Differentiate by-elections from normal elections. How does the procedure of election followed in a country affects its political stability?

By-election is an election held in a single political constituency. Its objective is to fill a vacancy. The vacancy may be due to death, expiration of terms of office or any other reason. Recently two Rajya Sabha seats fell vacant because two leaders namely Amit Shah and Smriti Irani got elected to Lok Sabha.�A member elected in a by-election remains member for the remainder of the term of the member who had resigned or died or disqualified to be member of the House under the Tenth Schedule.
Bypoll / byelection Vs. Normal election�

  • Vacancies for�by-election are considered as separate vacancies and separate notificationsare issued and�separate poll is taken for each of the vacancies
  • They are conducted for separate constituencies not for the whole country
  • These elections are in accordance with provisions of Section 147 to 151 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and has been a consistent practice of the Commission in such cases
  • In a separate ballot paper system, as is to be done this time, there is only one candidate from a party, so the issue of marking preference does not arise
  • These elections does not have any fixed time interval after which they will be held

Elections are the life line of any democracy. The stability and procedure of electoral processes determines the fate of the nation. By-elections are a necessary for restoring stability. These elections occur between regularly scheduled elections and give people the opportunity to redeem their situation. By-elections have become a commonality in India, partly because of the misuse of provision of a law under the Representation of the People Act that allows a candidate to contest elections from two constituencies.

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