Fraud and malpractices indulged by a party or candidate to increase its votes.
Explanation
In a democratic setup, the credibility of elections depends on the process being free and fair. "Rigging" is a term used to describe systematic electoral fraud or interference intended to manipulate the outcome of an election in favor of a specific candidate or party.Option Analysis:
- The legal process of delimiting constituencies. is incorrect: The legal process of redrawing the boundaries of constituencies to reflect changes in the population is known as Delimitation. This is a constitutional exercise carried out by a Delimitation Commission and is a legitimate administrative process.
- Fraud and malpractices indulged by a party or candidate to increase its votes. is correct: Rigging specifically refers to fraud and malpractices indulged in by a party or candidate to artificially increase their votes. This includes illegal activities such as stuffing ballot boxes, recording multiple votes by the same person, booth capturing, and bribing or intimidating polling officials.
- The strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct by the Election Commission. is incorrect: The strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a regulatory measure implemented by the Election Commission to ensure a level playing field. It is a mechanism to prevent malpractice, not a form of rigging.
- The process of forming a coalition government after a fractured mandate. is incorrect: The formation of a coalition government is a legitimate political negotiation that occurs when no single party secures a clear majority (fractured mandate). It is a standard feature of parliamentary democracy.
Key Takeaway: Rigging denotes the subversion of the electoral process through illegal means such as fraud, intimidation, or manipulation of voting mechanisms to secure an unfair advantage.