After independence, India became a federal, democratic republic with the enforcement of the Constitution of India on 26th January 1950. The first general elections in India were held in 1951 for 489 constituencies, which recorded a turnout of over sixty percent. Since then election have been held at regular intervals in accordance the provisions of the Constitution and Electoral Laws and it has played a significant function in the process of ensuring democracy to every citizen of India. Currently, the Electorate figures in India accounts for more than 670 million people and the Election process requires a huge expenditure on the part of the government. Consequently, the election process is held in several phases. Under the provisions of the constitution, the Election Commission of India has been vested with the superintendence, direction and control of the entire process of elections to Parliament and Legislature of every State and to the offices of President and Vice-President of India. Apart from issuing various instructions from time to time, the ECI has formulated a model Code of Conduct for the guidance of political parties and candidates. There are numerous laws which regulate the process of election in India, such as, The Representation of People Act, Indian Penal Code, The Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, etc.
