Ch- 4 Electoral Politics

1.Define Elections
Ans-It is a mechanism by which people can choose their representatives at regular intervals,
And change them if they wish to do so.
2.What is a constituency?
Ans- For elections the entire country is divided into fixed electoral areas with a body of
Registered voters . These areas are called constituencies.
3.What are General elections?
Ans- The lok sabha and the Vidhan Sabhas in the states are normally elected after every
five years which is known as the General elections.
4.What are By elections?
Ans- If a representative from a constituency dies while in office ,or if the office falls vacant
because of reason like resignation fresh elections are held in that particular constituency
Such an elections is called a By election
5. What are Mid term Elections?
Ans- If the Lok sabha or any of the State Assemblies (vidhan Sabha ) is dissolved before
the expiry of its full term ,and elections are held to constitute a new house, it is called
mid term elections.
6. What is reserved Constituency?
Ans- Some Constituencies are reserved for people who belong to the Scheduled caste [SC]
And Scheduled Tribes [ ST] In SC reserved constituency only someone who belongs to the
Scheduled Caste can contest for election.
7. Explain Universal adult franchise.
Ans- Every citizen of India who is 18 years of age or above has the right to vote without any
Discrimination of caste ,creed ,colour, sex, religion etc
8 Who is M.P?
Ans- The representative elected from each constituency is called a Member of Parliament.
9.What is election campaign?
Ans- The election campaign is the set of activities candidates and political parties use to seek support of
electors to win political offices.
10. What is Election code of conduct?
Ans- A set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political parties and contesting candidates during
election time.
11. What is EVM?
Ans- It is an Electronic voting Machine (EVM) which is used to record votes. The machine shows the
names of the candidates and the symbols.
12. What is Election Commission?
Ans- The entire process of elections in our country is conducted , controlled and supervised by an
independent body called the election commission.
13. Who appoints the Chief election Commissioner ?
Ans- The President of India.
14. What makes elections in India democratic?
Ans- (i) An independent Election commission – In our country elections are conducted by an
independent and very powerful Election commission (EC). It enjoys the same kind of independence that
the judiciary enjoys.
(ii) Popular Participation- In India the poor illiterate and underprivileged people vote in larger proportion
as compared to the rich and the privileged sections. This is in contrast to western democracies. For
example In USA poor African Americans and Hispanics vote much less than the rich and the white
people.
(iii) Acceptance of election outcome- The outcome of India’s elections speaks for itself. The ruling
parties routinely lose elections in India both at the national and the state levels . In fact in every two
out of the three elections held in the last fifteen years, the ruling party lost.
(iv) Regular elections- In India the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections are held regularly after every
five years. After five years the term of all the elected representatives comes to an end.
15.Why do we need election?
Ans- (i) Elections are essential for representative democracy.
(ii)Elections help the people to choose their representatives.
(iii) Elections help the people to change their representatives if they don’t work as per their wishes.
16. For how much period can election campaign take place?
Ans- Two weeks
17. What is the another name of Electoral list or electoral roll?
Ans-Voters list
18.In to how many constituencies India is divided?
Ans- For Lok Sabha Elections , the country is divided into 543 constituencies.
19.Explain the election procedure.
(i) Announcement of dates- The election procedure starts with the announcement of dates.
(ii)Nomination by the candidates- After the announcement of dates the candidates file their nomination
papers.
(iii)Scrutinizing of nomination papers-The nomination papers are scrutinized on the fixed date. The
incomplete or incorrect papers are rejected by the commission.
(iv) Withdrawl of nomination- The candidate are given a date for the withdrawal of their names.
(v) Publication of the final list- After the withdrawal the final list is printed. Election symbols are allotted
to the candidates.
(vi) Election campaign- When the list of the eligible candidates gets printed by the returning
officer, the different political parties launch their election campaigns to canvas for their
candidates.
(vii) Polling- Public holiday is declared on the election day, so that each voter may exercise his
vote.
(viii) Counting of votes- After the election is over, the counting personals are appointed by the
election officer, who at the fixed place and at the fixed time starts their counting work in the
presence of the returning officer or the ROM.
(ix)Declaration of Results-After the counting of votes is over, the Election officer declares the
candidates getting the maximum voters elected.
(x)Ordering of re-poll
20. Explain the major challenges to free and fair elections.
Ans- (i) Use of money – Candidates and parties with a lot of money may not be sure of their
victory, but they do enjoy big and unfair advantages over smaller parties and independence.
(ii) Criminals and Politics- 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 the
major parties.
(iii) Nepotism- some families tend to dominate political parties; tickets are distributed to
relatives from these families.
(iv) Corrupt Politicians- Most of the candidates are corrupt, and very often, elections offer little choice
to ordinary citizens.
21. Explain the role of the Election Commission in free and fair elections.
Ans. Functions of the Election Commission of India:
(i)Allotment of Election Symbols: The political parties of national standing are allotted permanent
election symbols. These symbols help even an ordinary man to recognize the different parties instantly.
(ii) Preparation of Electoral Rolls: Electoral rolls are prepared in which the name, father’s name, age and
sex of the voters are clearly mentioned.
(iii) Delimitation of Constituencies: the whole area where elections are held, is divided into so many
clear-cut constituencies, so that elections are held in an organized way.
(iv) Fixing the Election Dates: the election date is announced so that the voters could easily cast their
votes on that particular date.
(v) Scrutiny of Nomination papers: the candidates willing to contest the elections have to file the
nominations up to a particular date. Then the Election Commission scrutinizes their papers and accepts
or rejects the nomination papers as the case may be.
(vi) Checking undue interference of the Party-in –power: important duty of the Election Commission is to
see that the party in power does in no way take an advantage over the parties or individuals.
22.. What is ballot paper ? Name the machine by which these papers have been replaced?
Ans- A ballot paper is a sheet of paper on which the names of the contesting candidates along with the
party name symbols are listed. These are being replaced by the electronic voting machines.
23.What is rigging?
Ans Fraud and malpractices indulged by a party or candidate to increase its votes. It includes stuffing
ballot boxes by a few persons using the votes by the same person and bribing or coercing polling officers
to favor a candidate.
24. Distinguish between general elections and by elections.
Ans.
General Elections By elections
1. The elections conducted in all the If an elected candidate dies or seat falls vacant due
constituencies at the same time, either to resignation then fresh elections are held in that
on the same day or within a few days particular constituency alone. Such an election is
to elect representatives is known as called by-election.
the general elections.
2. Such elections are held after every five 2.These elections can be held any time
years. when required.
3. These elections are held to form the 3.These are held to fill vacant seat.
new government.

25. Mention any three provisions of a model Code of Conduct for election campaigns.
Ans. According to this
(i) No party or candidate can use any place of worship for election propaganda.
(ii) Use government vehicles, aircrafts and officials for elections.
(iii) Once elections are announced, ministers shall not lay foundation stones of any projects,
take any big policy decisions or make any promises of providing public facilities.
26. How does our Election Law regulate campaigns?
Ans. It is necessary to regulate campaign to ensure that every political party and candidate gets a fair
and equal chance to compete. According to our election law, no party or candidate can:
(a) Bribe or threaten voters.
(b) Appeal to them in the name of caste and religion.
(c) Use government resources for election campaigns.
(d) Spend more than Rs. 25 lakhs in a constituency for a Lok Sabha election or Rs. 10 lakhs in a
constituency in an Assembly election.