Record 64.66% turnout in Bihar phase 1 polls
About Election Polls in India:
Constitutional Basis:
oArticle 324: Empowers the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct free and fair elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President.
oEnsures superintendence, direction, and control over the entire electoral process.
Types of Elections:
oGeneral Elections: For Lok Sabha (national) and State Legislative Assemblies.
oBy-elections: Held to fill vacancies between general elections.
oPresidential and Vice-Presidential Elections: Indirect elections by an Electoral College.
Election Process:
oAnnouncement & Schedule: ECI fixes dates for elections.
oNomination of Candidates: Filing of nomination papers and scrutiny.
oCampaigning: Subject to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
oPolling: Done via Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) or ballot papers.
oCounting and Result Declaration: Votes are counted and winners announced.
Electoral Reforms & Technology:
oVoter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) ensures transparency.
oDigital initiatives: Online voter registration, mobile apps, and awareness campaigns.
oMeasures to reduce electoral malpractices like proxy voting, booth capturing, and misuse of money power.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
