Rewritten Answers:
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.
Ans:
c. Elections do not enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary.
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.
Ans:
a. Having the largest number of voters in the world does not necessarily make elections democratic.
3. Match the following:
Statements | Correct Reason |
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 society |
Everyone has one and only one vote so that | Everyone has an 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:
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
5. Surekha is an officer-in-charge of ensuring free and fair elections in an assembly constituency in a state. Describe what she should focus on for each of the following stages of election:
Ans: Election Campaign:
Monitor adherence to the code of conduct.
Prevent the misuse of money and muscle power.
Ensure candidates do not use religion, caste, or gender to promote themselves.
Check expenditure reports of candidates.
Polling Day:
Ensure voter identity verification is done properly.
Monitor polling booths to avoid booth capturing.
Make arrangements for a smooth and unbiased voting process.
Counting Day:
Supervise accurate and transparent vote counting.
Prevent tampering or rigging of votes.
6. Compare the proportion of communities among elected candidates to the US Congress with the population of the US. Would you suggest a system of reservations?
Communities | House of Representatives (%) | US Population (%) |
Blacks | 8 | 13 |
Hispanics | 5 | 13 |
Whites | 86 | 70 |
Ans:
Yes, a reservation system could help ensure fair representation for Hispanics and Blacks, as their share in the Congress is much lower than their proportion in the population.
7. Can we draw the following conclusions from the information given in this chapter? Give two facts to support your position for each of these:
Election Commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair elections.
Ans: No, this statement is not true.
The Election Commission enforces the model code of conduct during elections.
It can disqualify candidates and take strict action for violations.
There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.
Ans: Yes, this statement is true.
Voter turnout has significantly increased over the years.
Citizens actively engage in election campaigns and debates.
It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.
Ans: No, this is incorrect.
Opposition parties often defeat ruling parties in successive elections.
Heavy campaign expenditures do not guarantee success.
Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.
Ans: Yes, this statement is correct.
Reforms are required to prevent candidates with criminal records from contesting.
Small parties need more support to compete fairly.
8. Chinappa was convicted of torturing his wife for dowry. Satbir was held guilty of practising untouchability. The court did not allow either of them to contest elections. Does this decision go against the principles of democratic elections?
Ans: No, the decision is justified. Democratic principles prohibit candidates with criminal convictions from contesting elections to maintain the integrity of the system.
9. Reports of electoral malpractices from different countries—What can they learn from India?
Ans: Nigeria:
Vote counting should be transparent. Representatives from all parties should be present during counting, as practiced in India.
Fiji:
Election Commission should penalize parties spreading propaganda or issuing threats. Negative campaigns must be prohibited.
United States:
A centralized Election Commission should oversee uniform rules for elections, ensuring consistency across states.
10. Reports of malpractices in Indian elections—Problems and solutions:
a. A minister promised financial aid for a closed sugar mill after elections were announced.
Problem: Violation of the election code of conduct.
Solution: Election Commission must reprimand the minister and take strict action.
b. Opposition parties alleged biased media coverage in Doordarshan and All India Radio.
Problem: Government media favoring ruling parties.
Solution: Ensure fair and impartial coverage for all parties during elections.
c. Electoral rolls of a state contained 20 lakh fake voters.
Problem: Manipulation of voter lists.
Solution: Conduct a thorough revision of the electoral rolls and re-election if necessary.
d. Political party hoodlums used violence to disrupt opposition campaigns.
Problem: Use of muscle power in elections.
Solution: Ban such parties from contesting and ensure strict law enforcement during campaigns.
11. Ramesh’s statements and corrections:
a. Women always vote the way men tell them to. So what is the point of giving them the right to vote?
Correction: Women have the right to vote independently through the secret ballot system, enabling them to make their own choices.
b. Party politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus, not competition.
Correction: Competition in elections encourages candidates to perform better and represent the people effectively.
c. Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections.
Correction: Educational qualification is not the sole factor for leadership. Candidates should be judged based on their abilities and commitment to public service.