
3. Open Voting : When the voters are called upon to vote openly without any secrecy, the system is called an open voting system. It is, however, not considered useful because it can put pressure on the voters and enable some candidates to unduly influence voter’s choice.
4. Secret Voting : It is also known as secret ballot. In this system the voter votes in secrecy. No one knows as to for whom a voter has voted. Secrecy of voting is ensured in every democratic system. It is considered an ideal system.
This article on Types of Voting in Political Science is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.