Electoral Politics Chapter 3

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?

Assembly constituencies Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the voters' list in a democratic election?

Electoral Roll Signup and view all the answers

Everyone who is 18 years of age or older has the right to vote.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups have reserved seats in the Lok Sabha?

Scheduled Castes (SC) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'one vote one value' signify?

Each vote should have equal value. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following features of our electoral system with the principles they reflect:

Universal adult franchise = Everyone who is 18 years of age or older has a right to vote Open political competition = Anyone can form a party or contest elections Reservation for weaker sections = Reservation of seats for the SCs and the STs One vote one value = Each constituency has roughly the same population Signup and view all the answers

How often is the voters' list revised?

Every five years Signup and view all the answers

What was the first action promised by Devi Lal's government if elected?

To waive loans of farmers and small businessmen Signup and view all the answers

Devi Lal's party, Lok Dal, won 76 out of 90 seats in the Haryana Assembly elections.

True Signup and view all the answers

Who was invited by the Governor to become the Chief Minister after the 1987 Haryana elections?

Devi Lal Signup and view all the answers

Which party won the Haryana Assembly elections in 1991?

Congress Signup and view all the answers

Elections are considered essential in any __________ democracy.

representative Signup and view all the answers

What is required for choosing representatives in a democracy?

Elections Signup and view all the answers

What is one criterion for a democratic election?

Every vote should have equal value Signup and view all the answers

Why are elections important in a democracy?

They allow voters to choose their representatives and influence government policies. Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to political competition creating disunity?

Factionalism Signup and view all the answers

Non-democratic countries do not hold elections.

False Signup and view all the answers

What happens when elections are not free and fair?

The legitimacy of the election is questioned, and public trust declines. Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of voter turnout in India in the year 2015?

78% Signup and view all the answers

In India, the poor and underprivileged people vote in larger proportions compared to the rich?

True Signup and view all the answers

Match the following social groups with their respective voter turnout percentages in India, 2004:

Upper Caste = 60% OBC = 56% SC = 58% ST = 40% Signup and view all the answers

About ___% of voters participated in election-related activities in India during 2004.

33 Signup and view all the answers

How do people in India view the importance of elections?

They attach a lot of importance to elections. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false? (Select all that apply)

Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is not a good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic?

In India, the losing parties accept the electoral verdict. Signup and view all the answers

What was the slogan used by the Left Front in the West Bengal Assembly elections held in 1977?

Land to the Tiller Signup and view all the answers

What was the slogan used by N.T. Rama Rao in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections in 1983?

Protect the Self-Respect of Telugus Signup and view all the answers

In a Lok Sabha election, a candidate cannot spend more than $______ lakh in a constituency.

25 Signup and view all the answers

Political parties start preparing for elections only during the two weeks before the elections.

False Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of voters actually cast their votes in the Gulbarga constituency in 2014?

50.82% Signup and view all the answers

The Election Commission is appointed by the Prime Minister of India.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the voting machines used in elections called?

Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) Signup and view all the answers

The government spent about $______ crores in conducting Lok Sabha elections in 2014.

3500 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a prohibited activity for candidates during elections?

Introduce new policies before election Signup and view all the answers

The presence of party agents is allowed at polling booths and counting centers.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Chief Election Commissioner in India?

To oversee and ensure free and fair elections Signup and view all the answers

Which electoral practice is considered unfair?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Match the following statements with their explanations:

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 = everyone has equal opportunity to elect their representative Everyone has one and only one vote so that = all candidates must have a fair chance of competing in elections Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicles because = there is a fair representation of all sections of our society Signup and view all the answers

List all the different election-related activities and arrange them in a time sequence.

<ol> <li>Announcing election schedule; 2. Filing nomination; 3. Making of voters' list; 4. Election campaign; 5. Casting of votes; 6. Counting of votes; 7. Declaration of election results; 8. Ordering of re-poll; 9. Releasing election manifestos.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What should Surekha focus on during the election campaign?

Ensuring all candidates have fair opportunities and that campaigning is done within the legal framework. Signup and view all the answers

What should Surekha focus on polling day?

Monitoring the voting process ensures transparency and fairness. Signup and view all the answers

What should Surekha focus on counting day?

Ensuring the counting process is fair, accurate, and transparent. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the proportion of different communities among winners, would you suggest a system of reservations in the US Congress?

Yes, to ensure fair representation of minorities such as Blacks and Hispanics. Signup and view all the answers

What are two facts supporting the position that the Election Commission of India does not have enough powers?

<ol> <li>Limited authority to enforce rules; 2. Lack of resources to monitor elections effectively.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are two facts suggesting a high level of popular participation in Indian elections?

<ol> <li>High voter turnout rates; 2. Increased public engagement and interest in the electoral process.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are two facts indicating it is easy for the party in power to win an election?

<ol> <li>Access to government resources; 2. Control over electoral narratives.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are two facts stating that many reforms are needed for free and fair elections?

<ol> <li>Need for stronger regulations on campaign finance; 2. Reforms in election commission autonomy.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Does the decision to disallow Chinappa and Satbir from contesting elections go against the principles of democratic elections?

True Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to address electoral malpractices in Nigeria?

Implement stringent monitoring and verification systems during vote counting. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to address threats to voters in Fiji?

Create strict laws against voter intimidation and ensure safe voting environments. Signup and view all the answers

What advice would you give to improve electoral practices in the US?

Standardize voting procedures across states to ensure fairness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the wrong statement about women's voting behavior?

Women always vote the way men tell them to. Signup and view all the answers

What is wrong with the idea that only graduates should stand as candidates for elections?

This excludes a large segment of the population from political participation. Signup and view all the answers

Did you take the National Voters’ Day pledge?

Yes or No. Signup and view all the answers

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.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

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.