Can we have democracy without holding elections?
No, we cannot have democracy without holding elections. Elections have become a part and parcel of our democratic life. No one can imagine that a government would be formed without holding elections.
The regularity and periodicity of elections has earned fame for India as a great democratic experiment. This demonstrates that elections are fundamental to democracy, allowing citizens to choose their representatives legitimately.
However, while elections are necessary for democracy, not all elections are democratic. Non-democratic countries also hold elections, but they are conducted in a way that does not threaten the rulers' power. A truly democratic election must be free and fair, allowing voters' aspirations to find legitimate expression.
Explanation
The textbook clearly establishes that elections are inseparable from democracy. It states that 'elections have become a part and parcel of our democratic life' and that 'no one can imagine that a government would be formed without holding elections.' The regularity and periodicity of elections is what has made India's democratic experiment successful. However, the text also clarifies that merely holding elections doesn't make a country democratic - the elections must be free and fair, supervised properly, and genuinely reflect the voters' will.