CH3.

Electoral Politics
Q1. Match the following:
(a) It is necessary to keep the voters' list up to (i) there is a fair representation of all sections of
date because our society

(b) Some constituencies are reserved for SCs (ii) everyone has equal opportunity to elect their
and STs so that representatives

(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 (iv) some people may have moved away from the
government vehicles because area where they voted last

Ans.
(a) It is necessary to keep the voters' list up to (iv) some people may have moved away from the
date because area where they voted last

(b) Some constituencies are reserved for SCs (i) there is a fair representation of all sections of
and STs so that our society

(c) Everyone has one and only one vote so (ii) everyone has equal opportunity to elect their
that representatives

(d) Party in power is not allowed to use (iii) all candidates must have a fair chance of
government vehicles because competing in elections

Q2. 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.
Ans. Making of voters’ list → Announcing election schedule → Releasing election manifesto →
Election campaign → Filing nomination → Casting of votes → Ordering of re-poll → Counting of
votes → Declaration of election results.
EXTRA Q’s
Q1. What do you understand by party ticket?
Ans. Party’s nomination of a candidate is often called party ‘ticket’
Q2.What is meant by rigging?
Ans. Fraud and malpractices indulged by a party or candidate to increase its votes, in an election is
called rigging.
• Using the votes of others.
• Recording multiple votes by the same person.
• Bribing polling officers to favour a candidate are considered as rigging during elections.
Q3. Why do we need elections?
OR
In an election the voters make many choices. Explain it.
Ans. Elections are essential for any representative democracy. In an election the voters have many
choices.
They are:- • They can choose the people who will make laws.
• They can choose the government that will rule them.
• They can decide on the party whose policies they prefer.
• Voters will choose the people who will be the part of the government and take major decisions.
• Voters will choose or prefer the political party on the basis of its previous performance.
• Voters want to choose a perfect leader for our society.
• They want to choose a right person.

Q4. How many constituencies do we have in India?

Ans. India is divided into 543 constituencies for Lok Sabha elections. The representative elected
from each constituency is called a Member of Parliament.
Similarly, each state is divided into a number of Assembly constituencies, depending on its
population and it size. The elected representative of the State Assembly constituencies is called
the Member of Legislative Assembly or an MLA.
Each Parliamentary constituency has several Assembly constituencies.

Q5. What are the demerits of political competition?

Ans. An electoral competition has many demerits:
1. It creates a sense of disunity and ‘factionalism’ in every locality.
2. Different political parties and leaders often level allegations against one another.
3. Parties and candidates often use dirty tricks to win elections.
4. Some good people who may wish to serve the country do not enter this arena. They do not like
the idea of being dragged into unhealthy competition.
5. Political parties may sometimes be misused by party members to abuse their powers and
misuse other members of the party.

Q6.What makes an election democratic?

Ans. The minimum conditions of a democratic election:
First, everyone should be able to choose.
This means that everyone should have one vote.
Second, every vote should have equal value.
Third, there should be something to choose from.
Parties and candidates should be free to contest elections and should offer some real choice to the
voters.
Fourth, the choice should be offered at regular intervals.
Elections must be held regularly after every few years.
Fifth, the candidate preferred by the people should get elected.
Sixth, elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner where people can choose as they
really wish.

Q7. Define ‘Voters List’.

Ans. In a democratic election, the list of those who are eligible to vote is prepared much before the
election and given to everyone. This list is officially called the Electoral Roll and is commonly
known as the ‘Voters List’.

Q8.Mention a few successful slogans that were used during election campaigns.
Ans. The most successful slogans used during election campaigns were:-
• Garibi Hatao or Remove poverty.
This slogan was used by the Congress party led by Indira Gandhi in the Lok Sabha elections of
1971. The party promised to remove poverty from the country.
• Save Democracy.
This slogan used by Janata Party in the Lok Sabha election held in 1977. The party promised to
undo the excesses committed during Emergency and restore civil liberties.
• Land to the Tiller.
This slogan was used by the Left Front in the West Bengal Assembly elections held in 1977.
• Protect the Self-Respect of the Telugus.
This slogan used by N. T. Rama Rao, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh
Assembly elections in 1983.

Q9. What are Reserved Constituencies?

Ans. A special system of reserved constituencies for the weaker sections. Some constituencies are
reserved for people who belong to the Scheduled Castes [SC] and Scheduled Tribes [ST]. In a SC
reserved constituency only someone who belongs to the Scheduled Castes can stand for election.
Similarly only those belonging to the Scheduled Tribes can contest an election from a constituency
reserved for ST. Currently, in the Lok Sabha, 84 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes and 47
for the Scheduled Tribes (as on 1 September 2012). This number is in proportion to their share in
the total population. Thus the reserved seats for SC and ST do not take away the legitimate share
of any other social group.

Q10. What is Security Deposit in election?

Ans. Every person who wishes to contest an election has to fill a ‘nomination form’ and give some
money as ‘security deposit’.
Q11.What is electoral constituencies?
Ans. In our country we follow an area based system of representation. The country is divided into
different areas for purposes of elections. These areas are called electoral constituencies. The
voters who live in an area elect one representative.
Q12.What is our system of elections?
Ans. Elections for the Lok sabha are held every 5 years. After 5 years the term of all the elected
representatives comes to an end. The Lok Sabha stands ‘dissolved’.
Elections for the Lok Sabha are held in all constituencies on the same day or within a few days. This
is called a general election.
Sometimes election is held only for one constituency to fill the vacancy caused by death or
resignation of a member. This is called a by-election.

Q13. Write a brief note on role and power of the Election Commission.
Ans. The Election Commission is independent and very powerful. It enjoys the same kind of
independence that the judiciary enjoys.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President of India.
He heads the Election Commission.
After his election the CEC is not answerable to the President or the government.
It is impossible for the government to remove the CEC, even if it is dissatisfied with him.
The powers of the Election Commission of India are as follows:-
• EC takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections from the announcement
of elections to the declaration of results.
• It implements the Code of Conduct and punishes any candidate or party that violates it
• During the election period, the EC can order the government to follow some guidelines, to
prevent use and misuse of governmental power to enhance its chances to win elections, or to
transfer some government officials
• When on election duty, government officers work under the control of the EC and not the
government.
Q14.What should a citizen do if he or she wants to contest the elections?
Ans. Every person who wishes to contest an election has to fill a ‘nomination form’ and pay a
‘security deposit’. They are requested to present a declaration.
The legal declaration has to have the following details:-
1. Details of any serious criminal cases pending against them. (If applicable)
2. Details of the assets and liabilities they have and that of their family members.
3. Educational qualifications.
This information will be made public. This provides an opportunity to the voters to voice their
objections, if any, and make the right decision during elections.
Q15. What code of conduct and guidelines are according to our election law for a party and
candidate?
Ans. According to our election law, no party or candidate can:
1. Bribe or threaten voters;
2. Appeal to them in the name of caste or religion;
3. Use government resources for election campaign; and
4. Spend more than Rs. 25 lakh in a constituency for a Lok Sabha election or Rs. 10 lakh in a
constituency in an Assembly election.
Q16. What are the Challenges to free and fair elections in India?
Ans. 1.Candidates and parties with a lot of money may not be sure of their victory but they do
enjoy a big and unfair advantage over smaller parties and independents.
2. In some parts of the country, candidates with criminal connection have been able to push others
out of the electoral race and to secure a ‘ticket’ from major parties.
3. Some families tend to dominate political parties; tickets are distributed to relatives from these
families.
4. Very often elections offer little choice to ordinary citizens, for both the major parties are quite
similar to each other both in policies and practice.
5. Smaller parties and independent candidates suffer a huge disadvantage compared to bigger
parties.

Some Important Terms : -

1. Incumbent: The current holder of a political office. Usually the choice for the voters in
elections is between the incumbent party or candidate and those who oppose them.
 2. Turnout: The percentage of eligible voters who cast their votes in an election.
3. Code of Conduct: A set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political parties and
contesting candidates during election time.
4. Constituency: Voters in a geographical area who elect a representative to the legislative
bodies
MCQ’s
1. How many seats are reserved in the Lok Sabha for the Scheduled Tribes?
(a) 47 (b) 60 (c) 84 (d) 100
2. Our country is divided into
(a) 500 constituencies (b) 543 constituencies (c) 550 constituencies (d) 552 constituencies
3. The minimum age required for being a voter is:
(a) 25 years (b) 21 years (c) 18 years (d) 15 years
4. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
(a) The Chief Justice of India (b) The Prime Minister of India
(c) The President of India (d) The Law Minister of India
5. Who led the ‘Nyaya Yudh’?
(a) Chaudhary Charan Singh (b) Chaudhary Devi Lal
(c) Ajit Singh (d) None of these
6. What is meant by the term ‘constituency’?
(a) Place where the copy of constitution is kept
(b) A particular area from where voters elect a representative to the Lok Sabha / Vidhan Sabha
(c) A body of voters
(d) None of the above
7. What is an election held for only one constituency to fill the vacancy caused due to the death
or resignation of a member called?
(a) By-election (b) Mid-term election (c) General election (d) None of these
8. In India, elections for which of these bodies are held after every five years?
(a) Rajya Sabha (b) Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha
(c) Vidhan Parishad (d) Only Lok Sabha
9. For voting, the voter has to show which of these as identity proof?
(a) Ration card (b) Driving license (c) Election Photo Identity Card (d) None of these
10. What is the details the candidates have to give in the legal declaration before contesting the
elections?
(a) Serious criminal cases pending against them
(b) Details of assets and liabilities of the candidate and his or her family
(c) Educational qualification of the candidate
(d) All the above
11. Name the body which conducts the elections in India
(a) Supreme Court (b) Parliament (c) Cabinet (d) Election Commission

12. What does the term ‘incumbent’ mean?

(a) The current holder of a political office (b) The candidate contesting the election
(c) The outgoing candidate of the dissolved House (d) None of the above
13. What is the age of a person who can contest election for the Lok Sabha in India?
(a) 25 years (b) 30 years (c) 35 years (d) 40 years

14. Voter’s List is also known as:

(a) Election Number (b) Voter Identity Card (c) Electoral Roll (d) None of these

15. Who has given the slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’?

(a) Indira Gandhi (b) Rajiv Gandhi (c) Sonia Gandhi (d) Pt. Nehru

16. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

(a) The Chief Justice of India (b) The Prime Minister of India
(c) The President of India (d) The people of India

17. The number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes in the Lok Sabha is:
(a) 59 (b) 79 (c) 84 (d) 99

18. A set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political parties and candidates during
elections is called:
(a) Constituency (b) Rigging (c) Code of conduct (d) Turnout

19. Who is responsible for free and fair elections in India?

(a) Prime Minister (b) President (c) Election Commissioner (d) Council of Ministers

20. ‘‘Save Democracy’’ slogan was given by which of the following political party in 1977 Lok
Sabha elections?
(a) Congress Party (b) Janata Party (c) Telugu Desam Party (d) Left Front

21. 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.

22. 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.