The word Satya (Truth) is derived from Sat, which means ‘being’. Nothing is or exists in reality except Truth. That is why Sat or Truth is perhaps the most important name of God. In fact it is more correct to say that Truth is God, than to say that God is Truth. 

Some of the salient features of the Indian electoral system are as follows: 

(i) India has been divided into single member territorial constituencies. 

There used to be double member constituencies initially but these are abolished. There are some reserved constituen­cies. They are also single member constituencies. 

(ii) Constituencies are delimited with the help of a Delimitation Commission which is appointed after the census that takes place after every ten years. The result of the revision of constituen­cies is that the areas change from election to election. For example, some part of West Delhi became part of South Delhi Constituency in 1980 election. 

(iii) There was a practice that the election for the Parliament and State Assemblies were held simultaneously. There used to be one general election. However, in 1971, elections to the Parlia­ment were delinked from elections to the State Assemblies. The change had tremendous effect. 

This has changed the voting behaviour of the people. Earlier the voting behaviour used to be the same at the Centre and the State. It is not necessary for the people to have the same voting behaviour in the State Assembly election as it was at the time of general election of Parliament. 

(iv) Unlike U.S.A., in India any one nominated by the political party or even an independent candi­date may contest the election. It is true that political parties scrutinize the candidates carefully but not like the system established in U.S.A. 

In United States, there is system of double election. Any person who expresses desire to contest the election first, he has to contest election within his own party and then he faces general election. 

(v) India has abolished restricted franchise system adopted by the British, such as, property quali­fications. India has adopted Universal Adult Franchise System. All citizens of 18 years of age are given right to vote irrespective of any consideration of caste, colour, creed, sex, religion or place of birth. 

(vi) Elections are determined on the basis of relative majority of valid votes polled. There is no provision for absolute majority. Sometimes, a candidate who secures even 20% to 30% of the votes is declared elected. 

It is described as ‘First past the post system’. The idea is that the horse which reaches the winning post, first of all, is the winner even if he is ahead of the second candidate only by hair-breadth. 

(vii) Elected candidates may face election petition as well. The People’s Representation Act pre­scribes minimum standards. If a candidate has violated any of the prescribed standards, he has to face a petition in the court. If court finds that he has violated any of the rules, he is debarred from remaining the member and contesting election for the next six years. 

(viii) Every elected member has to take an oath. They participate in the deliberations. They remain there for the whole of tenure till the House is dissolved. There is no system of recall. 

Features of Pressure Groups 

In the socialist political system, the existence of Pressure groups is unnecessary. Such a political system has the necessary measures to protect the interests of all sections of society. The characteristics and functions of the pressure groups refer to the functions and characteristics of the pressure- groups in the liberal democratic system. 

The following are particularly significant in the many functions and features of the Pressure groups- 

1. It plays a vital role in establishing public relations with the government. Through all these groups, the people’s scarcity and grievances and demands are brought to the notice of the government. In this regard, the government is eager to resolve those shortcomings and meet the demands. 

2. It keeps a close watch on the activities of the government. Any disruption to the government’s decisions and actions, it comes to the attention of the groups and the campaign is widely publicized. The countrymen get the opportunity to be fully informed about the error of the government. 

3. Pressure groups seek to gain widespread public support in favor of group interests and influence the government. For this purpose, groups collect information and news on various topics of their own interest. 

4. Pressure groups play a vital role in political socialization. Presently, each pressure group is governed and controlled by the sponsorship of any one political party. Opportunities and possibilities are created to transmit certain types of political values within the masses. 

5. Articulation and integration of different interests is another feature of pressure groups. It represents the interests of different parts of society. The interests of the people belonging to different livelihoods are expressed through these groups. 

6. Pressure groups are always careful about government decisions, policies, and laws. This is because the main goal of all these groups is to influence the government as much as possible to bring government decisions and laws in favor of the group. 

Through pressure groups, the authorities of the governing department and the law department can discern the nature of public opinion on a particular issue and are governed accordingly. Thus, the democratic appearance of the government remains characteristic.