11 POLITICAL SCIENCE
NOTES- ELECTION AND REPRESENTATION
Multiple Choice Type Questions
1. Which is the closest example of direct democracy in the current time?
(a) Gram Sabha (b) Gram Panchayat
(c) District Council (d) Municipality
Ans. (a) Gram Sabha
2. What is the age prescribed for voting in India?
(a) 18 years (b) 21 years (c) 25 years (d) 30 years
3. The most important attribute of proportional representation system is:
(a) Ignorace of minority (b) Fulfillment of welfare of state
(c) Electing the best people (d) Fair representation of minorities
Ans. (a) Ignorace of minority
4. What is the tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner elected by the
president?
(a) 4 years (b) 5 years (c) 6 years (d) 7 years
5. This has become an organ of our democratic life:
(a) Election (b) Army (c) Governor (d) None of these
Q.7 In the First Past the Post system, that candidate is declared winne
who:
(a) Secures the largest number of postal ballots
(b) Belongs to the party that has highest number of votes in the country.
(c) Has more votes than any other candidate in the constituency
(d) Attains first position by securing more than 50% votes.
Ans. (c) Has more votes than any other candidate in the constituency.
Very Short Answer Type Questions
Q.1. Whatever is true for sports, is true for elections' What does this mean?
Ans. We have to agree to the rules and about the umpire before the start of
the game, in a similar way, there are various rules and arrangements for
the conduct of elections.
Q.2. Why do elections become important?
Ans. In a democracy, all the citizens cannot participate directly in taking
any decision. That is why the people choose their representatives and
elections become important.
Q.3. What do you understand by direct democracy?
Ans. In a direct democracy people directly participate in day-to-day
decisions and functioning of the government.
Q.4. What is the meaning of governance by the people?
Ans. The meaning of governance by people means governance by the
representatives of people.
Q.5. What is the role of citizens in taking important decisions in a
democracy?
Ans. The role of citizens in decision making and functioning of the
government is limited. They do not participate actively in the decision
making of policies.
Q.6. Are all the elections democratic?
Ans. Elections take place in many nn-democratic countries, but the rulers
hold elections in such a way that there is no danger to their government.
That is how not all elections are democratic.
Q.7. What do you understand by democratic elections?
Ans. Free and fair elections are called democratic elections.
Q.8. Which candidate is declared elected?
Ans. The candidate who gets votes more than the other candidates is
declared elected.
Q.9. How has the system of proportional representation been adopted by
India?
Ans. In India, the system of proportional representation has been adopted
only in the form of indirect elections.
Q.10. In which elections is the single transition vote system used in India?
Ans. The single transition vote system is used in the election of president,
vice- president, Rajya sabha and Vidhan parishads.
Q.11. Why was the system of 'winning by majority votes' accepted in India?
Ans. This system was accepted in India because it is quite easy to
understand and the voters have clear options.
Q.12. In which system are the voters given an option to choose a party?
Ans. In the system of proportional representation, the voters have the
option to choose a party but the election of the candidates takes place
according to the list issued.
Q.13. What was the opinion of the constitution makers on the subject of
"Proportional representation system" ?
Ans. The constitution makers were of the opinion that the electoral system
of election based on the proportional representation was not apt for the
stability of government.
Q.14. Which system was more suitable for voting in the elections?
Ans. "Winning by majority votes" is the easiest and the most useful system
for the voters.
Q.15. Write one specialty of Indian party system.
Ans. The specialty of Indian party system is that by the coalition
governments being formed small and new parties got the opportunity to
contest in the elections.
Q.16. What is Delimitation Commission of India?
Ans. This commission decides which constituencies are to be reserved for
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. It is an independent commission
formed by the president.
Q.17. What type of election system should exist?
Ans. The election system must be fair and transparent and should be able
to fulfil the expectations of people by expressing the results of the election
in a fair way.
Q.18. What is universal adult franchise?
Ans. Universal adult franchise is the right given to cast vote to all citizens
who are 18 years and above without any discrimination on the basis of
religion, race, gender, place of birth and caste.
Q.19. What main legal restriction can be imposed for contesting the
election?
Ans. If a person has been imprisoned for two or more years for any
offence, he cannot contest the election.
Q.20. Mention one right of the Election Commission of India.
Ans. To take decisions for conducting free and fair elections. Q.21. Who
are the officials of the Election Commission?
Ans. The Election Commission comprises of the Chief Election
Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners.
Q.22. What is the tenure of chief Election Commissioner and other Election
Commissioners?
Ans. The Chief Election commissioner and the other Election
Commissioners are appointed for six years or till the age of 65 (whichever
is completed first).
Q.23. The Election Commission had to face difficulties many times during
the conduct of elections. Explain one such incident and what solution did
the Election Commission come out with?
Ans. When the Gujarat legislative assembly was dissolved in 2002, fair and
free election wasn't possible due to unexpected violence, then the Election
Commission decided to postpone the elections for a few months.
Short Answer Type Questions:
Q.1. Which rules does the Indian Constitution discuss about elections
Ans. The Indian constitution discusses the following rules about elections:
(a) Who is eligible for voting?
(b) Who is eligible for contesting elections?
(c) Who would look after the elections?
(d) How would the votes be counted and how would the representatives be
chosen?
Q.2. What do you understand by the First Past the Post' system?
Ans. This is a system where a candidate winning the maximum votes is
declared winner. It can also be called a pluralistic institutions. Our
constitution has permitted this arrangement only.
Q.3. What do you mean by the system of proportional representation?
Ans. This system is one in which each party fills its quota of seats by
picking those many of its nominees from a preference list that has been
declared before the elections. Once the votes are counted, each party is
allotted the share of seats in the parliament in proportion to its share of
votes.
Q.4. Discuss in brief the "winning of the candidate with majority votes"
election system.
Ans. In this arrangement, the country is divided into geographical units
which are called constituencies. Only one representative is elected from
one each constituency. The candidate who wins the maximum votes is
declared elected: It is not necessary for the elected candidate to win the
majority votes (50% + 1) This system is practiced in India and U.K.
Q.5. Why is the arrangement of "winning of the candidates with maximum
votes" successful?
Ans. The major reason for the success of "winning of the candidate with
maximum votes" is its popularity. The voters who are uneducated or less
educated and those who do not have much knowledge about elections, can
understand this arrangement easily. After independence, this arrangement,
was accepted because of lack of education and lack of information
regarding elections.
Q.6. State the benefits of "winning by maximum votes".
Ans. This system helps various social sectors to contest the elections
together in a constituency. In a country diverse like India, this system
inspires every community to form a national party of its own.
Q.7. When did the multiparty coalition system begin in India? What is its
speciality?
Ans. The multiparty coalition came into existence after 1989 in India. Due
to the entry of coalition government, small and new parties got an
opportunity to he contest elections. The importance of new and small
parties increased with this system.
Q.8. Explain the "separate electorate system" and state whether it is
suitable for the Indian society.
Ans. Before the independence the British government established the
separate electorate system, according which in the election of a
representative of a particular community, only the people of the same
community could vote. But our constitution makes did not find this
appropriate for Indian society. Thus, they embraced the system of
reservation in constituencies.
Q.9. What is Delimitation Commission? Why was it formed?
Ans. Delimitation commission is one which decides which constituencies
are to the reserved. This commission is formed by the president. The
delimitation commission works in collaboration with the Election
commission of India. It is appointed for the purpose of drawing up the
boundaries of constituencies all over the country.
Q.10. "The secret of a successful democracy is free and fair elections."
Give your views about this statement.
Ans. Free and fair election is the basis of true democracy. The more
transparent the election system is, the stronger will be the democracy.
When the feelings of voters are expressed in a justifiable way with the help
of election system, the roots of democracy will become deeper.
Q.11. What do you know about independent election commission?
Ans. An independent Election commission was formed to make the election
process free and fair. It was created to supervise and conduct elections.
The Indian constitution provides for an independent Election commission
for the ly superintendence direction and control of the electoral roll and the
conduct of elections in India.
Q.12. How many members does the Election Commission have?
Ans. The Election Commission had a single member till 1989. Just before
the 1989 general elections, two election commissioners were appointed,
making it multi member but after the elections it was again made single
member. In 1993, two Election Commissioners were once again appointed
and the commission became multi member and has remained multi-
member since then. According to the Supreme Court, multi member
Election Commission is more useful.
Q.13. Does the Chief election commissioner have more power than the
other Election Commissioners?
Ans. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) presides over the Election do
Commission, but does not have more powers than the other Election
Commissioners. The CEC and the two Election Commissioners have equal
powers to take all decisions relating to elections as a collective body.
Q.14. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and the other
Election Commissioners? Who can remove them?
Ans. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election
Commissioners are appointed for a six year term or continue till the age of
65, whichever is earlier. The CEC can be removed before the expiry of the
term, by the president, if both Houses of Parliament make such a
recommendation with a special majority. They are appointed by the
President of India on the advice of the Council of ministers.
Q.15. The Election Commission has limited staff of its own but still how is it
able to successfully conduct elections.
Ans. This is true that the Election Commission has limited staff of its own
but once the process of election begins, the commission has control over
the administration as far as election related work is concerned. During the
election process, the administrative officers of the state and central
governments are assigned election related duty and in this respect, the
Commission has full control over them. By the support and co-operation of
all of these, the Election Commission is able to conduct elections
successfully.
Q.16. What is the difference between the system of reservation of
constituencies and the system of separate electorate? Why did the
constitution makers reject the latter?
Ans. Under the system of separate electrorate, candidates belonging to
different cases from one constituency stand and each voter votes for the
candidate of his/her caste, whereas seats reserved for backward classes,
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes under the system of separate
electrorate.
The framers of the constitution did not accept a separate electrorate
because it is a communal election system. Separate electrorate system
promotes communalism.
In this the candidate can only think of the interests of his community or
class. At the same time, voters give importance to the interest of their
community than country interest. This destroys the unity of the society and
the went against their purpose of unity, secularism and a state that is
discrimination.
Q.6. Which of the following statements are incorrect? Identify and them by
substituting, adding or rearranging only one word or phrase.
(a) FPTP system is followed for all the elections in India.
(b) Election Commission does not supervise Panchayat and Municipal
elections.
(c) President of India cannot remove an Election commissioner.
(d) Appointment of more than one Election Commissioner in the Election
Commission is mandatory.
Ans. (a) This statement is incorrect. The correct statement is: FPTP system
is followed for all elections in India expect election of the president, the vice
president and for the election to the Rajya sabha and Vidhan parishad.
(b) This statement is correct.
(c) This statement is incorrect. The correct statement is: The president
remove an election commissioner.
(d) This statement is incorrect. The correct statement is: The appointment
more than one election commissioners is not mandatory.
Q.7. Indian electoral system aims at ensuring representation of socially
disadvantaged sections. However, we have only 12 percent women
members in our legislatures. What measures would you suggest to improve
the situation?
Ans. After the reservation of 1/3rd seats for women in the local bodies, an
amendment bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in March 2010 for
increasing representation of women in the Lok Sabha and the state
legislative assemblies.
I would suggest the following measures for increment in the number of
women representatives in the Indian electoral system:
1. Nearly 50 to 60% of the voters in India are women. Therefore, to
increase the number, awareness needs to be created.
2. Men and women both are equal before the constitution and all laws are
equally implemented on women as on men. So, there should be enough
contribution from them in the process of law making.
3. Various political parties are indirectly trying to delay the women
reservation amendment bill. Such political parties should be identified and
their true face must be presented before the public.
4. To increase the number of women in the Indian electoral system, the
government should bear all the expenses of the election for the women
candidates.
5. The family members should motivate the women to join politics.
6. The women should step out of the four walls and participate in political
and social works actively.
Q.8. Here are some wishes expressed in a conference to discuss a
constitution for a new country. Write against each of these whether FPTP
or proportional representation system is more suited to meet each of these
wishes.
(a) People should clearly know who is their representative so that they can
hold him or her personally accountable.
(b) We have small linguistic minorities who are spread all over the country;
we should ensure fair representation to them.
(c) There should be no discrepancy between votes and seats for different
parties.
(d) People should be able to elect a good candidate even if they do not like
his or her political party.
Ans. (a) FPTP system.
(b) Proportional representation system.
(c) Proportional representation system.
(d) FPTP system.
Q.9. Compare the Proportional Representation system and 'First Past the
Post' systems of election.
Proportional Representation First Past the Post system
System
1.Large geographical areas are 1.The country is divided into small
demarcated as constituencies. The geographical units called
entire country may be a single constituencies or districts.
constituency.
2. More than one representative 2 Every constituency elects one
may be elected from one representative
constituency. Voters vote for the
party.
3.Every party gets seats in the 3. Voters vote for a candidate.
legislature in proportion to the
percentage of votes that it gets..
4. Candidate who wins the Candidate who wins the election
elections gets majority of votes. may not get majority votes.
Example: Israel and Netherland Examples: India and U.K.
Q.9. What challenges are there before the Elections Commission in current
scenerio?
Ans. The Election Commission is dependent on administrative officials for
the conduct of elections. Many times, some officials are not dedicated
towards the Election Commission, instead, they are inclined towards the
ruling party. The inability to control the irregularities of elections, violence,
booth capturing, proxy voting etc. is increasing continuously. The Election
commission feels helpless in such situations.
The increasing influence of black money in elections, spending more than
the amount fixed, increase excitement for elections, increasing role of
criminal activities, violation of code of conduct by political parties and
candidates, increase in the number of independent candidates etc. are the
challenges surrounding the Indian Election Commission. But the
Commission has come out with solutions from time to time.
Q.5. Give your suggestions for improvement in the election system. Ans.
The suggestions for improvement in the election system are as follows:
1. There should be a law to control the functioning of political parties and to
make the election system more transparent and democratic.
2. In place of "winning by maximum votes," proportional representation
system should be enforced. By doing this, the political parties will get seats
in the same proportion as they get votes.
3. Any appeal made on the basis of religion or caste should be banned for
the campaigning of elections.
4. Special provision should be made for reserving 1/3rd seats for women in
parliament and state legislative assemblies.
5. The candidate who has a criminal record should not be allowed to
contest the elections even if he might have appealed against it in the court.
Essay Type Questions
Q.1. Explain the meaning of Direct Election System and high light its merits
and demerits.
Ans. Meaning of Direct Election System: If the voter directly elects its
representative, then it is called direct election system. In this easy method,
every voter goes to the polling place and votes for one candidate and the
candidate who receives the maximum votes is declared winner. In our
country, this election system is used for choosing candidates for Lok Sabha
and state legislative assemblies.
Merits of Direct Election System:
Following are the merits of this system:
1. Suited to the democratic nation: since this system gives an opportunity to
the masses to elect their representative directly.
2. Close relation between the elector and the elected: In this system,
the masses choose their representatives directly. That is why they keep a
mutual contact.
3. Political Education: When people choose their representatives directly,
and various political parties and their candidates present their policies and
programmes in front of the public, the public receives political education.
Due to the process of election, political awareness is instilled in the voters.
Due to direct election system, the people get proper knowledge about their
rights and duties.
Demerits of Direct Election System.
1. Extravagant and unsystematic: A large amount of money is spent in
this system as in the election a management has to be done on a large
scale. Therefore, the possibility of riots increases due to excessive
excitement.
2. Vote of ordinary elector is flawed: Due to the lack of more qualified
and educated voters, they come under the refluence of lousy promises of
politicians, false propaganda and fiery speeches and they choose the
worthless, selfish and clever candidates.
3. The argument of public education is flawed: The elections campaign
in the direct election system is not an educational campaign. In fact, it is
just a campaign of condemnation, blur and lies. Instead of understanding
the polices of the candidates in a proper manner, deformed version of
people and problems is presented. As a result of which, the voters get
deviated from their path.
Q.2. Write the meaning of Indirect Election System and highlight its merits
and demerits.
Ans. Meaning of Indirect Election System: When all the voters of the
country choose an electoral college which elects the representatives, it is
called indirect election system. In this system, the final right to elect a
candidate lies in the hands of the electoral college and not voters.
The election of members of the Rajya Sabha and the Vidhan Parishad are
elected with the help of this system. In the same way, the president and
vice-president are also elected indirectly. Merits of Indirect Election
System: Following are the merit of Indirect Election System
1. Possibility of electing a capable candidate: As compared to the public
the members of electoral college are more educated and thoughtful. If they
are given the responsibility to elect, then we can expect election of much
more capable candidate.
2. Best system in newly formed democracies: Generally, there is a fear
in newly formed democracies that due to lack of political awareness, people
may elect unsuitable candidates as representatives. In comparison to
general public, the members of electoral college are more pragmatic. So,
by getting elected by the members, this fear can be overcome.
3. Reduction of flaws of the election system: By this system of election,
there isn't much false campaigning. There is less feeling of groupism and
due to less number of members in the electoral college, not much amount
is spent in campaigning. Indirect elections prove helpful in reducing riots.
Demerits of Indirect Election System: Following are the demerits of
indirect election system:
1. Non-democratic: Indirect elections are not completely democratic
because the people can't directly elect its representatives.
2. Apprehension of corruption: Due to less number of members of the
electoral college, it is easy to attract them by offering money and influence
them to favour a particular candidate. Because of this, there is always an
apprehension of corruption being flourished.
Q.3. Explain universal adult franchise and present its arguments in its favor
and against.
Ans. Universal adult franchise is the main speciality of Indian election
system. It is the basic foundation of democracy. According to article 326,
the election of members of the Lok Sabha and the state legislative
assemblies will be performed through universal adult franchise. It means
that an Indian citizen who has attained the age of 18 on the date prescribed
by the government has the right to vote.
Arguments in favor of adult franchise :
1. Favourable for democracy: The universal adult franchise is in
accordance with the theory of democracy because a democratic
government is the government of the people. Thus, the citizens should
have the right to elect their representatives.
2. Basis of democracy: The basis of democracy is the feeling of equality.
Therefore, every citizen must have the right to vote after attaining a certain
age without any discrimination on the basis of religion, caste or gender.
3. Rise of spirit of equality and unity: Universal adult franchise awakens
the spirit of equality and unity.
4. Sentiment of self-respect: By universal adult franchise, the citizens feel
that the ultimate power of a state lies in their hands. The voters realize their
real power when the candidates come to them asking for votes. 11/08/202
5. Love for the nation, patriotism and political education: The universal
franchise teaches patriotism, love for the nation to the citizens. The citizens
consider themselves to be an organ of the nation and government as they
participate in elections directly. During the election process, different
political parties and their candidates make people aware of national and
international incidents through their publicity meeting.
Arguments against universal franchise.
1. The general public doesn't understand the complicated politics, so
everyone should have the right to vote.
2. There exists an apprehension of uneducated, ignorant and backward
candidates ruling the nation.
3. Universal adult franchise gives birth to conservatism because when the
people are conservative, they perceive the progressive thoughts with
doubt.
4. Universal adult franchise gives birth to conservation because voting
decreases due to money, religion and caste.
Q.5 Write about the functions and powers of the Indian Election
Commission. Mention the provisions which make it neutral and
independent.
Ans. Following are the functions and powers of the Indian Election
Commission:
1. Delimitation of constituencies: In India, after every census, the
Election Commission forms a delimitation Committee. This committee
decides the boundaries of constituencies.
2. Preparing the voters list: It supervises the preparation of up-to-date
voters' list. It makes very effort to ensure that the voters's list is free of
errors, like non existence of names of registered voters or existence of
names of those non-eligible or non-existent. It issues the identity cards to
the voters.
3. Recognition to political parties and allotment of election symbols:
The election commission recognizes the political parties of the country and
works to allocate election symbols to various political parties and
independent candidates.
4. Declaring and determining the election schedule: It determines the
timing of elections and prepares the election schedule. The election
schedule includes the notification of elections, date from which nominations
can be filed, last date for filing nominations, last date of scrutiny, last date
of withdrawal, date of polling, date of counting and declaration of results.
5. Fair conduct of elections: During the entire process, the commission
has the power to take decisions to ensure a free and fair poll. It implements
a model code of conduct for political parties and candidates.
6. Various other jobs: It can postpone or cancel the elections in the entire
country or a specific state or constituency on the grounds that the
atmosphere is vitiated. It can order re-poll and also recount of votes when it
feels that the counting process has not been just and fair.
Q.6 Explain the proportional representation system of Israel in brief.
Ans. In Israel, once the votes are counted, each party is allotted the share
of seats in the parliament in proportion to its share of votes. Each party fills
its quotas of seats by picking those many of its nominees from a preference
list that has been declared before the elections. This system of elections is
a type of proportional representation system. In Israel, the entire country is
treated as one constituency and seats are allotted to each party according
to its share of votes in the national election. This allows even smaller
parties with very small support base to get representation in the legislature.
(A party must get a minimum of 3.25% votes to be eligible to get seats in
the legislature).
