Highlight the salient features of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. (150 Words)
Answer
Article 327 of the Indian constitution empowers parliament to enact laws for conduct of elections. In this regard it has enacted Representation of the Peoples Act, 1950 and 1951.
Salient features of Representation of the People Act, 1950:
- Qualification of voters.
- Allocation of seats in the house of people and state legislatures.
- Reservation of seats in the house of people and state legislatures for Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes.
- Power of Election Commission to carry out changes in delimitation order.
- Delimitation of constituencies for Legislative councils.
Salient features of Representation of the People Act 1951:
- Qualifications for the membership of the Parliament and Legislatures.
- Disqualification on conviction for certain offences.
- Notification for conduct of elections.
- Allocation of election duties to various officials.
- Registration of political parties.
- Donations to the political parties.
The framework provided under the above two acts enable conduct of free and fair elections, which is vital for effective functioning of Indian democracy.