Enumerate the salient features of Representation of People's Act, 1951. In your opinion, what amendments are needed in the Act to further the cause of free and fair elections in light of contemporary challenges.

Representation of People's Act, 1951 is a key legislation to ensure free & fair election (Article 324) and specifies qualifications and disqualification for candidate (supported by Article 10 per) Salient Features (1) Qualifications & Legal Sabha, State legislature assembly & LS/ST allowed to sit contest from general seat. (2) Disqualifications of candidates : (1) Corrupt and Illegal activities (Section 8, Sec 9)

Amendments needed to address (1) Fast-track courts provision in RPA, 1951 for conviction of MPs (Lok Bahri case) (2) Article, First past the Post, as single majority representation by single vote (suggested by 170 Lole Sabha) (3) Regulation of Social Media in elections (Vishwanath committee on hate speech) (4) Provision for digitization of VVPAT and EVM. (5) Enable possibility on 'ballot votes' and 'postal votes' counting together. (6) Dinesh Goswami -> include provision legislating MCC and intra-party democracy Election and democracy are indispensable for functioning of India - SY Aiyasami

Election and democracy are indispensable for functioning of India - SY Aiyasami [Note: This appears to be a continuation/concluding section of the answer]