Difference between Elections held in India and the US
The Indian and the US democracies are two of the largest democracies in the world. While the subcontinental system is just about 70 years old, the United States version has been in action for nearly 240 years.
These systems basically mean that the citizens of the respective nations have a major say over who comes into power and how they approach their policies. However, one of the most prominent part of these two democracies is that of the election systems they have in place.
In fact, one can safely say that except for the countries having a democracy, there's little to no similarities between their electoral systems. So, what are the major differences between the two systems? That's what we are here to tell you.Read on to find out.
Key Differences
The main differences between the two electoral systems are mentioned below:
Feature | India | United States of America |
Form of Government | Parliamentary Republic | Presidential Republic |
Head of State | President (Constitutional Head) | President (Also Head of Government) |
Head of Government | Prime Minister (Executive Head) | President |
Election of Leader | The leader of the party with a majority in the Lok Sabha becomes Prime Minister. | Citizens vote for electors who form the Electoral College, which then elects the President. |
Election Cycle | General elections are held at least every five years. Can be called earlier. | Presidential elections are held every four years on a fixed date. |
Electoral Body | A powerful, centralized Election Commission of India (ECI) manages all aspects of elections. | A decentralized system with federal bodies (FEC, EAC) and over 3,000 county-level authorities. |
Political Parties | A multi-party system with two major national parties and numerous regional parties. | A dominant two-party system (Democratic and Republican parties). |
Legislature | Bicameral Parliament: Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). | Bicameral Congress: House of Representatives and the Senate. |
Voter Registration | The government takes responsibility for registering eligible citizens, leading to high registration rates. | The onus is on the individual citizen to register, which can lead to lower registration numbers. |
Voting Method | Primarily uses Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). | A mix of methods, including electronic machines, paper ballots, and mail-in voting, varying by state. |
Election Terminology | An election to fill a vacant seat between general elections is called a by-poll. | An election to fill a vacant seat between general elections is called a special election. |
Comparison between India and US Elections
Structure of Government
The most significant difference lies in the form of government. India operates under a parliamentary system, where the executive (the government) is drawn from the legislature (the Parliament).
The party or coalition that wins a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha (the lower house) forms the government. The Prime Minister is the head of the government and holds executive power, while the President serves as the constitutional head of state with largely ceremonial duties.
In contrast, the United States has a presidential system, which enforces a stricter separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The President is both the head of state and the head of government and is elected independently of the legislature (Congress).
How Leaders are Elected
In India, citizens vote directly for candidates to represent their constituency in the Lok Sabha. The leader of the party that secures a majority of these seats is then invited by the President to become the Prime Minister.
In the United States, the election of the President is an indirect process. Citizens cast their votes for electors who are part of the Electoral College. These electors, in turn, vote for the presidential candidate. A candidate must win a majority of electoral votes to become President. This means a candidate can win the presidency without winning the popular vote.
Bodies that Run Elections
India's election process is managed by the highly centralized and powerful Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI is an autonomous constitutional body responsible for administering all election processes.
The US system is far more decentralized. While federal bodies like the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) exist, their roles are limited, primarily focusing on campaign finance and setting standards. The actual administration of elections is handled at the state and county level, leading to significant variation in rules and procedures across the country.
Voter Registration and Turnout
In India, the government ensures that most eligible citizens are automatically registered to vote, resulting in a very high registration rate (over 95% of eligible citizens). Voter turnout is also robust.
In the United States, the responsibility for voter registration falls on the individual. This can create barriers, and as a result, a significant portion of the eligible population is not registered to vote. While turnout among registered voters is high, the overall turnout of the eligible population is lower than in many other democracies.
FAQs on Difference between Elections held in India and the US
- What are the key differences between elections in India and the United States?
India follows a parliamentary system while the US follows a presidential system. The election process, voting methods, and frequency of elections also differ significantly.
- How is the voting system different in India and the US?
India uses Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with a First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system, while the US uses a combination of paper ballots and electronic systems with an Electoral College for presidential elections.
- Who is eligible to vote in India and the US?
Indian citizens aged 18 or older can vote. In the US, citizens aged 18 or older can vote, but registration rules vary by state.
- What is the role of election commissions in India and the US?
India has a centralized Election Commission. In the US, elections are managed by state and local election boards under the guidelines of the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
- How often are general elections held in India and the US?
India holds general elections every 5 years. In the US, presidential elections occur every 4 years, with congressional elections every 2 years.
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