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.
This is false. The judiciary is meant to be independent. Judges are not elected by the people in India; they are appointed. Elections are for choosing the executive (government) and the legislature (representatives), not for evaluating judges.
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.
While this is a fact, it is not a reason for being democratic. A large electorate does not automatically mean an election is democratic. The real reasons are the powerful, independent Election Commission (b), universal adult suffrage (c), and the peaceful acceptance of results by losers (d).
3 Match the following :
| 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 an 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. |
- 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.
- Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that → there is a fair representation of all sections of our society.
- Everyone has one and only one vote so that → everyone has equal opportunity to elect their representative.
- 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.
Answer (in correct time sequence):
- Making of voters’ list.
- Announcing election schedule.
- Filing nomination.
- Releasing election manifestos.
- Election campaign.
- Casting of votes.
- Ordering of re-poll (if needed).
- Counting of votes.
- Declaration of election results.
5 Surekha is an officer in charge of ensuring free and fair elections… Describe what she should focus on:
a. Election campaign
She must ensure a level playing field. She should monitor that:
- No candidate uses money or muscle power to influence voters.
- All parties get equal security and opportunity to campaign.
- The ruling party does not misuse government resources (vehicles, buildings, officials).
- Hate speech or appeals based on caste/religion are stopped.
- Expenditure limits set by the Election Commission are followed.
b. Polling day
She must ensure peaceful and fair voting:
- All polling booths are set up correctly and have all necessary materials.
- Police security is adequate to prevent booth capturing or intimidation.
- Every verified voter can cast their vote without fear or hassle.
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are functioning properly and are secure.
- Model Code of Conduct is strictly enforced near polling stations.
c. Counting day
She must ensure the counting process is transparent and accurate:
- Strong security to protect the strongrooms where EVMs are stored and the counting halls.
- Counting is done in the presence of authorized agents from all candidates.
- The process follows all official guidelines without any tampering.
- Results are declared promptly and correctly after the count.
6 Based on the US Congress population table, would you suggest a system of reservations?
| Community | House of Representatives (%) | Population of US (%) |
| Blacks | 8 | 13 |
| Hispanics | 5 | 13 |
| Whites | 86 | 70 |
Answer:
Yes, a system of reservations (or affirmative action) could be suggested for the US Congress, particularly for the Black and Hispanic communities.
Why: The data shows a clear under-representation. While Blacks and Hispanics each make up 13% of the population, they hold only 8% and 5% of the seats respectively. Whites, who are 70% of the population, hold 86% of the seats, meaning they are over-represented. Reservations could help ensure these minority communities have a fairer political voice, promoting true equality and inclusive governance.
(Note: One could also argue “No,” stating that forcing reservations may conflict with the US principle of direct competition. However, based on the data showing inequality, the suggestion for corrective measures is valid.)
7 Can we draw the following conclusions? Give two facts to support your position.
a. Election Commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair elections.
No, this conclusion is incorrect.
- Fact 1: The Election Commission (EC) has the power to announce the election schedule, enforce the Model Code of Conduct, and control the entire election machinery.
- Fact 2: The EC has the authority to cancel polls, order re-elections, and even recognize or de-recognize political parties. Its decisions are binding.
b. There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.
Yes, this conclusion is correct.
- Fact 1: Voter turnout in India has been consistently high and often increasing, with crores of people voting in each election.
- Fact 2: Election days see participation from all sections of society—rich and poor, urban and rural, across all communities—making it a national festival.
c. It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.
No, this conclusion is incorrect.
- Fact 1: History shows the ruling party/coalition has lost elections at the national and state levels many times (e.g., 1977, 2004, 2014).
- Fact 2: The powerful and independent Election Commission creates strict rules to prevent the misuse of government power, making it harder for the ruling party to unfairly influence voters.
d. Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.
Yes, this conclusion is correct.
- Fact 1: The use of excessive money, criminal muscle power, and caste/religious appeals are still problems in many constituencies.
- Fact 2: There are ongoing debates about necessary reforms like state funding of elections, stricter laws against candidates with criminal backgrounds, and better regulation of campaign finances.
8 Does preventing Chinappa and Satbir from contesting elections go against democratic principles?
Answer: No, this decision does not go against the principles of democratic elections. In fact, it upholds them.
Why: Democratic elections are not just about the right to contest. They are about ensuring that representatives are of good character and respect the law and the Constitution. Both men were convicted for serious crimes—dowry torture and untouchability—which are against the fundamental rights and values of Indian democracy. Barring them protects the integrity of the legislature and ensures that law-breakers do not become law-makers.
9 What can these countries learn from India to improve their elections?
a. Nigeria (Vote Counting Fraud)
- Problem: Malpractice and tampering during vote counting.
- Suggestion from India: Appoint a powerful, independent, and centralized election commission like India’s ECI. In India, counting is done under strict surveillance, in the presence of candidates’ agents, and results are compiled transparently. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) also reduce manual counting errors and fraud.
b. Fiji (Voter Intimidation)
- Problem: Threatening voters based on ethnic origin to influence their vote.
- Suggestion from India: Implement a strict Model Code of Conduct enforced by a neutral authority. In India, the EC deploys security forces to prevent intimidation and takes swift action against hate speech or threats. Ensuring a secret ballot is also crucial so voters feel safe.
c. USA (Florida 2000, Inconsistent State Rules)
- Problem: Lack of uniform national standards for voting and counting, leading to disputes and unchallengeable decisions by local authorities.
- Suggestion from India: Establish a single, apex election management body (like the ECI) that sets uniform rules and procedures for the entire country. This body should have the final authority to adjudicate disputes and order repolls if necessary, ensuring consistency and fairness.
10 Identify the election problem in each Indian case and the correction needed.
a. Problem: This is a bribe or promise of a gift (financial aid for the mill) by a minister to influence voters just before elections, which is an abuse of power.
- Correction: The Election Commission should immediately take action against the minister for violating the Model Code of Conduct, which prohibits such announcements after elections are announced.
b. Problem: This is bias in state media (Doordarshan & AIR). The ruling party is getting undue advantage, denying a level playing field to opposition parties.
- Correction: The Election Commission must ensure that state-owned media give equitable and impartial coverage to all major political parties as per guidelines.
c. Problem: The presence of 20 lakh fake voters on the electoral rolls is a huge fraud that can lead to large-scale rigging.
- Correction: The Election Commission must order immediate correction of the rolls through a special revision drive, and possibly take action against the officials responsible for the lapse.
d. Problem: This is the use of muscle power and intimidation by party hoodlums to disrupt the campaign of rivals, violating the freedom to campaign.
- Correction: The Election Commission, in coordination with the state administration, must deploy adequate security forces to arrest the culprits, confiscate weapons, and provide protection to all candidates and meetings.
11 What is wrong with Ramesh’s statements?
a. “Women always vote the way men tell them to. So what is the point of giving them the right to vote?”
- What’s wrong: This is a wrong and sexist assumption. Women are independent citizens capable of making their own political choices. The right to vote is a fundamental democratic right based on equality. Denying it based on gender is unconstitutional and unjust.
b. “Party politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus not by competition.”
- What’s wrong: While competition can create tension, it is essential for democracy. Consensus is not always possible in a diverse society. Elections and party competition provide a peaceful, structured way for people to choose between different ideas, policies, and leaders. Banning competition would lead to dictatorship, not democracy.
c. “Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections.”
- What’s wrong: This goes against the democratic principle of equality and open opportunity. Educational qualifications are not a measure of a person’s wisdom, empathy, or understanding of people’s problems. Such a rule would unfairly exclude a large section of capable but less formally educated Indians from representing their people, making the system elitist.