Glossary — Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Centre for Ethics and Politics

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73rd Constitutional Amendment73-வது அரசியலமைப்புத் திருத்தம்: The 1992 change to the Constitution (in force from 1993) that made panchayats a formal third tier of government. It requires regular elections every five years, a State Election Commission, a State Finance Commission, and reserved seats for women and for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
74th Constitutional Amendment74-வது அரசியலமைப்புத் திருத்தம்: The 1992 change (in force from 1993) that gave the same constitutional footing to town and city governments — town panchayats, municipalities and corporations — with regular elections, reserved seats, and ward committees in larger cities.

A

Accountabilityபொறுப்புக்கூறல்: The duty of elected representatives and officials to explain and justify their decisions, and how they spent public money, to the people they serve — and to face consequences when they fall short.
Affidavitபிரமாணப் பத்திரம்: A written statement sworn before an authorised official. Every candidate files one with the nomination paper, declaring criminal cases, assets, liabilities and education. Voters can read these declarations before they vote.
Anti-defection lawகட்சித் தாவல் தடைச் சட்டம்: The rule (the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution) that disqualifies an MP or MLA who voluntarily gives up their party or votes against the party's direction, with limited exceptions. It exists to stop elected members from switching sides for personal gain.
Assembly constituencyசட்டமன்றத் தொகுதி: The area whose voters elect one Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). Tamil Nadu has 234 of them, and each covers many villages and wards.

B

Ballot paperவாக்குச்சீட்டு: The paper listing every candidate's name and symbol, on which a voter marks a choice. Electronic voting machines have largely replaced it, but paper ballots are still used for postal votes and in some local body elections.
Block Development Officer (BDO)வட்டார வளர்ச்சி அலுவலர்: The government official who runs the administration of a block, which in Tamil Nadu is a panchayat union. The BDO carries out rural development schemes and supports the elected panchayat union council and the village panchayats under it.
Booth Level Officer (BLO)வாக்குச்சாவடி நிலை அலுவலர்: The local official appointed by the Election Commission to keep the electoral roll accurate for one polling area. BLOs visit homes, help people register and correct wrong entries, so they are the first person to ask about your name on the voter list.
By-electionஇடைத்தேர்தல்: An election held to fill a single seat that has fallen vacant between general elections, for example because the member died, resigned or was disqualified.

C

Cadreகட்சித் தொண்டர்கள்: The trained, committed members of a party or movement who do the steady day-to-day work — meeting people, organising events and managing a booth — not just at election time.
Candidateவேட்பாளர்: A person who has filed a valid nomination to contest an election.
Coalition governmentகூட்டணி அரசு: A government formed by two or more parties that agree to share power because no single party won a majority on its own.
Conflict of interestநலன் முரண்பாடு: A situation where a representative's or official's personal, family or financial interest could influence how they do their public duty — for example, awarding a works contract to a relative. Such interests should be declared, and the person should step back from the decision.
Constituencyதொகுதி: The area whose voters together elect one representative. Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies cover many wards and villages; in a local body the equivalent is a ward.
Constitution of Indiaஇந்திய அரசியலமைப்புச் சட்டம்: The supreme law of the country, in force since 26 January 1950. It sets out the rights of citizens, how governments are formed, and how power is divided between the Union, the states and local governments.
Corporationமாநகராட்சி: The urban local body for a large city, run by councillors elected from each ward and headed by a mayor. Greater Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai are examples.
Councillorகவுன்சிலர் (மன்ற உறுப்பினர்): The elected member who represents one ward in a municipality or corporation. Councillors vote on budgets and local works, and bring their ward's problems to the council.
Counting dayவாக்கு எண்ணிக்கை நாள்: The day the votes are counted, under the Returning Officer's supervision and in the presence of the candidates' counting agents. The result is declared once counting is complete.

D

Decentralisationஅதிகாரப் பரவல்: Moving decisions, money and responsibility down from the state and national governments to local governments that are closer to the people they serve. It is the idea behind the 73rd and 74th Amendments.
Delimitationதொகுதி மறுவரையறை: Redrawing constituency boundaries so that each has roughly the same population, and deciding which constituencies are reserved. A Delimitation Commission does this for Parliament and the Assemblies; state authorities do it for local body wards.
Democracyமக்களாட்சி: A system in which people choose those who govern them through free and fair elections, and can remove them the same way. Local bodies are the part of democracy closest to daily life.
Deposit (security deposit)வைப்புத்தொகை: Money a candidate pays when filing nomination papers. In Assembly and Lok Sabha elections it is returned only if the candidate wins more than one-sixth of the valid votes; otherwise it is forfeited. Local body rules and amounts are set by state law.
Disqualificationதகுதிநீக்கம்: The loss of the right to contest an election or to continue holding a seat. Reasons include conviction for certain offences, holding an office of profit, defection, or failing to submit election expenses on time.
District Collectorமாவட்ட ஆட்சியர்: The senior civil servant who heads the administration of a district. During elections the Collector usually also serves as the District Election Officer, responsible for polling arrangements.
District panchayatமாவட்ட ஊராட்சி: The top tier of rural local government in Tamil Nadu, covering a whole district. It plans development works across the panchayat unions in the district and is led by an elected chairperson.
Door-to-door campaigningவீடு வீடாகப் பிரசாரம்: Visiting voters at their homes to introduce yourself, listen to their concerns and explain your plans. It is the most effective way to campaign in a ward-level contest, and the Model Code of Conduct still applies.

E

Election agentதேர்தல் முகவர்: The person a candidate appoints to manage the campaign and to be answerable for it, including its accounts. Not the same as a polling agent, who watches a booth.
Election Commission of India (ECI)இந்தியத் தேர்தல் ஆணையம்: The independent constitutional body that runs elections to Parliament, the State Legislative Assemblies and the offices of President and Vice-President. Elections to panchayats and municipalities are run by each state's own State Election Commission.
Election expenditure limitதேர்தல் செலவு வரம்பு: The maximum a candidate is allowed to spend on a campaign. Candidates must keep a daily account and submit it after the result. For Assembly and Lok Sabha seats the limit is fixed by the Election Commission; for local bodies, by the State Election Commission.
Election petitionதேர்தல் வழக்கு: A case filed in the High Court challenging the result of an Assembly or Parliament election, for example on grounds of corrupt practice. It must be filed within 45 days of the result. Disputes about local body elections follow the state's own law.
Election symbolதேர்தல் சின்னம்: The picture allotted to a party or candidate so that voters can identify them on the voting machine, including voters who cannot read. Recognised parties have reserved symbols; independents choose from a list of free symbols.
Electoral rollவாக்காளர் பட்டியல்: The official list of people eligible to vote in an area. You must be on it, and be 18 or older, to vote. You can check or correct your entry through the Election Commission's voter portal or your Booth Level Officer.
EPIC (voter ID card)வாக்காளர் அடையாள அட்டை: Electors Photo Identity Card — the photo ID issued by the Election Commission to registered voters. If you don't have it on polling day, other approved photo IDs are also accepted at the booth.
EVMமின்னணு வாக்குப்பதிவு இயந்திரம்: Electronic Voting Machine. A voter presses the button next to their chosen candidate's name and symbol. The machines are stand-alone, not connected to any network, and are used together with a VVPAT.

F

Federalismகூட்டாட்சி: A system in which power is shared between the Union government and the state governments, each with its own areas of responsibility. Local governments work as a third tier beneath them.
First-past-the-postஅதிக வாக்குப் பெற்றவர் வெல்லும் முறை: The system in which the candidate who gets the most votes wins, even if that is less than half of all votes cast. It is used for the Lok Sabha, the Assemblies and most local body seats.
Floor testபெரும்பான்மை நிரூபிப்பு (நம்பிக்கை வாக்கெடுப்பு): A vote in the legislature to check whether a government still has the support of a majority of members. It is called when there is doubt about that support.
Fundamental Rightsஅடிப்படை உரிமைகள்: The basic rights guaranteed to every citizen in Part III of the Constitution, including equality, freedom of speech, and the right to life and liberty. Courts can enforce them directly.

G

Governanceநல்லாட்சி: The way public institutions make decisions, deliver services and answer to the public. “Good governance” means these are done openly, fairly and with the people's participation.
Governorஆளுநர்: The constitutional head of a state, appointed by the President. In most matters the Governor acts on the advice of the state's ministers, and invites a party or coalition to form the government after an election.
Gram sabhaகிராம சபை: A public assembly of registered voters in a village panchayat area, convened to discuss local plans, accounts and community priorities.
Grassroots leaderஅடிமட்டத் தலைவர்: Someone who leads from inside their own community or ward — organising neighbours, solving local problems, helping people reach public services — often without any title or party position. The Centre exists to empower them.
Grievance redressalகுறை தீர்ப்பு: The process of receiving, recording and resolving complaints from citizens. Good systems give every complaint a number, a deadline and a named person responsible.

H

Hung assemblyதொங்கு சட்டமன்றம்: The outcome when no party wins more than half the seats. It leads to a coalition, a minority government supported from outside, or fresh elections.

I

Incumbentதற்போதைய பதவியாளர்: The person who currently holds an office and is seeking re-election. Incumbents are well known and have access to public resources, which is why the Model Code of Conduct limits how those can be used in a campaign.
Indelible inkஅழியாத மை: The ink applied to a voter's finger at the polling booth to prevent anyone voting twice. It cannot be washed off for several weeks.
Independent candidateசுயேச்சை வேட்பாளர்: A candidate contesting without the backing of a registered political party. Independents usually need a set number of voters to propose them, and are given a free symbol to use.

J

Jurisdictionஅதிகார வரம்பு: The area or set of subjects over which a body or official has legal power. Knowing whether an issue falls under the panchayat, the state or the Union tells you whom to approach.

L

Legislative Assemblyசட்டமன்றம் (சட்டப்பேரவை): The elected house of a state, where MLAs make state laws and approve the state budget. Tamil Nadu's Assembly has 234 members, elected for five years.
Local bodyஉள்ளாட்சி அமைப்பு: A government elected by the people of a village, town or city — such as a village panchayat, town panchayat, municipality or corporation. It handles everyday services like drinking water, streets, street lights, drains and sanitation.
Lok Sabhaமக்களவை: The directly elected lower house of Parliament, with 543 elected seats. Tamil Nadu sends 39 members. The party or alliance that commands a majority forms the Union government.

M

Majorityபெரும்பான்மை: More than half — of the seats in a legislature, or of the votes in a council. A government needs one to stay in office, and a motion needs one to pass.
Manifestoதேர்தல் அறிக்கை: The written promises and plans a party or candidate publishes before an election. It is the yardstick voters can use later to judge what was delivered.
Mayorமேயர்: The head of a city corporation, who chairs council meetings and represents the city. In Tamil Nadu, the elected councillors choose the mayor from among themselves.
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)சட்டமன்ற உறுப்பினர்: The person elected from an Assembly constituency to the State Legislative Assembly. MLAs make state laws and hold the state government to account.
Member of Parliament (MP)நாடாளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்: A person elected to the Lok Sabha by the voters of a constituency, or to the Rajya Sabha by a state's MLAs. MPs make national laws.
Model Code of Conduct (MCC)மாதிரி நடத்தை விதிகள்: The rules of behaviour for parties and candidates that the Election Commission enforces from the time an election is announced until the results are out. Under it, for example, governments cannot announce new schemes, official vehicles cannot be used for campaigning, and no one may offer money or gifts to voters or appeal for votes on caste or religion. State Election Commissions apply similar codes to local body elections.
Municipalityநகராட்சி: The urban local body for a mid-sized town, run by councillors elected from its wards and headed by a chairperson. It is responsible for local services such as water supply, roads and waste.

N

No-confidence motionநம்பிக்கையில்லாத் தீர்மானம்: A motion brought by members to test whether a government, or the head of a local body, still has the support of a majority. If it passes, the government or office-holder must step down.
Nomination paperவேட்புமனு: The official form and supporting documents a candidate submits to contest an election.
Nomination scrutinyவேட்புமனு பரிசீலனை: The check the Returning Officer carries out after nominations close, to confirm each candidate is eligible and that the forms are complete and correct. Nominations with serious defects can be rejected, so accuracy matters.
NOTAநோட்டா (மேற்கண்ட எவருமில்லை): None of the Above — the option on the voting machine that lets a voter formally reject every candidate. It was introduced after a 2013 Supreme Court ruling. NOTA votes are counted, but the candidate with the most votes still wins, even if NOTA gets more.
Notificationதேர்தல் அறிவிப்பு: The official notice that begins the formal election process. It sets out the dates for filing nominations, scrutiny, withdrawal, polling and counting.

O

Office-bearerநிர்வாகி: A person who holds a formal post in a party or organisation — such as a booth president, ward secretary or treasurer. It is different from holding elected office in government.
Oppositionஎதிர்க்கட்சி: The parties in a legislature or council that are not part of the government. Their role is to question, scrutinise and offer alternatives. The leader of the largest opposition party is the Leader of the Opposition.

P

Panchayatபஞ்சாயத்து: A rural local-government body responsible for specified public services and development functions.
Panchayat presidentஊராட்சி மன்றத் தலைவர்: The elected head of a village panchayat, who chairs its meetings and oversees local works. In Tamil Nadu, the voters of the village elect the president directly.
Panchayat Rajபஞ்சாயத்து ராஜ்: The system of rural local self-government with three tiers: village, block and district. In Tamil Nadu these are the village panchayat, the panchayat union and the district panchayat.
Panchayat unionஊராட்சி ஒன்றியம்: The middle tier of rural local government in Tamil Nadu, covering a block of villages. It has elected ward members and a chairperson, and its administration is led by the Block Development Officer.
Political partyஅரசியல் கட்சி: An organised group that puts up candidates for election and seeks to form or influence the government. Parties must register with the Election Commission, and are recognised as state or national parties when they meet its criteria.
Polling agentவாக்குச்சாவடி முகவர்: A person appointed by a candidate to sit inside a polling station and watch that voting is fair. Polling agents can raise objections with the Presiding Officer if something goes wrong.
Polling boothவாக்குச்சாவடி: The place where voters cast their votes, usually a school or public building. A booth normally serves up to about 1,500 voters, and it is also the basic unit of party organising on the ground.
Postal ballotஅஞ்சல் வாக்கு: A way of voting by post for people who cannot come to the booth, such as election-duty staff, service voters, and some elderly voters and persons with disabilities.
Presiding Officerவாக்குச்சாவடித் தலைமை அலுவலர்: The official in charge of a single polling station on polling day. The Presiding Officer makes sure voting is orderly, machines are sealed and any dispute is recorded.

Q

Quorumநிறைவெண் (கோரம்): The minimum number of members who must be present for a meeting's decisions to be valid. A council or Gram Sabha meeting without a quorum cannot pass resolutions.

R

Rajya Sabhaமாநிலங்களவை: The upper house of Parliament, which represents the states. Its members are elected by the MLAs of each state for six-year terms, with one-third retiring every two years. Tamil Nadu has 18 members.
Recountமறு வாக்கு எண்ணிக்கை: Counting the votes again, which a candidate can ask the Returning Officer for — usually when the margin is very small. The Returning Officer decides whether to allow it.
Representation of the People Actமக்கள் பிரதிநிதித்துவச் சட்டம்: The laws of 1950 and 1951 that set out how elections are run: who can vote, who can stand, what counts as a corrupt practice, and how disputes are settled. Local body elections are governed by each state's own laws.
Reservation (electoral)இட ஒதுக்கீடு: A rule that sets aside certain constituencies or offices for constitutionally recognised groups or for women, according to the applicable election cycle.
Returning Officerதேர்தல் நடத்தும் அலுவலர்: The official who runs an election in one constituency: accepting nominations, scrutinising them, overseeing counting and declaring the winner.
Right to Information (RTI)தகவல் அறியும் உரிமைச் சட்டம்: The 2005 law that lets any citizen ask a public body for its records — including panchayats and municipalities. For example, you can ask how a ward's funds were spent. A reply is due within 30 days.

S

Secret ballotரகசிய வாக்குப்பதிவு: The principle that no one can find out how you voted. You mark your choice in a screened compartment, and the law protects that privacy.
Social auditசமூகத் தணிக்கை: A public review in which the community checks the records of a scheme or project against what was actually delivered. It is mandatory for works under the rural employment guarantee scheme (MGNREGA), and it is one of the best tools ordinary people have to check public spending.
Speakerசபாநாயகர்: The presiding officer of the Legislative Assembly or the Lok Sabha, elected by the members. The Speaker keeps order, decides the rules of debate and is meant to act impartially.
State Election Commissionமாநிலத் தேர்தல் ஆணையம்: The independent body in each state, set up under the Constitution, that runs elections to panchayats and municipalities. In Tamil Nadu it sets the schedule and conducts the rural and urban local body polls.

T

Term of officeபதவிக்காலம்: The period for which an elected person holds office before the next election — five years for the Lok Sabha, the Assembly and local bodies, and six years for the Rajya Sabha.
Town panchayatபேரூராட்சி: The urban local body for a small town that is growing out of a village, smaller than a municipality. It has ward members elected from its wards and a chairperson.
Turnoutவாக்குப்பதிவு சதவீதம்: The share of registered voters who actually voted. It is worked out by dividing the votes cast by the number of people on the electoral roll.

U

Universal adult suffrageவயது வந்தோர் அனைவருக்கும் வாக்குரிமை: The principle that every citizen aged 18 or older has the right to vote, regardless of caste, religion, gender, wealth or education. The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1989.
Urban local bodyநகர்ப்புற உள்ளாட்சி அமைப்பு: The general name for town panchayats, municipalities and corporations — the elected governments of towns and cities.

V

Village panchayatகிராம ஊராட்சி: The lowest tier of rural local government in Tamil Nadu, covering one or more villages. Voters elect a president and ward members, and the Gram Sabha keeps a check on its work.
Voterவாக்காளர்: A citizen aged 18 or older whose name is on the electoral roll and who is entitled to vote in that constituency.
VVPATவாக்காளர் சரிபார்ப்புத் தாள் இயந்திரம்: Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail — a printer attached to the voting machine that shows a slip with the candidate's name and symbol for about seven seconds so the voter can confirm their vote. The slip then drops into a sealed box. Slips from some machines are counted to cross-check the electronic result.

W

Wardவார்டு: A defined local electoral area represented by a councillor or ward member.
Ward memberவார்டு உறுப்பினர்: A person elected to represent one ward in a panchayat or an urban local body. Ward members are the first level of elected representation and carry their ward's concerns to the council.
Whipகொறடா: A party's officer in a legislature who makes sure members attend and vote as the party directs. The word also means the written instruction itself.
Women's reservationபெண்களுக்கான இட ஒதுக்கீடு: Seats and offices set aside for women in elected bodies. The Constitution reserves at least one-third of local body seats and offices for women, and Tamil Nadu has raised this to 50 per cent. A 2023 law extends one-third reservation to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, to take effect after the next census and delimitation.

Y

Youth wingஇளைஞர் அணி: The section of a party that organises its younger members. For many people it is the first step into party responsibility.

Z

Zoneமண்டலம்: An administrative division inside a large city corporation that groups several wards under a zonal office and zonal committee. Greater Chennai, for example, is divided into zones.