Elections

Which among the following Articles of the Indian Constitution grants universal adult franchise to the citizens according to which every citizen of eighteen years and above is entitled to cast his/her vote in an election?

1. Articles 352 of the Indian Constitution
2. Article 309 of the Indian Constitution
3. Article 326 of the Indian Constitution
4. Article 311 of the Indian Constitution

Answer

Article 326 of the Indian Constitution

Identify the correct statement. It is generally said,

1. "No elections, no democracy".
2. "No elections, no monarchy".
3. "No elections, no dictatorship".
4. "No elections, no secularism".

Answer

"No elections, no democracy".

The members of Lok Sabha and State Legislature are elected by the method of

1. two-round system
2. direct elections
3. cumulative voting
4. indirect elections

Answer

direct elections

Which among the following elections are held before the completion of the term of five years when the legislature is dissolved due to one reason or other?

1. Mid-term Elections
2. General Elections
3. By-Elections
4. Indirect Elections

Answer

Mid-term Elections

'Save Democracy' was the slogan given by

1. Janata Party in 1977
2. Bharatiya Janta Party in 1977
3. Indian National Congress in 1980
4. Janata Dal in 1989

Answer

Janata Party in 1977

In India we have reserved constituencies for ............... in both the state and central legislatures.

1. Disabled people
2. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
3. University Professors
4. Women

Answer

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

Complete the analogy. Mid-Term Elections : Fail to Prove Majority : : General Elections : ...............

1. Held after every five years
2. Held when a government completes its half term
3. Held due to political crisis
4. Held after a short period of dissolution

Answer

Held after every five years

Read the two statements given below about the direct elections and select the option that shows the correct relationship between (A) and (R).

Assertion (A): Direct elections are considered more democratic than indirect elections.

Reason (R): In direct elections, voters directly elect their representatives, ensuring greater public participation and accountability.

1. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
2. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
3. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
4. (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Answer

Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Explanation — In direct elections, the electorate has a direct say in the selection of representatives, which leads to increased public participation and greater accountability as elected officials are directly answerable to the voters.

Which among the following is one of the functions of the Election Commission?

1. Delimitation of Constituencies
2. Holding of Election and Declaration of Results
3. Preparation of Electoral Rolls
4. All of these

Answer

All of these

How was the personality shown in the picture elected as the President of India?

1. By-elections
2. Unanimously
3. Directly
4. Indirectly

Answer

Indirectly

What is the full form of MLA?

1. Minister of Legislative Assembly
2. Minister of Liberty Association
3. Member of Legislative Assembly
4. Member of Liberty Association

Answer

Member of Legislative Assembly

Replace the underlined phrase with the correct option:

Direct elections are used to elect the President and Vice-President of India.

1. members of the Rajya Sabha.
2. judges of the Supreme Court.
3. members of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
4. members of Finance Commission.

Answer

members of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.

Reserved Constituencies in India continue to play a crucial role in ensuring representation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STS) in the Central and State legislatures. The reserved constituencies in India are intended to:

1. Prevent political domination by majority groups.
2. Ensure representation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STS).
3. Guarantee equal representation for women.
4. Promote economic reforms through policy of representation.

Answer

Ensure representation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STS).

Who gave the slogan 'Garibi Hatao'?

1. Late Rajiv Gandhi
2. Late Indira Gandhi
3. Sonia Gandhi
4. Mr. Narendra Modi

Answer

Late Indira Gandhi

General Elections are held for the formation of

1. Supreme Court
2. Rajya Sabha
3. Lok Sabha
4. High court

Answer

Lok Sabha

The method of direct election is more democratic. Which of the following statements correctly describes the same?

1. The system of direct election stimulates political interest among voters
2. This system is less exposed to corruption
3. This system makes the representatives more responsible to public option
4. This system enables the electorate to take part in constituting the government directly as per universal adult franchise

Answer

This system enables the electorate to take part in constituting the government directly as per universal adult franchise

Identify the demerits of indirect election.

P: It is anti-democratic to an extent.

Q: It kills popular interests in the elections

R: This system places powers in the hands of ignorant voters.

S: Under the Indirect system majority of voters are swayed by false promises of clever orators and leaders

1. P and Q
2. Q and R
3. R and S
4. P and S

Answer

P and Q

Read the two statements given below about the new Act regarding the appointment of CEC and ECs.

(A) The new Act replaces the Election Commission Act, 1991.

(B) As per the new Act, the CEC and ECs will be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a Selection Committee comprising the PM, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha.

1. (B) contradicts (A)
2. (B) is the reason for (A)
3. (A) is true but (B) is false
4. (A) and (B) are independent of each other

Answer

(B) is the reason for (A)

"Article 326 of the Constitution grants universal adult franchise to the citizens, according to which every citizen of eighteen years and above is entitled to cast his/her vote in an election."

How does Article 326 reflect the democratic values of inclusivity and equality?

Answer

Article 326 of the Indian Constitution reflects the democratic values of inclusivity and equality by granting universal adult suffrage, meaning every citizen who is 18 years or older is entitled to vote, without any discrimination based on caste, creed, gender, religion, or economic status.

What do you mean by an election?

Answer

An election is a process through which the citizens of a country choose their representatives to govern them, in a free, fair, and regular manner.

What is the need for elections? Why is it said, "No elections, no democracy"?

Answer

Elections let citizens choose representatives, change them peacefully, and hold them accountable. They convert people's consent into government authority and protect rights through competition and transparency.
Without the elections a democratic government cannot be set up. Hence, it is said that "No elections, no democracy".

Why is it said that modern democracies are representative?

Answer

Modern democracies cover such vast area that all their citizens, who run into millions, cannot possibly take part in the government. They can do so through their representatives who form a comparatively small number. In order to choose such representatives elections are a must. That is why, it said that modern democracies are representative democracies.

Who controls the elections of the President, Vice-President and the Parliament?

Answer

The Election Commission controls the elections of the President, Vice-President and the Parliament.

State one function of the Election Commission.

Answer

According to Article 324, the Election Commission is vested with the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the offices of the President and Vice President of India.

What is meant by a by-election?

Answer

The process of conducting elections to fill the vacancy in the Parliament or State Legislatures because of the resignation or death of a member during their term of office is called a by-election. The newly elected members serve the remaining term.

What is meant by mid-term election?

Answer

Mid-term elections are the elections which are held before the completion of the term of five years when the legislature is dissolved due to one reason or the other. Such elections are held when the Central government or the State government fails to prove its majority in the legislature and elections are held for the formation of new government. The newly formed legislature will have a full five-year term.

Differentiate between direct and indirect elections with examples.

Answer

Difference between direct and indirect elections:

With reference to the nomination of candidates explain the following :

(a) Who fixes the date of election?

(b) What are nomination papers?

(c) What do you mean by scrutiny of papers?

Answer

(a) The fixing of exact date of election rests with the Election Commission.

(b) Nomination papers are formal documents submitted by a candidate intending to contest an election within a specific deadline.

(c) After the submission of nomination papers, the Election Commission scrutinises their papers and accepts or rejects the nomination papers as the case may be.

For every democratic country, elections are very important. In this connection, answer the following :

(a) Election Commission

(b) Composition of Election Commission.

Answer

(a) To ensure free and fair election in the country, there is a special organisation known as the Election Commission. Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the offices of the President and Vice President of India shall be vested in the Election Commission.

(b) The CEC (Chief Election Commissioner) and ECs (Election Commissioner) will be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of a Selection Committee. The selection committee will consist of Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and Leader of opposition/leader of the largest opposition party in Lok Sabha. A search committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary will propose a panel of names to the selection committee.

With reference to the Election Commission explain the following :

(a) Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners?

(b) Describe any two functions of the Election Commission.

Answer

(a) The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners upon the recommendation of a Selection Committee.

(b) Two functions of the Election Commission are:

1. To superintend, direct and control elections to the Parliament and the State Legislatures.
2. To conduct elections to the posts of the President and the Vice-President.

With regard to the kinds of elections explain the following :

(a) Merits of Direct Election

(b) Demerits of Indirect Election

(c) Merits of Indirect Election

(d) Demerits of Direct Election

Answer

(a) The Merits of Direct Election are given below:

1. Firstly, it is said that the method of direct election is most democratic as it enables the electorate to take part in constituting the government directly.
2. The system of direct election makes the representative more accountable to public opinion. They try to keep them in touch with the voters and try to better their condition.
3. The system of direct election stimulates political interest among voters. Each voter feels that their voice will count in the formation of the government and selection of the law-makers. Such a system encourages active citizenship.
4. The advocates of this system claim that this system is less exposed to corruption. Under this system a candidate has to approach a large number of voters. It is quite difficult to bribe or intimidate such a broad electorate.

(b) The Demerits of Indirect Election are given below:

1. Firstly, it is considered anti-democratic. Democracy requires that contact between the representatives and voters should be direct and immediate. But indirect election keeps a distance between the voters and their representatives.
2. The system of indirect election is condemned on the ground that it kills popular interest in the elections. The primary voters cease to take any interest in public matters.
3. The smaller electorate in indirect elections is more vulnerable to corruption and undue influence.
4. Lastly, in some cases, the system of indirect election has been reduced to a formality due to the influence of the party system.

(c) The Merits of Indirect Election are given below:

1. The system of indirect election is said to be free from the complexity of popular passion. It transfers the choice of representatives from the hands of the masses into the hands of a few selected persons who are likely to be less swayed by political passions.
2. Again, it is said that the system of indirect election saves us from such dangers which can result from haste. It has been rightly said, "Haste makes waste". Under this system, in fact, there are two elections, as such mistakes made at one stage can be corrected at another stage. The time-gap in two elections cools down the passions and members of the electoral college can think twice before electing any candidate.

(d) The Demerits of Direct Election are given below:

1. The system of direct election places powers in the hands of ignorant voters. Most of the voters are either illiterate or ignorant who do not have intelligence or independence enough to vote for the right candidate.
2. Under this system a majority of voters are swayed by false promises of the clever orators and they fall in the trap quite easily.