With regard to the kinds of elections explain the following :

(a) Merits of Direct Election

(b) Demerits of Indirect Election

(c) Merits of Indirect Election

(d) Demerits of Direct Election

(a) The Merits of Direct Election are given below:

1. Firstly, it is said that the method of direct election is most democratic as it enables the electorate to take part in constituting the government directly.
2. The system of direct election makes the representative more accountable to public opinion. They try to keep them in touch with the voters and try to better their condition.
3. The system of direct election stimulates political interest among voters. Each voter feels that their voice will count in the formation of the government and selection of the law-makers. Such a system encourages active citizenship.
4. The advocates of this system claim that this system is less exposed to corruption. Under this system a candidate has to approach a large number of voters. It is quite difficult to bribe or intimidate such a broad electorate.

(b) The Demerits of Indirect Election are given below:

1. Firstly, it is considered anti-democratic. Democracy requires that contact between the representatives and voters should be direct and immediate. But indirect election keeps a distance between the voters and their representatives.
2. The system of indirect election is condemned on the ground that it kills popular interest in the elections. The primary voters cease to take any interest in public matters.
3. The smaller electorate in indirect elections is more vulnerable to corruption and undue influence.
4. Lastly, in some cases, the system of indirect election has been reduced to a formality due to the influence of the party system.

(c) The Merits of Indirect Election are given below:

1. The system of indirect election is said to be free from the complexity of popular passion. It transfers the choice of representatives from the hands of the masses into the hands of a few selected persons who are likely to be less swayed by political passions.
2. Again, it is said that the system of indirect election saves us from such dangers which can result from haste. It has been rightly said, "Haste makes waste". Under this system, in fact, there are two elections, as such mistakes made at one stage can be corrected at another stage. The time-gap in two elections cools down the passions and members of the electoral college can think twice before electing any candidate.

(d) The Demerits of Direct Election are given below:

1. The system of direct election places powers in the hands of ignorant voters. Most of the voters are either illiterate or ignorant who do not have intelligence or independence enough to vote for the right candidate.
2. Under this system a majority of voters are swayed by false promises of the clever orators and they fall in the trap quite easily.