Handbook of general elections and electoral reforms in India (1952-1999)

The golden jubilee year of Indian Republic the time to explore whether due to frequent elections at the regional and national level, parliamentary democracy India is still viable or we should embark on any other political system? How regionalism has gained momentum in Indian politics and what has been trend in 13th general elections and February 2000 Assembly polls Bihar, Orissa, Manipur and Haryana? How far the Election Commission has been successful in holding free and fair elections? This Handbook seeks explanation of all such issues. The book, encyclopaedic in nature, is

divided into five sections. Section in chapters, reviews the functioning of democracy in India, the circumstances leading to the coalition era and complexity in governance. A separate chapter explains the entire gamut of electoral law, as amended from time to time, the role of Election Commission conducting free and fair polls and steps taken by the successive Election Commissioners towards electoral reforms. Section II, in 32 chapters, highlights the situation in each State and Union Territory, electoral politics and the verdict based on local factors. Section III, in 3 chapters, highlights the performance of political parties and groups as well as their leaders. Section IV, in 2 chapters, explains the techniques adopted by the various political parties in electioneering and the role of electronic media and film stars. Section V provides appendices containing an analysis of election and of various political parties during the 13 general elections including latest information of members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and also of the New Government. An exhaustive appended to the book helps reader to facilitate easy location of personalities involved in political developments in India This is virtually a handbook of information for political parties and a useful book for political scientists, Joachers and of political science and as modem indian history.