System of Elections to Lok Sabha (1)

Territorial Constituencies

• Each state is divided into territorial constituencies for direct elections to the Lok Sabha.

• The Constitution ensures uniform representation:
➤ Ratio of seats to population should be consistent across all states (excluding states with population under six million).
➤ Each state's constituencies must have similar population-to-seat ratios.

Readjustment After Each Census

• After each census, adjustments should be made in:
➤ Allocation of seats to states in the Lok Sabha.
➤ Division of states into territorial constituencies.

• The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 froze seat allocation and constituency division at 1971 levels until 2000.

• The 84th Amendment Act of 2001 extended the freeze to 2026 to support population control measures.

Reservation of Seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

• Article 330 - Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) based on population ratios.

• Originally intended to last until 1960, reservation has been extended every 10 years Now, under the 104th Amendment Act of 2019, this reservation is to last until 2030.

• SCs and STs contest in general elections; voters of all backgrounds vote in reserved constituencies.

• SC and ST members can also contest non-reserved seats.

First-Past-The-Post System

• The Lok Sabha elections use the territorial representation system (first-past-the-post or FPTP).

• In FPTP, the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins the seat.

Proportional Representation

• Proportional representation is used in Rajya Sabha, state legislative councils, and for electing the President and Vice-President.

• It ensures all population sections receive representation in proportion to their size.

• India uses the single transferable vote (STV) system for elections with proportional representation.