Comparing Elections: US and India
As the US presidential election approaches on November 5, 2024, many in India are curious about the differences between the electoral systems of the two countries. India has a centralized system managed by the Election Commission of India, while the US uses a decentralized approach with states overseeing elections. This article explores the unique features, challenges, and lessons each country can learn from the other.
Electoral Frameworks
India’s elections are governed by the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951, with the Election Commission of India overseeing the process. In contrast, the US has no central body; elections are managed by over 10,000 local units. The Federal Election Commission in the US has limited power, focusing mainly on campaign finance.
Voting Methods
India uses the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, while the US varies by state. Some states use ranked-choice voting, allowing voters to rank candidates by preference. The US also uses the Electoral College, a system that can override the popular vote, leading to debates about its fairness.
Electoral College
The US Electoral College consists of 538 electors. It can result in a president winning without the popular vote, as seen in the 2016 election. This system favors smaller states and has been a point of contention, with many Americans favoring a shift to a popular vote system.
Vote Counting
Vote counting in the US is often delayed due to paper ballots and mail-in votes. In contrast, India uses electronic voting machines, allowing for quicker results. The integrity of election results is crucial for democracy, and both countries can learn from each other’s practices.
Doubts Revealed
Donald Trump -: Donald Trump is a businessman and politician who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
Kamala Harris -: Kamala Harris is the Vice President of the United States, serving since 2021. She is the first female Vice President and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history.
US-India Electoral Systems -: The US and India have different ways of conducting elections. In India, the Election Commission manages elections centrally, while in the US, each state has its own rules and methods.
Election Commission -: The Election Commission of India is an independent authority responsible for administering election processes in India at both the national and state levels.
Decentralized approach -: In the US, each state has its own rules and systems for conducting elections, which means there is no single national system.
First-past-the-post -: This is a voting method where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they don’t have more than half of the total votes.
Ranked-choice voting -: In this method, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate gets a majority, the one with the fewest votes is eliminated, and votes are redistributed until someone wins.
Electoral College -: In the US, the President is not elected directly by the people. Instead, a group called the Electoral College makes the final decision, which can sometimes differ from the popular vote.
Paper ballots -: These are physical pieces of paper where voters mark their choices. Counting them can take time, which is why US election results can be slower.
Electronic machines -: In India, electronic voting machines (EVMs) are used to quickly and accurately count votes, speeding up the election result process.