Electoral Politics - Anil Tutorials...2 Electoral Politics D-156, Sector-5, Devendra Nagar Raipur,...

Electoral Politics 1

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WHY ELECTIONS

1. To which party did Choudhary Devi Lal belong ?

Ans. Lok Dal.

2. Give good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic.

Ans. In India free and fair elections are held at regular intervals.

3. Give a reason for conducting elections.

Ans. To elect people’s representative to form government.

4. Who led the movement called ‘Nyaya Yudh’ (Struggle for Justice) and formed a new party called Lok

Dal ?

Ans. Chaudhary Devi Lal

5. Write a feature of representative democracy.

Ans. People decide who will represent them in the Parliament.

6. Why elections are considered essential for any representative democracy? Give three reasons. (CBSE 2013)

Ans. (1) A rule of the people is possible only with elections. It is not possible that all the people can sit together everyday and take all the decisions directly. Therefore, in most democracies, people rule through their

representatives. In an election, people can choose their representatives who will make laws for them.

(2) People can choose who will form the government and take major decisions.

(3) Through an election, voters can choose the party whose policies will guide the government and law-

making.

7. Explain any three indicators which prove the quality of elections in India.

Ans. The following indicators prove the quality of elections in India :

(1) Everyone should have one vote and every vote should have equal value. That is, everyone should be able

to choose.

(2) Parties and candidates should be free to contest elections and should offer some real choice to the voters.

(3) Elections must be held regularly after every few years.

(4) The candidate preferred by the people should get elected.

(5) Elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner where people can choose as they really wish.

8. Describe any four demerits of an electoral competition. (CB

OrState any three demerits of electoral competition in India. (CBSE

2012)

Ans. (1) Political parties and leaders level allegations against each other.

(2) Political parties and candidates often use tricks to win elections which devaluates electoral competition.

(3) Electoral competition creates a sense of disunity and factionalism in every locality.

(4) Under pressure to win elections, political parties and candidates do not bother to formulate sensible long

term policies.

(5) Good people who may wish to serve the country are reluctant to enter politics because they do not like

unhealthy electoral competition.

9. Why do we need elections ? Mention any three demerits of an electoral competition. (CBSE 2011)

Electoral Politics

2 Electoral Politics


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Ans. (1) We need elections because it is a mechanism by which people choose their representatives at regular

intervals and change them, if they wish to do so. Therefore, elections are considered essential for

representative democracy.

(2) Following are the demerits of an electoral competition : For answer see Q. No. 8.

10. Name the movement led by Chaudhary Devi Lal of Haryana in 1987. What promise did he maketo Iurethe voters before election ? Which political party did he form ? (CBSE, 2012)

Ans. (1) The movement led by Chaudhary Devi Lal in 1987 was called ‘Nyaya Yudh’.

(2) In the election campaign, he promised that if his party won, his government would waive the loans of the

farmers and small businessmen.

(3) He formed a political party called ‘Lok Dal’.

11. Explain the importance of elections in a democratic country in any three points .(CBSE 2013)

Ans. In a democratic country elections are important because :

(1) In a modern democracy, people can’t take part in the administration directly. Only their representatives can

perform this function. So, to choose them election is must.

(2) It provides opportunities to the people to elect the representatives of their choice to run the government.

(3) Elections provide control in the hands of the people to choose a fair and favourable government.

12. Why is it not possible in modern democracies to establish rule of the people without any elections ?

Explain. CBSE 2012)

Ans. In modern democracies, it is not possible to establish rule of the people without any elections because :

(1) The number of the people is very large who can’t sit together everyday and take all the decisions.

(2) Everyone does not have the time and knowledge to take decisions.

(3) This problem can be solved through regular election which is a democratic way to select representatives.

13. Explain any three minimum conditions which are required for democratic elections. (CBSE 2012)Or

Mention any three minimum conditions of a democratic election.

Ans. Following are the minimum conditions which are required to make election democratic:

(1) Everyone should be able to choose. Every one should have one vote and every vote should have equal

value.

(2) There should be some thing to choose from. Parties and candidates should offer choice to voters.

(3) The choice should be offered at regular intervals, Elections must be held regularly after every few years.

(4) The candidate preferred by the people should get elected.

(5) Elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner where people can choose as they really wish.

WHAT IS OUR SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS ?1. What does ‘Reserved Constituency’ mean ?Ans. It means the constituency reserved for S.C., S.T., O.B.Cs and women.2. What is the voter’s list officially called ?Ans. Electoral roll.3. The slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’ was given by which party during the Lok Sabha elections of 1971 ?Ans. Congress Party [Indian National Congress(I)].4. India is divided into how many Lok Sabha constituencies ?Ans. 5435. How many states are there in India ?Ans. 28


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6. Name the election which is held only for one constituency to fall the vacancy caused by death or resignation ofa member.

Ans. By-election

7. What is the tenure of Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha ?

Ans. 5 years

8. On what basis are the boundaries of a constituency decided ?

Ans. The size of population.

9. What does reserved constituencies ensure ?

Ans. It ensures proper representation to the weaker sections of society.

10. What is the number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes in the Lok Sabha ?

Ans. 79

11. What is the Electoral Roll ?

Ans. The list of those who are eligible to vote.

12. What is the minimum age of voters in India ?

Ans. 18 years

13. Which State has the largest Vidhan Sabha in the country ?

Ans. Uttar Pradesh

14. Which state has the largest Lok Sabha constituency in India ?Ans. Uttar Pradesh

15. What is meant by General Election ?

Ans. Elections held in all constituencies at the same time.

16. What is the total time period for election campaign in India between the announcement of the final list of

candidates and the date of polling ?

Ans. Two weeks

17. What is the spending limit for a candidate consisting Lok Sabha elections ?

Ans. Spending less than 25 lakhs.

18. According to the direction of the Supreme Court, write any one declaration that every candidate has to make.

Ans. His/Her educational qualification.

19. What is the age of a person who can contest election of Lok Sabha in India ?

Ans. 25 years

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

Ans. Indira Gandhi

21. What the set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political parties and candidates during elections is

called?

Ans. Code of conduct

22. Which party gave the slogan ‘Save Democracy’ ?

Ans. Janata Party

23. What are constituencies ? How many constituencies are there in India for Lok Sabha ? What is the basis of thedivision of these constituencies ? (CBSE 2013)

Ans. (1) The country is divided into different areas for purposes of elections. These areas are called electoral

constituencies.

(2) There are 543 constituencies in India for the Lok Sabha.



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(3) The basis of the division of these constituencies is a roughly equal population living within it.

24. In India, who can vote in an election ? Who can be denied the right to vote ? Who is responsible for

updation of voter’s list ? (CBSE 2013)

Ans. (1) In our country, all the Citizens aged 18 years and above can vote in an election.

(2) Some criminals and persons with unsound mind can be denied the right to vote, but only in rare situations.

(3) Election Commission of India on behalf of the government is responsible for updation of voter’s list.

25. Explain the meaning of electoral constituencies.

Ans. (1) 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.

(2) The constituency is divided on the basis of a roughly equal population living within it.

(3) The voters who live in an area elect one representative. For Lok Sabha elections, the country is divided into543 constituencies. The representative elected from each constituency is called a Member of Parliament oran MP.

26. What are the contents of legal declaration to be made by the candidates for contesting the electionin India ? (CBSE 2013)

Ans. These are the contents of legal declaration to be made by the candidates for contesting the elections in India

(1) Whether there are serious criminal cases pending against the candidate;

(2) Details of the assets and liabilities of the candidate and his or her family; and

(3) Educational qualifications of the candidate.

This information provides an opportunity to the voters to make their decision on the basis of the information

provided by the candidates.

27. Mention any three slogans used by different political parties at the time of election and the

purpose behind them. (CBSE 2013)

Ans. These are the popular slogans used by different political parties at the time of election and the purpose

behind them :

(1) Garibi Hatao (Remove poverty) : This slogan was given by Indira Gandhi who led Congress Party in the

Lok Sabha election of 1971.

(2) The Congress Party promised to reorient all the policies of the government to remove poverty from the

country.

(3) Save Democracy : This slogan was given by the Janta Party in the Lok Sabha election of 1977. The party

promised to undo the excesses committed during Emergency and restore civil liberties.

(4) Nyaya Yudh (Struggle for Justice) : This slogan was given by the Lok Dal of Mr. Devi Lal in the HaryanaState-assembly election of 1987. He promised to raise social and economic condition of poor and downtroddenpeople of the State. Mr. Devi Lal said if his party won the elections, his government would waive the loans

of farmers and small businessmen.

28. What is a reserved constituency ? Why did India introduce this system ? (CBSE 2013)

OrWhy did the makers of Indian Constitution provide us with a system of reserved constituencies ? Explain.

(CBSE 2011)

OrWhat are ‘Reserved Constituencies’ ? Why was the system reserved constituencies introduced in India ?

(CBSE2013)

Or


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Or

State any three reasons for the system of Reserved Constituencies introduced by the Constitution makers of

India ? (CBSE 2012)

Ans. (1) For the purpose of election, the whole country is divided into pockets called constituencies. When any

constituency is reserved for people belonging to SCs and STs, such a constituency is known as Reserved

Constituency.

(2) Following are the reasons that the Indian Constitution made the provision of reserved constituency :

(i) The Constitution makers were worried that certain weaker sections may not stand a good chance to get

elected to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.

(ii) The weaker sections may not have required resources and education to contest and win elections againstothers.

(iii) Those who are influential and resourceful may prevent them from winning elections.

(iv) If they do not contest and win elections, our democracy will become less representative and less democratic.

29. What are reserved constituencies ? Explain the concept of ‘reservation of seats’ by giving any three suitable

arguments. (CBSE 2013)

Ans. (1) When any constituency is reserved for people belonging to SCs and STs, such a constituency is known as

Reserved Constituency.

(2) Following arguments explain the concept of ‘reservation of seats’ :

(i) The constitution-makers were worried that certain weaker sections may not stand a good chance to get

elected to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.

(ii) The weaker sections may not have sufficient resources to win elections against the resourceful and influential

persons.

(iii) In such situations, if the reservation is not provided, our Parliament and Assemblies would become deprived

of the voice of a significant section of our population.

30. Define elections. Explain the nomination process as practiced in Indian elections. (CBSE 2011)

Ans. (1) Election is a process by which we choose our representatives, who will further make policies and rule our

country.

(2) Following are the ways in which nomination process is practiced in Indian elections :

(i) The political parties distribute tickets to the popular candidates who they think may win the elections.

The candidate who gets ticket, files nomination before related officer by filling nomination form.(iii) A certain amount is deposited by the contesting candidate as security. The officers scrutinise the nomination

papers filed by the candidates.

31. How does our election law regulate campaigns ? (CBSE 2011)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 laws, no party or candidate can :

(1) bribe or threaten voters to cast votes in its favour.

(2) appeal to voters to cast their votes in the name of cast or religion.

(3) use any of the government resources like vehicles, officials, etc. for election campaigns.

(4) spend more than a fixed amount i.e., 25 lakhs for a Lok Sabha constituency election and 10 lakhs for a

constituency in an Assembly election.

32. What is Model Code of Conduct in Indian electoral System ? Mention its chief elements. (CBSE 2011)

OrState three restrictions for any political party or candidate according to Code of Conduct to ensure free and fairelection. (CBSE 2012)



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Ans. (1) A set of norms, as prescribed by the Election Commission, to be followed by political parties and contesting

candidates during election time is called ‘Model Code of Conduct’.

(2) Following are some features of this code of conduct:

(i) Parties and candidates are not allowed to use any place of worship for their election campaign.

(ii) They are not allowed to use government resources like vehicles, officials, aircrafts etc. for the purpose of

election campaign.

(iii)They (especially those in power i.e., in the present government) are not allowed to undertake any new

projects or take any big policy decision till the election process is over.

33. What is Secret Ballot System ? Give three reasons why Secret Ballot System is good ? (CBSE 2011)

Ans. (1) Secret Ballot System refers to a voting system where in a ballot paper is used to cast vote. The vote is cast

in such a manner that nobody knows whom the voter has cast his/her vote to.

(2) Following are the reasons that make Secret Ballot System good :

(i) Voter casts his/her vote without any fear of getting identified by the rivals.

(ii) This system prevents any pressure on the voter to cast vote in favour of any particular party or candidate.

(iii) This system enables voters to change the government by casting their votes fearlessly.

34. What is an electoral roll ? Write two qualifications of a voter in India. (CBSE 2012 )

Ans. (1) Electoral Roll : It is the list of those citizens who are eligible to cast their votes in an election. It is also

known as the voters’ list.

(2) Following are the qualifications of a voter :

(i) All the citizens aged 18 years and above are eligible to cast their votes in an election. Their names should be

given in voters’ list.

(ii) Every voter should have a proof of identify.

35. Differentiate between a general constituency and a reserved constituency. What do we call a member who iselected for the state legislature directly by the people ?

Ans. (1)

(2) A member elected by the people directly to the state legislature is called an MLA (Member ofLegislative Assembly).

36. What is Universal Adult Franchise ? Why has it been adopted in India ? (CBSE 2012)

General constituency(i) It is a constituency where in all the registered

voters are eligible to contest elections without anydiscrimination.

(ii) There are 423 general constituencies in the Lok

Sabha.

Reserved constituency(i) It is a constituency where in only Scheduled

Castes and Scheduled Tribes are eligible to contest elections.

(ii) There are 120 reserved constituencies — 79 SC41 ST in the Lok Sabha.


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Ans. (1) Universal Adult Franchise : All adult citizens have the right to vote and the value of votes is same for all.This is known as universal adult franchise.

(2) It has been adopted in India because it :

(i) provides an equal opportunity to the voters to choose their representatives.(ii) establishes a fair and true democratic government.

(iii) makes a responsible government.

37. What is a ballot paper ? Name the machine that has replaced it. How is this machine better than a ballot

paper ? (CBSE 2012)

Ans. (1) A ballot paper is a sheet of paper on which the names of the contesting candidates along with party names

and symbols are listed.

(2) These days, it has been replaced by Electronic Voting Machine (EVM).,

(3) It avoids mal-practices and saves lot of time in counting the votes. It is easy to carry and handle.

38. What are the three legal declarations to be made by every candidate at the time of nomination as per direction

of the Supreme Court ? (CBSE 2012)

Or

What are the three major legal declarations which a candidate has to make at the time of filing a nomination

form in election ? (CBSE 2013)

Ans. Following are the legal declarations to be made by every candidate at the time of filing nomination as per

direction of the Supreme Court :

(1) Serious criminal cases pending against the candidates.

(2) Details of the assets and liabilities of candidate and his or her family.

(3) Educational qualifications of the candidates.

39. Describe the procedure of nomination of a candidate to contest in a particular election. (CBSE 2013)

Ans. Following are the procedures of the nomination of a candidate to contest a particular election:

(1) Every person who wishes to contest an election has to fill a nomination form.

(2) He/she has to deposit a security amount fixed by the Election Commission.

(3) He/she has to file an affidavit regarding the details of property and asset and liabilities. Besides it, candidate

has to produce criminal records if any against him/her.

(4) This is followed by the scrutinizing of nomination papers.

40. Why is it necessary to have free and open discussion in an election campaign ? Explain. (CBSE 2013)

Ans. During the election campaign, it is necessary to have a free and open discussion because :

(1) The main purpose of election is to give people a chance to choose the representatives, the government and

the policies they prefer.

(2) It is necessary to discuss about who is a better representative, which party will make a better government

or what is a good policy.

(3) In election campaigns, political parties try to focus public attention on some big issues.

41. Describe the activities that take place in and outside an election booth on the election day. (CBSE 2012)

Or

What happens on the day of election outside and inside the polling booth ? Describe, (CBSE 2013)

Ans. Foliowing activities take place in and outside on election booth on the election day :

(1) On the election day every person whose name is on the voter’s list goes to the nearby allotted booth.(2) The voter goes inside the booth where the election officers identify her/him put a mark on her/him finger

and allow him/her to cast vote.



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(3) An agent of every party sits inside the booth to see that election takes place smoothly and in a fair way.(4) Outside the booth, representatives of various parties/candidates have their own stalls to help the voters

and indirectly win them over.

WHAT MAKES ELECTIONS IN INDIA DEMOCRATIC ?1. Who conducts the elections in India ?Ans. The Election Commission of India

2. Mention any provision that ensures fair and equal chance to compete to candidates and political parties.

Ans. All parties and candidates have to follow the model code of conducts.3. When government officers work in election duty, under whom control do they work ?Ans. The Election Commission4. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner in India ?Ans. The President of India5. In our country, who conducts elections ?Ans. The Election Commission

6. Which is the new reform introduced in the electroral process by the Election Commission ?

Ans. Electronic Voting Machine7. What makes election in India democratic ?Ans. Independent Election Commission.8. Who appoints the members of Election Commission ?Ans. The President of India9. To whom the Chief Election Commissioner is answerable ?Ans. Not to any person but to the Law of Land.

10. What does turnout figure mean ?

Ans. Percentage of eligible voters who actually cast their votes.

11. Describe any three unfair practices which are adopted during elections ? (CBSE 2013)

Ans. Following are the unfair practices which are adopted during elections :(1) Booth capturing : Supporters or hired musclemen of party or a candidate gain physical control of a polling

booth and caste false votes by threatening everyone or by preventing genuine voter from reaching thepolling booth.

(2) Rigging : Sometimes a party or candidate is involved in fraud and malpractices to stay ahead of the others.It includes stuffing ballot boxes by a few persons using the votes of others, recording multiple votes by the

same person; and bribing or coercing polling officers to favour a candidate.

(3) Luring the voters : At times, day before the election is conducted, a party or candidate distributes

money and liquor among the voters to obtain their favour on the day of election.

(4) Caste/Religion based sentimental appeals : At times, the candidates appeal to the voters in the nameof caste and religion. Such appeals, sometimes, have been seen to work. This lessens the quality of

democratic elections.

(5) Use of government resources : Many a times, it has been seen that the party in power uses various

government resources in the elections.

12. Explain any three characteristics of popular participation in the election process of India. (CBSE 2013)

Ans. Following are the characteristics of popular participation in the election process of India :

(1) Popular participation in election is usually measured by voter’s turnout in the election. In India, the turnout

has either remained stable or actually gone up.


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(2) In India the poor, illiterate and underprivileged people vote in larger proportion as compared to the rich and

privileged sections. This proves to be a contrast to western democracies. .

(3) Common people in India attach a lot of importance to elections.

(4) In India, common people feel that through elections they can bring pressure on political parties to adopt

policies and programmes favourable to them.

(5) The interest of voters in election related activities has been increasing over the years. During the 2004

elections, more than one-third voters took part in a campaign-related activities.

13. Mention any three demerits of electoral competition ? (CBSE 2013)

Ans. Following are the demerits of electoral competition :

(1) Candidates/Parties use money excessive to the limit accepted by the Election Commission to influence the

voters.

(2) Candidates use to level personal allegations against their opponents. This way, they are doing character

assassination which is both immoral and illegal.

(3) Candidates ask for votes on communal and caste lines that leaves many scars on the social peace and

harmony.

(4) For winning an election, it has been seen that candidates/parties distribute money and liquor among some

sections of voters to influence them.

(5) Some candidates/parties in power use government resourcese.g., manpower, vehicles in their election campaigns.

(6) Candidates/Parties are seen using places of worship for their election campaigns.

14. Describe any four powers of Election Commission of India. (CBSE 2013)

OrDescribe the role of Election Commission in holding free and fair elections in India. (CBSE 2013)

OrDoes the Election Commission of India have sufficient power to conduct free and fair elections. Support youranswer with three arguments. (CBSE 2013)

Ans. The Election Commission of India is an independent and powerful body. It is responsible to conduct free andfair elections in India. Following are the powers enjoyed by the Election Commission of India :(1) Election Commission takes decision on every aspect of conducting and controlling the election procedures

in India.(2) It implements Model Code of Conducts which all political parties and candidate have to follow during

elections.(3) During the election, Election Commission can order the government to follow some guidelines to prevent

use and misuse of governmental power and resources.(4) When on election duty, government officers work under the control of the Election Commission and not the

government.

15. What makes elections in India democratic ? Explain in four points. (CBSE, 2011)Or

Mention any three conditions which make an election democratic. (CBSE 2013)

Ans. Following are the features which make elections in India democratic :

(1) It has an independent and powerful Election Commission which ensures free and fair elections.(2) In India, elections are taken as a festival i.e., large number of people participate to choose the representatives

of their choice.

(3) India enjoys multi-party system. This provides many thoughts and opinions to the people to go with.



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(4) In Indian election, everybody is able to choose and there is always something to choose from.(5) The elections are held at a regulär interval, so the people have the choice to change the government if they

are not happy with its policies.

(6) The outcome of the election is accepted by all parties and people.16. Do you think educational qualification should be necessary for the candidate aspiring to fight elections ? Give

your views in favour or against it. (CBSE 2011)

Ans. No. Educational qualification should not be necessary for the candidate aspiring to fight elections.

(1) Educational qualifications are not relevant to all kinds of job.(2) Relevant qualification for being an MLA or an MP is the ability to understand people’s concerns, problems

and the ways to solve them.(3) Putting an educational qualification would go against the spirit of democracy. Because, it would hamper

people from weaker sections of the society to get elected.(4) If educational qualification was made compulsory, it would mean depriving a majority of the country’s

Citizen to contest elections.

17. What are the limitations and challenges of Indian elections ? Explain any four. (CBSE 2011)Or

State any three challenges to the fair and free elections in India. (CBSE 2013)Or

Explain any three challenges that threaten free and fair elections in India. (CBSE 2012)Ans. Following are the limitations and challenges faced by election System : I Candidates and parties with a lot of

money have an unfair advantage over the smaller parties and independent candidates.

(2) These days many of the political parties use to give tickets to the candidates having criminal records.(3) These days some parties have the dominance of political families within the parties. People from such

political families often give party tickets to their relatives.

(4) Small political parties and independent candidates have many disadvantages compared to bigger parties.(5) Major political parties have quite similar polices, ideologies and practices. This leaves little choice for

people to choose from.

(6) During elections, money and muscle power are frequently used.

(7) The parties in power are often seen to use governmental facilities and resources.18. What is an ‘Election Commission ? Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and how can he/she be

removed ? (CBSE 2013)Ans. (1) In our country, elections are conducted by an independent and very powerful Election Commission. It

enjoys the same kind of independence as the Judiciary enjoys.(2) The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President of India. But once appointed, he is not

answerable to the President or the Government.(3) Even if the ruling party or the Government does not like the Chief Election Commissioner, it is virtually

impossible for it to remove the CEC.19. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India ? What powers are exercised by the Election Commission

of India ? (CBSE 2012)Ans. (1) The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President of India. (2) Following powers are exercised

by the Election Commission of India :(i) EC takes decision from announcement to declaration of election results.(ii) It implements Code of Conduct and punishes if any party violates it.(iiii) EC can order government to follow some guidelines to prevent misuse of power. It can transfer officials

etc. When on election duty, government officers work under EC and not the government.


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20. How has the interest of the voters in the election-related activities increased in recent years in India ?(CBSE 2012)

Ans. (1) The interest of the voters in the election-related activities has been increasing over the year.

(2) During the 2004 elections, more than one-third voters took part in a campaign — related activities.

(3) More than half of the people identified themselves as being close to one or the other political parties.

(4) One out of every seven voters is a member of a political party.21. “One final test of the free and fairness of election lies in the outcome itself. Justify the statement with the help

of the outcomes of India’s elections. (CBSE 2012)Ans. Outcomes of India’s elections justify the statement in the following ways :

(1) The ruling parties routinely lose elections in India both at the national and state levels. In fact in every two

out of the three elections held in the last fifteen years, the ruling party lost.(2) Candidates who are known to have spent a lot of money on ‘buying votes’ and those with known criminal

connections often lose elections.

(3) Barring very few disputed elections, the electoral outcomes are usually accepted as ‘peoples’ verdict’ by

defeated party.

22. Highlight any three issues which bring many limitations and challenges of Indian elections to our attention.

(CBSE 2012)

Ans. Important issues are following :

(1) Candidates and parties with lot of money enjoy a big and unfair advantage over smaller parties or independent

candidates.

(2) Candidates with criminal records have been able to push others out of electoral race and secure a ticket

from major parties.

(3) Some families tend to dominate political parties and secure tickets for their own family members.

(4) Smaller parties and independents suffer a huge disadvantage compared to bigger parties.

23. Sunita is an officer in-charge for ensuring free and fair elections. What should she focus on during the following

stages of elections ? (CBSE 2012)

(1) Election campaign, (2) Polling day, (3) Counting of votes.

Ans. (1) (i) She should ensure that every political party and candidate gets free and fair chance.

(ii) No party or candidate threatens or bribes the voters.(iii) No one uses government resources for election campaign.

(iv) None of the candidates spends more money than specified.

(2) (i) Identification of voters is properly checked.

(ii) Candidate or party does not force any voter.

(iii) Mark is applied on each voters’ finger.

(iv) EVMs are sealed properly.

(3) (i) All EVMs are opened and votes are counted.

(ii) Counting is done properly.

VALUE BASED QUESTIONS1. “During elections many political parties and candidates take resort to illegal means to win.” In the light of

above statement, name the values and rights that are ignored.

Ans. (i) Moral values are ignored.

(ii) People are deprived of chosing candidate of their choice.

(iii) Faith in democracy is affected.



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(iv) The spirit of free and fair election is ignored.

(v) Provision to provide fair chance to get elected is ignored.

2. “Elections are held and a number of voters cast their votes to elect their representatives.” Raghav was a

witness to the whole election process. What things he has to look for so that he could check for the quality ofthe election process ?

Ans. (i) Voter’s enthusiasm.

(ii) Fairness of the Casting of votes.

(iii) Turnout of the poor and illiterate voters.

3. “Reservation had been a hot issue of discussion since years.”

Do you think there should be reservation with regard to election to the Parliament and State Legislative

Assemblies ? Why ?

Ans. (i) Yes. There should be reservation for the deprived classes and women.

(ii) They constitute majority of our country’s population but are not sufficiently represented.

(iii) In true democracy, every section should have the right to represent itself fairly.

(iv) They should have a say in the decision and law-making process.

(v) It will bring to them political equality, the essence of our Constitution.

Electoral Politics - Anil Tutorials...2 Electoral Politics D-156, Sector-5, Devendra Nagar Raipur,...

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Transcript of Electoral Politics - Anil Tutorials...2 Electoral Politics D-156, Sector-5, Devendra Nagar Raipur,...