Chapter-3 Electoral Politics

NCERT QUESTIONS

1.Which of the following statements about the reason 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 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 numbers 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) India has the largest numbers of voters in the world.

3.

Ans-(a) iv (b) i (c) ii (d) iii.

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. Some of these
activities are given below:
Releasing election manifestos, Counting of votes, Making of voters’ list, Election campaign,
Declaration of election results, Casting of votes, Ordering of re-poll, Announcing election
schedule, Filing nomination.
Ans: Different election related activities:
a) Making of voters’ list
b) Announcing election schedule
c) Filing nomination
d) Election campaign
e) Releasing election manifestos
f) Casting of votes
g) Ordering of re-poll
h) Counting of votes
i) 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:
a. Election campaign
b. Polling day
c. Counting day.
Ans-
a) Election campaign – During election campaign, Surekha should ensure that candidates or
their supporters do not
i) use muscle power to threaten the voters.
ii) use money power to influence the voters.
iii) use government machinery and resources.
iv) spend more money than the limit fixed by the election commission.
v) distribute money or other things (sarees, sewing machines, umbrellas) among voters
during election campaign.
vi) ask for votes in the name of caste or religion.

b) Polling day – On the polling day, Surekha has to ensure that-

i) booth capturing does not take place.
ii) fake votes are not cast.
iii) Poor and weaker sections of society are able to cast their vote freely and without fear.
iv) no unauthorized person should be allowed to enter polling booth.
v) The ballot boxes or electronic machines reach counting center safe.

c)Counting day – On the counting day, Surekha has to ensure that-

i) the voting machines are intact.
ii) the counting should begin in the presence of the candidates and their agents.
iii) Counting should be done carefully and accurately.
iv) no unauthorized person should be allowed into the counting centre.

6.The table below gives the proportion of different communities among the candidates who
won elections to the US Congress. Compare these to the proportion of these communities in
the population of the US. Based on this would you suggest a system of reservations in the
US

Ans-Based on figures, given in the table, it is clear that Blacks and Hispanics have very less
representation than their population in the US Congress. Therefore, to give them proper
representation, reservation should be provided to them.

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.
a. Election Commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair elections
in the country.
b. There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.
c. It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.
d. Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.
Ans-
a) No, this conclusion is wrong because the election commission is indeed powerful enough to
ensure free and fair elections. The Election commission has complete control over all the
functionaries connected with the conduct of fair elections. It can order repoll if there is report
of rigging.

b) This conclusion is right. Now a days, people are more aware and more people have started
to cast their vote and the voting percentage has gone up. Ruling parties often lose elections
due to change in voting preferences by the people.

c) This is a wrong conclusion, because the party in power often loses elections. In India
mostly the sitting MPs or the ruling party loses the elections.

d) This conclusion is right. Though the role of money and muscle power has been reduced,
there is still a need to control it further. Because some politicians and political parties are
still able to take advantage of money power in elections. Many candidates with criminal
records use muscle power to threaten other candidates and voters which needs to be
checked.
8.Chinappa was convicted for torturing his wife for dowry. Satbir was held guilty of
practicing untouchability. The court did not allow either of them to contest elections. Does
this decision go against the principles of democratic elections?
Ans- This decision of the court preventing Chinappa and Satbir from contesting elections
does not go against the principles of democratic elections because both have been found
guilty of breaking the law by the court. Criminals should not be allowed to hold position of
power because they are not good citizens and could harm interests of the people.
9.Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world. Is there
anything that these countries can learn from India to improve their elections? What would
you suggest in each case?
(a) During an election in Nigeria, the officer-in-charge of counting votes deliberately
increased the votes of one candidate and declared him elected. The court later found out
that more than 5 lakh votes cast for one candidate were counted in favor of another.
(b) Just before the elections in Fiji, a pamphlet was distributed warning voters that a vote
for former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry will lead to bloodshed. This was a threat to
voters of Indian origin.
(c) In the US, each state has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting and it
own authority for conducting elections. Authorities in the state of Florida took many
controversial decisions that favored Mr. Bush in the Presidential elections in 2000. But no
one could change those decisions
Ans-
(a) If the mal practices have been proved in a court, the elections should be declared null
and void and re-election should be held in that constituency. The officer-in-charge of the
counting should be given strict punishment for committing such irregularity. The system of
counting should be such that the counting officer shall not be able to do this.
In India, this is not possible as counting agents of all the candidates are present in the
counting center and counting of votes take place in their presence. In this case,
representatives of each candidate should be present to make sure that the votes are counted
in a fair way.
(b) To issue such a pamphlet is definitely an election malpractice. The circulation of such a
pamphlet should be checked immediately. The source of the pamphlet, a person, candidate
or political party should be found out and punished, as it violates the principle of democratic
elections. In India, this type of election campaign is not possible the ECI always makes vigil
on the procedures of election campaign. If any party violates the code of conduct, the EC
will punish it.

(c) Since each state in the USA has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting
and its own authority for conducting elections, the decisions taken by the state of Florida
must be according to the election laws passed by the state.
No one could challenge those decisions on those must have been taken in accordance with
the laws made by that state.
In India, since states are not authorized to make their own laws for election, such a situation
cannot arise. Election commission as an independent body is solely responsible for
conducting elections throughout the country.
10.Here are some reports of malpractices in Indian elections. Identify what the problem in
each case is. What should be done to correct the situation?
(a) Following the announcement of election the minister promised to provide financial aid
to reopen the closed sugar mill.
(b) Opposition parties alleged that their statements and campaign was not given the due
attention in Doordarshan and All India Radio.
(c) An inquiry by the Election Commission showed that electoral rolls of a state contain
names of 20 lakh fake voters.
(d) The hoodlums of a political party were moving with guns, physically preventing
supporters of other political parties to meet the voters and attacking meetings of other
parties.
Ans-
(a) The problem here is that, after announcement of elections it is not legal to announce
policy decisions according to the code of conduct. According to the election laws, no minister
or member of the legislature can take decisions regarding products which could influence
the elections. Thus, the minister should not be allowed to contest the election.

(b) The problem in this situation is identified as the misuse of government resources by the
ruling party.
The solution to this problem is that, the Election commission must ensure that all political
parties are given equal opportunity to appear on Doordarshan and All India Radio. Election
commission must take action against misuse of this media.

(c) The problem in this situation is electoral rolls have not been revised. The presence of fake
voter means that the elections were rigged by the authorities who prepared the electoral rolls.

(d) The problem identified in this situation is that by using hoodlums, the political army is
terrorizing its rivals. The elections were not free and fair. Solution to this problem, is that,
the Election commission should order the arrest of the hoodlums and ban the party from the
elections.

11.Ramesh was not in class when this chapter was being taught. He came the next day and
reported what he had heard from his father. Can you tell Ramesh what is wrong with these
statements?
(a) Women always vote the way men tell them. So, what is the point of giving them the right
to vote?
(b) Party politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus not by
competition.
(c) Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections.
Ans-
(a) The statement is wrong because the policy of secret ballot ensures that an individual can
vote for whoever he/she wants. Women are fully capable of taking decisions on their own and
selecting the candidates they like.

(b) Party politics and competition in election certainly creates tension in society. But elections
should not be decided by consensus. This is because in modern states, where population is
very large, it is not possible to have consensus on election. Competition works as both
deterrent and motivator election and a motivation for winning the elections work in favor of
people.
(c) Only allowing graduates to stand as candidates for elections is wrong. It is not necessary
that a graduate person will be more sensitive to the needs of the people or that he will turn
out to be an honest and sincere person.
To prescribe educational qualifications would go against the spirit of democracy. In India, it
will deprive a large section of country’s citizens the right to contest elections. However, it is
better to have educated politicians, but being graduate should not be compulsion.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS-

1. Since 1982 to 1987, Haryana was ruled by which political party?
Ans- Congress party.

2. Which one of the following is not a factor that makes an election democratic?
Ans- The choice should not be offered at regular intervals.

3. Which of the following terms is used when election is held only for one constituency to fill
the vacancy caused by death or resignation of a member?
Ans- Constituencies

4. What do we mean when we say that a constituency is reserved for the scheduled castes?
Ans- Only SC candidate can contest the election.

5. What proportion of seats are reserved in rural and urban local bodies for women
candidates?
Ans- One-third of the total seats.

6. Each state is divided into a specific number of-

Ans- Assembly constituencies.

7. The list of those people who are eligible to vote is officially called-
Ans- Electoral Roll.

8. The power and independence of election commission of India is equivalent to which one of
the following?
Ans- Judiciary.

9. The Chief Election commissioner is appointed by whom among the following?

Ans- The president of India.

10. Assertion (A)- There is no educational qualifications for candidates for being an MP or
an MLA.
Reason (R)- The relevant qualification for candidates is the ability to understand people’s
concerns, problems and to represent people’s interest.
Ans- Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

11. Assertion (A)- Political competition takes place when different political parties compete
to gain the confidence and vote of the voters.
Reason (R)- Regular electoral competition provides incentives to political parties and leaders.
If they can satisfy the voters with their work. They will be able to win again.
Ans- Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

12. Assertion (A)- Different political parties and candidates often use dirty tricks like booth
capturing to win elections.
Reason (R)- It gives choices to voters to choose among the best and reveals the real motive of
political parties.
Ans-- Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS-

1. What makes an election democratic?
Ans- i) Election must be held regularly in every 5 years.
ii) Every eligible voters must have one vote with equal value.
iii) There should be more than one party, so that voters can get some real choice.
iv) Elections should be conducted have full freedom to vote for any candidate they like.

2. Write any five demerits of electoral competition.

Ans- i) An electoral competition creates a sense of ‘disunity’ and ‘factionalism’ in every
locality.
ii) The pressure of winning electoral competition does not allow sensible long-term policies
to be formulated.
iii) Some good people do not enter electoral competition they do not like the unfair
competition in politics.
iv) Candidates in electoral competition who ask for vote on communal and caste lines destroy
the basic idea of democracy.
v) Different political parties and candidates often use dirty tricks (like distributing money,
liquor among the poor section of voters) in electoral competition to win elections.

3. What is the Model Code of Conduct for election campaign?

Ans- A set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political and contesting candidates
during election time is known as model code of conduct.
According to this, no party or candidate can-
i) use any place of worship for election propaganda.
ii) use government vehicles, aircrafts and officials for elections.
iii) lay foundation stones of any project, after the date of elections are announced.

4. Describe any three functions of the Election Commission of India.

Ans- The three major functions are-
i) Election Commission takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections.
ii) It implements the code of conduct and can punish any candidate or party that violates it.
iii) It controls the government officers who are posted on election.

5. Highlight some issues which bring many limitations and challenges of Indian election to
our attention.
Ans- i) Candidates and parties with lot of money enjoy a big and unfair advantage over
smaller parties or independent candidates.
ii) Candidates with criminal records have been able to push others out of electoral race and
secure a ticket from major parties.
iii) Some families tend to dominate political parties and secure tickets for their own family
members.
iv) Smaller parties and independents suffer a huge disadvantage compared to bigger parties.

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