In Class 9 Civics, students learn about the electoral process in India, including the importance of election campaigns. Election campaigns are the means by which candidates and political parties prepare and present their ideas and positions on issues to the voters in the period leading up to election day. The dates of an official election campaign period, usually a period of a month or several months leading up to election day, are often legally defined. In many countries, the legal window for campaigning will end a day or two prior to election day, providing a so-called “black-out period” immediately before voting begins.

Election campaigns are vital to achieving the goals of democratic elections, which require an informed as well as a free vote and a fair chance for contestants to win support and motivate supporters to help them gain office. Elections that are genuinely competitive offer equitable opportunities for contestants to convey their positions to citizens and compete for votes. Election campaigns provide candidates and political parties with opportunities to present their message to citizens, helping voters make educated and informed decisions on election day.

In India, election campaigns take place for a two-week period between the announcement of the final list of candidates and the date of polling. During this period, the candidates contact their voters, political leaders address election meetings and political parties take out processions and hold rallies. The election campaigns are conducted to have a free and open discussion about who is a better representative and, in turn, which party will make a better government.