Questions and Answers
What is a general election?
An election held to fill vacancies caused by death or resignation for one constituency.
How many Lok Sabha constituencies are there in India?
543
What is the representative elected from a Lok Sabha constituency called?
Member of Parliament (MP)
What do we call the areas within states that voters elect representatives from?
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What is the term for the voters' list in a democratic election?
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Everyone who is 18 years of age or older has the right to vote.
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Which of the following groups have reserved seats in the Lok Sabha?
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What does the term 'one vote one value' signify?
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Match the following features of our electoral system with the principles they reflect:
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How often is the voters' list revised?
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What was the first action promised by Devi Lal's government if elected?
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Devi Lal's party, Lok Dal, won 76 out of 90 seats in the Haryana Assembly elections.
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Who was invited by the Governor to become the Chief Minister after the 1987 Haryana elections?
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Which party won the Haryana Assembly elections in 1991?
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Elections are considered essential in any __________ democracy.
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What is required for choosing representatives in a democracy?
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What is one criterion for a democratic election?
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Why are elections important in a democracy?
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What can lead to political competition creating disunity?
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Non-democratic countries do not hold elections.
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What happens when elections are not free and fair?
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What is the percentage of voter turnout in India in the year 2015?
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In India, the poor and underprivileged people vote in larger proportions compared to the rich?
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Match the following social groups with their respective voter turnout percentages in India, 2004:
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About ___% of voters participated in election-related activities in India during 2004.
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How do people in India view the importance of elections?
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Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false? (Select all that apply)
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Which of these is not a good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic?
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What was the slogan used by the Left Front in the West Bengal Assembly elections held in 1977?
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What was the slogan used by N.T. Rama Rao in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections in 1983?
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In a Lok Sabha election, a candidate cannot spend more than $______ lakh in a constituency.
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Political parties start preparing for elections only during the two weeks before the elections.
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What percentage of voters actually cast their votes in the Gulbarga constituency in 2014?
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The Election Commission is appointed by the Prime Minister of India.
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What are the voting machines used in elections called?
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The government spent about $______ crores in conducting Lok Sabha elections in 2014.
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Which of the following is NOT a prohibited activity for candidates during elections?
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The presence of party agents is allowed at polling booths and counting centers.
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What is the role of the Chief Election Commissioner in India?
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Which electoral practice is considered unfair?
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Match the following statements with their explanations:
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List all the different election-related activities and arrange them in a time sequence.
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What should Surekha focus on during the election campaign?
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What should Surekha focus on polling day?
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What should Surekha focus on counting day?
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Based on the proportion of different communities among winners, would you suggest a system of reservations in the US Congress?
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What are two facts supporting the position that the Election Commission of India does not have enough powers?
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What are two facts suggesting a high level of popular participation in Indian elections?
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What are two facts indicating it is easy for the party in power to win an election?
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What are two facts stating that many reforms are needed for free and fair elections?
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Does the decision to disallow Chinappa and Satbir from contesting elections go against the principles of democratic elections?
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What should be done to address electoral malpractices in Nigeria?
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What should be done to address threats to voters in Fiji?
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What advice would you give to improve electoral practices in the US?
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What is the wrong statement about women's voting behavior?
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What is wrong with the idea that only graduates should stand as candidates for elections?
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Did you take the National Voters’ Day pledge?
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Study Notes
Overview of Electoral Politics
- Democracy typically allows governance through elected representatives rather than direct rule by the people.
- Elections are a crucial mechanism for enabling residents to select their representatives and influence government policies.
- The chapter assesses democratic criteria for elections and analyzes the electoral process in India, including the roles and responsibilities of the Election Commission.
Importance of Elections
- Elections are held regularly across over one hundred countries to facilitate representative democracy.
- They empower voters to make crucial decisions such as choosing government representatives, forming governments, and deciding party policies.
- Elections provide a fundamental mechanism for citizens to express their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with their leaders.
Characteristics of Democratic Elections
- Universal suffrage: every eligible citizen should have one vote of equal value.
- Accessible choices: political parties and candidates must be free to contest elections and provide real options to voters.
- Regular intervals: elections are held at consistent, predetermined intervals, typically every few years.
- Free and fair conduct: elections should be organized transparently, granting citizens true choice without coercion.
Indian Electoral System
- Indian elections occur every five years for the Lok Sabha (Parliament) and state Vidhan Sabha (Assembly).
- Each election cycle concludes with all elected representatives’ terms expiring, prompting general elections across constituencies.
- India consists of 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, and each constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP).
- Assembly constituencies vary by state, where voters elect a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA).
- Local governance includes elections for Panchayat and Municipal bodies, with wards functioning similarly to constituencies.
Political Competition
- Political competition enables a system where leaders are held accountable and incentivized to act according to public needs.
- Parties and candidates may engage in rivalry, which can lead to both innovation in policy and negative campaigning.
- Electorates benefit from competition, withdrawing support from parties unable to address their needs effectively.
Electoral Challenges
- Competition can also lead to divisiveness and factionalism, complicating governance and policy formulation.
- A balance must be struck in motivating leaders to serve effectively while mitigating toxic political rivalry.
- Regular electoral processes ensure that government officials are aware their roles depend on public approval.
Role of the Election Commission
- The Election Commission in India is instrumental in overseeing elections, ensuring that they are conducted fairly and transparently.
- Challenges exist in maintaining the integrity of elections, including combating fraudulent practices and ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates.### Gulbarga Lok Sabha Constituency
- Gulbarga (Kalaburagi) district in Karnataka has a Lok Sabha constituency that does not align with district boundaries due to historical, administrative, or electoral reasons.
- The Gulbarga Lok Sabha constituency comprises multiple Assembly constituencies.
Reservation in Elections
- Reservations within constituencies aim to ensure representation for weaker sections such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
- Seats are reserved to promote participation of women in politics, accounting for one-third in rural and urban local bodies.
Voter Eligibility and Voters' List
- The Electoral Roll or Voters’ List contains names of eligible voters, ensuring every individual aged 18 or over is able to vote.
- Voter registration is periodically updated; new registrants, deceased individuals, and relocations are accounted for every five years.
Lok Sabha Constituency Breakdown
- The Lok Sabha consists of a total of 543 constituencies, which are divided into:
- 412 General seats
- 84 Reserved for SC
- 47 Reserved for ST
State-Specific Constituencies
- Karnataka has 28 Lok Sabha constituencies.
- Larger states, such as Uttar Pradesh, have a higher number of constituencies due to population size and representation needs.
Educational Qualifications for Candidates
- No educational qualification is required for contesting elections to emphasize democratic principles, allowing broader participation.
- Candidates must declare assets, liabilities, and criminal cases, ensuring transparency.
Election Campaigns
- Election campaigns provide a period for political parties to promote their messages, generally lasting two weeks.
- Notable slogans from past elections include:
- “Garibi Hatao” by Congress in 1971
- “Save Democracy” by Janata Party in 1977
- “Land to the Tiller” by the Left Front in West Bengal in 1977.
Regulations on Campaigning
- Regulations exist to maintain fairness, preventing bribery and the use of government resources for electioneering.
- Spending caps set limits for candidates during elections; Lok Sabha elections have a cap of ₹25 lakh per constituency.
Voting Process
- Voters visit designated polling booths where they are verified and allowed to cast their votes.
- A significant amount of money, approximately ₹3,500 crores, was spent by the government for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, reflecting the costs of running elections in India.
Importance of Electoral Participation
- Universal adult franchise is fundamental to democracy, ensuring that every citizen has the right to vote regardless of age, caste, or gender, fostering a more representative government.### Election Expenditure
- Government, parties, and candidates collectively spent around ₹30,000 crores, averaging ₹500 per voter.
- In comparison, six nuclear submarines purchased in 2005 cost about ₹3,000 crores each, totaling ₹18,000 crores.
- The Commonwealth Games held in Delhi in 2010 were estimated to cost around ₹20,000 crores.
Gulbarga Election Results, 2014
- Gulbarga had 8 candidates contesting, with 17.21 lakh eligible voters.
- Voter turnout was 9.98 lakh, which is approximately 58% of eligible voters.
- Mallikarjun Kharge from the Congress party received 5.07 lakh votes (50.82%), winning the seat.
- Other candidates and their votes:
- Revunaik Belamagi (BJP): 4.32 lakh (43.33%)
- D.G. Sagar (JD(S)): 15,690 (1.57%)
- Others received less than 1.5% of the votes.
Voting Process
- Voters cast their votes using electronic voting machines (EVMs) that display candidate names and party symbols.
- After polling, EVMs are sealed and transported to counting centers; results are usually declared within hours.
Electoral Practices
- Fair electoral practices should ensure transparency and prevent misuse of power.
- Allegations of electoral malpractice include:
- Inclusion of false names and exclusion of genuine names in voters' lists.
- Misuse of government resources and intimidation of voters.
- Excessive spending by affluent candidates.
Election Commission of India
- The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President but operates independently.
- The CEC has significant powers similar to the judiciary, ensuring compliance with electoral laws.
- The Election Commission (EC) oversees all election aspects, implementing the Code of Conduct and enforcing guidelines against government misuse during elections.
Voter Participation Trends
- Voter turnout in India has been stable or rising, contrasting with declining trends in Europe and North America.
- In the 2004 elections, more than one-third of voters engaged in political activities, demonstrating increasing interest.
- Historically, poorer and underprivileged voters in India tend to participate more compared to affluent demographics, unlike the patterns observed in western democracies.
Conclusion on Electoral Democracy
- Elections in India are considered democratic due to the active participation of citizens and the independent operation of the Election Commission.
- The democratic process is reinforced by the people's belief that their participation can influence political party policies and governance.
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In this chapter, we explore the role of elections and representatives in a democracy. Learn how electoral competition among parties benefits the populace and why elections are essential for democratic governance. This quiz will test your understanding of the key concepts discussed in the chapter.