Score:
5.5/10
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Topper’s Copy
GS2
Indian Polity
10 marks
Discuss the distinction between the ‘right to vote’ and the ‘freedom of voting’ in the context of the Supreme Court’s observations on uncontested elections and the NOTA option.
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Distinguish between 'right to vote' and 'freedom of voting'
- Analyze Supreme Court's observations on uncontested elections
- Examine NOTA option in this context
- Connect these concepts to electoral jurisprudence
What you wrote:
The distinction between the 'right to vote' and the 'freedom of voting' is crucial in India's electoral jurisprudence, especially in the context of NOTA (None of the Above) and uncontested elections.
The distinction between the 'right to vote' and the 'freedom of voting' is crucial in India's electoral jurisprudence, especially in the context of NOTA (None of the Above) and uncontested elections.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by briefly mentioning the specific Supreme Court case or petition being examined, which would provide more precise legal context.
What you wrote:
Right to Vote vs. Freedom of Voting
→ Right to Vote (Statutory Right) -
⇒ It is generally treated as a statutory right.
⇒ It is derived from the Representation from the People Act, 1951.
⇒ This right allows a citizen to cast a ballot in a contested election.
→ Freedom of Voting (Fundamental Right)
⇒ The Supreme Court has interpreted the act of voting, including expressing a choice, as an extension of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. This includes the right to dissent, like choosing NOTA.
Right to Vote vs. Freedom of Voting
→ Right to Vote (Statutory Right) -
⇒ It is generally treated as a statutory right.
⇒ It is derived from the Representation from the People Act, 1951.
⇒ This right allows a citizen to cast a ballot in a contested election.
→ Freedom of Voting (Fundamental Right)
⇒ The Supreme Court has interpreted the act of voting, including expressing a choice, as an extension of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. This includes the right to dissent, like choosing NOTA.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could include landmark cases like People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India (2013) which established NOTA as expression of democratic choice
- Could mention Kuldip Nayar v. Union of India (2006) where SC recognized voting as expression under Article 19(1)(a)
What you wrote:
Context: Uncontested Elections and NOTA
→ The Centre argued that the freedom of voting, and by extension the NOTA option, applies only when polling actually occurs.
→ In an uncontested election, where only one candidate files a valid nomination, the candidate is declared elected without a poll.
→ This highlights the government's differentiation: since the statutory right to vote (casting a ballot) isn't exercised, the fundamental right to express a choice (freedom of voting/NOTA) is deemed non-applicable.
→ This distinction has significant implications for electoral choice, democratic participation, and the expression of dissent, as it effectively removes the option for voters to officially reject all candidates in uncontested scenarios.
Context: Uncontested Elections and NOTA
→ The Centre argued that the freedom of voting, and by extension the NOTA option, applies only when polling actually occurs.
→ In an uncontested election, where only one candidate files a valid nomination, the candidate is declared elected without a poll.
→ This highlights the government's differentiation: since the statutory right to vote (casting a ballot) isn't exercised, the fundamental right to express a choice (freedom of voting/NOTA) is deemed non-applicable.
→ This distinction has significant implications for electoral choice, democratic participation, and the expression of dissent, as it effectively removes the option for voters to officially reject all candidates in uncontested scenarios.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could elaborate on Section 53(2) of RPA 1951 which governs uncontested elections and current judicial challenge
- Could mention recent examples like Arunachal Pradesh's 6 uncontested seats in 2024 to illustrate practical implications
What you wrote:
The 'right to vote' is a statutory right under the Representation of People Act, 1951, while the 'Freedom of voting' is seen as Fundamental Right.
The 'right to vote' is a statutory right under the Representation of People Act, 1951, while the 'Freedom of voting' is seen as Fundamental Right.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could conclude with implications for democratic participation (e.g., whether denial of NOTA in uncontested elections undermines voter choice and democratic expression, as currently being examined by the Supreme Court).
Your answer demonstrates solid conceptual understanding of the legal distinction and electoral framework. The structure is clear and you've addressed most key demands, though adding specific judicial precedents and recent developments would strengthen the constitutional analysis significantly.
Demand of the Question
- Distinguish between 'right to vote' and 'freedom of voting'
- Analyze Supreme Court's observations on uncontested elections
- Examine NOTA option in this context
- Connect these concepts to electoral jurisprudence
What you wrote:
The distinction between the 'right to vote' and the 'freedom of voting' is crucial in India's electoral jurisprudence, especially in the context of NOTA (None of the Above) and uncontested elections.
The distinction between the 'right to vote' and the 'freedom of voting' is crucial in India's electoral jurisprudence, especially in the context of NOTA (None of the Above) and uncontested elections.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by briefly mentioning the specific Supreme Court case or petition being examined, which would provide more precise legal context.
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