Question

challenges to free and fair election

Answer 1

A few candidates may win purely on the basis of money power and unfair means. But the overallverdict of a general election still reflects popular preference. There are very few exceptions to thisrule in the last fifty years in our country.
Candidates and parties with a lot of money may not be sure of their victory but they do enjoy a bigand unfair advantage over smaller parties and independents.
In some parts of the country, candidates with criminal connection have been able to push others outof the electoral race and to secure a ‘ticket’ from major parties.
Some families tend to dominate political parties; tickets are distributed to relatives from thesefamilies. It is known as dynastic succession in politics.
Very often elections offer little choice to ordinary citizens, for both the major parties are quitesimilar to each other both in policies and practice. Smaller parties and independent candidates suffer a huge disadvan
tage compared to biggerparties. They got less number of workers and less amount of money.

Answer 2

Answer:

The challenges to free and fair elections in India include:

(i) Money power of candidates and political parties

(ii) Criminal elements entering the political fray

(iii) Family politics

(iv) Similarity of parties in policies and practice

(v) Disadvantages of smaller parties and independent candidates.

Hope it helps you :)