ELECTORAL POLITICS - Q&A
1. Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false?
(a) Elections enable people to judge the performance of the government.
(b) People select the representative of their choice in an election.
(c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary.
(d) People can indicate which policies they prefer.
Answer: (c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary.
Explanation:
In a democracy, elections are held to choose the legislature (law-makers) and the executive (government). The judiciary (courts) is an independent body, and judges are not elected by the people in India to ensure they remain impartial. Therefore, elections are not used to evaluate the judiciary.
2. Which of these is not a good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic?
(a) India has the largest number of voters in the world.
(b) India’s Election Commission is very powerful.
(c) In India, everyone above the age of 18 has a right to vote.
(d) In India, the losing parties accept the electoral verdict.
Answer: (a) India has the largest number of voters in the world.
Explanation:
While having a large number of voters is a fact, it does not by itself prove that the election process is democratic. A country could have many voters but still have rigged or unfair elections. The other factors (powerful Election Commission, universal suffrage, and acceptance of defeat) directly indicate the quality and fairness of the democratic process.
3. Match the following:
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| (a) It is necessary to keep the voters list up to date because | (i) There is a fair representation of all sections of our society |
| (b) Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that | (ii) Everyone has equal opportunity to elect their representative |
| (c) Everyone has one and only one vote so that | (iii) All candidates must have a fair chance of competing in elections |
| (d) Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicles because | (iv) Some people may have moved away from the area where they voted last |
Answer:
(a) — (iv) It is necessary to keep the voters list up to date because some people may have moved away from the area where they voted last.
(b) — (i) Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that there is a fair representation of all sections of our society.
(c) — (ii) Everyone has one and only one vote so that everyone has equal opportunity to elect their representative.
(d) — (iii) Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicles because all candidates must have a fair chance of competing in elections.
4. List all the different election related activities mentioned in the chapter and arrange them in a time sequence, beginning with the first activity and ending with the last. Some of these activities are given below:
releasing election manifestos; counting of votes; making of voters’ list; election campaign; declaration of election results; casting of votes; ordering of re-poll; announcing election schedule; filing nomination.
- Making of voters’ list
- Announcing election schedule
- Filing nomination
- Releasing election manifestos
- Election campaign
- Casting of votes
- Ordering of re-poll (if required)
- Counting of votes
- Declaration of election results
Explanation:
The process starts long before the election date by updating the list of eligible voters. Once the dates are announced, candidates file nominations. Campaigns and manifestos follow to persuade voters. Voting happens next, and if there are irregularities, a re-poll is ordered. Finally, votes are counted to declare the winner.
5. Surekha is an officer in-charge of ensuring free and fair elections in an assembly constituency in a state. Describe what should she focus on for each of the following stages of election:
(a) Election campaign
(b) Polling day
(c) Counting day
(a) Election campaign: Surekha must ensure that candidates and parties do not violate the Model Code of Conduct. She should check that:
- No one bribes or threatens voters.
- No appeal is made in the name of caste or religion.
- Government resources (vehicles, officials) are not used for campaigning.
- The expenditure limit set by the Election Commission is not exceeded.
- Only eligible voters on the list are allowed to vote, upon checking their ID.
- Voting is conducted by secret ballot (or EVM) without fear or pressure.
- "Booth capturing" or bogus voting does not take place.
- The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) or ballot boxes are intact before opening.
- Agents of all candidates are present to witness the counting.
- The counting is accurate and the final result is declared fairly.
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Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
In modern democracies, how do people typically exercise their power to govern?
Answer
Through elected representatives.
Question
The mechanism that allows people to choose their representatives at regular intervals is called _____.
Answer
Election
Question
What is the primary purpose of an election in a representative democracy?
Answer
To allow voters to choose who will make laws and form the government.
Question
The movement led by Chaudhary Devi Lal in Haryana was called 'Nyaya Yudh', which translates to _____.
Answer
Struggle for Justice
Question
Which political party was formed by Chaudhary Devi Lal before the 1987 Haryana assembly elections?
Answer
Lok Dal
Question
What specific promise did Devi Lal make to attract voters in 1987?
Answer
To waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen.
Question
How many seats did Lok Dal win on its own in the 90-seat Haryana Assembly in 1987?
Answer
60
Question
In the Indian system, who invites the leader of the majority party to form the state government?
Answer
The Governor
Question
According to the first condition of democratic elections, what should be the value of each person's vote?
Answer
Equal value
Question
What must political parties and candidates be free to do to ensure a real choice for voters?
Answer
Free to contest elections.
Question
How often should choices be offered to voters for an election to be considered democratic?
Answer
At regular intervals.
Question
For an election to be democratic, who should ultimately be the one who gets elected?
Answer
The candidate preferred by the people.
Question
What is the main demerit of political competition at the local level?
Answer
It creates a sense of disunity and 'factionalism'.
Question
How does electoral competition provide incentives to political leaders?
Answer
Leaders know that raising popular issues increases their popularity and chances of future victory.
Question
What is the typical duration of the term for elected representatives in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha?
Answer
Five years
Question
What happens to the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha at the end of its five-year term?
Answer
It stands 'dissolved'.
Question
An election held in all constituencies at the same time is known as a _____.
Answer
General election
Question
What is the term for an election held only for one constituency to fill a vacancy?
Answer
By-election
Question
The area-based system of representation divides the country into specific units called _____.
Answer
Electoral constituencies
Question
Into how many constituencies is India divided for Lok Sabha elections?
Answer
543
Question
What is the official title of the representative elected from a Lok Sabha constituency?
Answer
Member of Parliament (MP)
Question
What is the official title of the representative elected from a state Assembly constituency?
Answer
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA)
Question
Why does the Constitution require each constituency to have a roughly equal population?
Answer
To ensure that every vote has equal value.
Question
Constituencies in village or town local body elections are commonly referred to as _____.
Answer
Wards
Question
Why did the Constitution makers create reserved constituencies for weaker sections?
Answer
To ensure that those without resources or contacts can still be elected to Parliament and Assemblies.
Question
Who is eligible to contest an election in a constituency reserved for the Scheduled Castes (SC)?
Answer
Only someone who belongs to the Scheduled Castes.
Question
As of 26 January 2019, how many seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes in the Lok Sabha?
Answer
84
Question
As of 26 January 2019, how many seats are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha?
Answer
47
Question
What proportion of seats are reserved for women in rural and urban local bodies?
Answer
One-third
Question
Which 2023 Act introduced a one-third reservation for women in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies?
Answer
Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Act 2023)
Question
The official list of individuals eligible to vote is known as the Electoral Roll or the _____.
Answer
Voters' List
Question
What is the principle that every citizen aged 18 and above has the right to vote regardless of caste, religion, or gender?
Answer
Universal adult franchise
Question
What is the minimum age required for a citizen to vote in an Indian election?
Answer
18 years
Question
How often is the voters' list completely revised in India?
Answer
Every five years
Question
What is the full name of the identity document known as EPIC?
Answer
Election Photo Identity Card
Question
What is the minimum age required for a person to become a candidate in elections?
Answer
25 years
Question
In political terms, what is a party 'ticket'?
Answer
A political party's formal nomination of a candidate.
Question
What is the 'security deposit' in the context of election nominations?
Answer
A sum of money that a candidate must pay to contest an election.
Question
Under Supreme Court direction, what information must a candidate legally declare regarding their legal history?
Answer
Serious criminal cases pending against the candidate.
Question
Candidates must legally declare the details of assets and liabilities for which group?
Answer
The candidate and his or her family.
Question
Why are educational qualifications not mandatory for becoming an MLA or MP?
Answer
The relevant qualification is the ability to understand and represent people's interests, not a degree.
Question
What is the standard duration for an election campaign in India?
Answer
A two-week period between the final list of candidates and the polling date.
Question
Which party used the slogan 'Garibi Hatao' (Remove Poverty) in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections?
Answer
The Congress party
Question
Who led the Janata Party under the slogan 'Save Democracy' in the 1977 elections?
Answer
Jayaprakash Narayan
Question
What was the specific slogan used by the Left Front in the 1977 West Bengal Assembly elections?
Answer
Land to the Tiller
Question
Who led the Telugu Desam Party with the slogan 'Protect the Self-Respect of the Telugus' in 1983?
Answer
N. T. Rama Rao
Question
What is the maximum expenditure allowed for a candidate in a Lok Sabha constituency election?
Answer
$\text{\₹} 25 \text{ lakh}$
Question
What is the maximum expenditure allowed for a candidate in an Assembly election constituency?
Answer
$\text{\₹} 10 \text{ lakh}$
Question
Under the Model Code of Conduct, what type of locations are forbidden for election propaganda?
Answer
Places of worship
Question
Once elections are announced, what restriction is placed on Ministers regarding public works?
Answer
They shall not lay foundation stones of any projects.
Question
What is the 'election day'?
Answer
The day when voters cast or 'poll' their votes.
Question
What sheet of paper contains the names of candidates and their party symbols for voting?
Answer
Ballot paper
Question
What does the acronym EVM stand for in the context of recording votes?
Answer
Electronic Voting Machine
Question
Why are agents of candidates allowed to sit inside the polling booth?
Answer
To ensure that the voting takes place in a fair way.
Question
In a constituency, which candidate is declared elected?
Answer
The candidate who secures the highest number of votes.
Question
Which independent body in India has wide-ranging powers to conduct and control elections?
Answer
The Election Commission of India (EC)
Question
During the election period, which body can order the government to transfer officials to prevent misuse of power?
Answer
The Election Commission
Question
Under whose control do government officers work when they are on election duty?
Answer
The Election Commission
Question
What action does the Election Commission take if polling in a booth is found to be unfair?
Answer
It orders a repoll.
Question
Identify the unfair practice: A minister flags off a new train in his constituency a week before polling.
Answer
This violates the Model Code of Conduct regarding new projects after election announcements.