Call for Papers| Seminar by University Institute of Legal Studies, Panjab University: Submit by Mar 15

About the UILS

University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) was established as a constituent department of Panjab University, in the academic session 2004-05.

During a short span of time, it has emerged as one of the premier legal Institutes with a unique blend of
tradition and modernity. The Moot Court Competitions, Client Counselling Sessions, Quiz Contests, Seminars, Group Discussions and Extension Lectures etc. are a regular feature of the academic calendar of the Institute.

About the Seminar

The International Seminar on “Right to Vote: Changing Contours of Democracy” is organized by UILS, Panjab University, Chandigarh on March 29, 2022.

Elections provide a way to the people to assert their voice, opinion and choose the person whose priorities and ideas matches with them most. Elections ensure that the will of the people is reflected in the elected candidates.

Elections in India are also a platform for the public to voice their resentment against a ruling party. Elections, being a regular exercise, occurring every five years in India, the ruling parties are kept in check and made to consider the demands of the public.

Participation in election process is one of the most important symbol and foundational concept of democracy. If people are allowed to participate in the political process, only then a political system can be described as a Democratic one and for participation voting right is the most effective way to participate in the governance of the nation.

When citizens collectively elect its representatives, it affirms the notion that they govern themselves by free choice. Therefore, it can be opined that the ‘Participation’ is a foundational virtue of democracy.

For years, India has witnessed the conduct of successful elections, peaceful changes of government at the Centre and in the States, people exercising freedom of expression, movement and religion along with the complaints about the motivated agendas for elections, immoral practices during the election campaigns, inequality in representation of certain communities/groups, injustice or non-fulfilment of expectations of various sections of society.

Recently, COVID-Pandemic has given an opportunity for exploring the technological innovations for the conduct of elections and it is yet to be speculated through the eyes of a law student. Social media also poses new challenges to voting patterns in India.

Sub Themes

Election Commission; Accountability and challenges
Evolution of Suffrage in India: History and Origin
Constitutional status of ‘Right to Vote’ in India
Shrinking the Public Morality in casting the vote
Democracy on ‘Sale’: Exploitation of voting rights
Right to negative voting
Caste and religion in Democracy
Challenges to Indian Democracy
Democratization and Inequality
Role of Judiciary and Election Commission in protecting the Democracy
Online Voting: Exploring the Possibilities through the Blockchain technology
Impact of Non-exercise of ‘right to vote’ on Indian Democracy
Voting Behaviour in India and Its Determinants
Factors influencing the voting preferences of citizens
Voting rights of LGBTQ, Prisoners

Any other theme surrounding the main theme of the seminar

Eligibility

Faculty Members/ Academicians/ProfessionalS/ Research Scholars/Students

Submission Procedure

Contributions are invited from the Academicians, researchers, advocates, research scholars and the students from law and social sciences background on the above mentioned theme.
Authors of selected abstracts shall be given an opportunity to present their paper during the conference. Registration form and Abstract is to be submitted.
To submit the form and abstract, Click here
Full research papers are to be submitted via mail on – [email protected].

Guidelines for Full Length Paper Submission