Indian Elections Overview 1984

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Questions and Answers

What is the method called by which winners are declared in India's Lok Sabha elections?

Proportional Representation System

Majority Voting System

First Past the Post System (correct)

Single Transferable Vote System

Which party won the highest percentage of votes in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections?

BJP

CPI (M)

Janata

Congress (correct)

In the 1984 Lok Sabha election results, which party secured the least number of seats?

Akali Dal

BJP (correct)

AIADMK

DMK

How many constituencies is the country divided into for Lok Sabha elections?

543 Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Plurality System' refer to in the context of elections?

The system where the highest vote wins, even if less than 50% Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Congress party win more seats than its percentage of votes in the 1984 elections?

They won many constituencies without securing a majority of votes. Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the winner of a constituency in the First Past the Post system?

They can win with the highest votes, even if it's less than 50%. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following parties secured 30 seats in the 1984 Lok Sabha elections?

Telugu Desam Signup and view all the answers

What is the percentage of total votes that AIADMK received in the election?

40.77 Signup and view all the answers

Which party received the least number of seats in the election?

CPI Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does the FPTP system provide to larger parties?

Simple and familiar to ordinary voters Signup and view all the answers

How does the FPTP system influence the political landscape in India?

Facilitates a stable government through party coalitions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following parties did NOT win any seats?

BJP Signup and view all the answers

How many representatives can be elected from a single constituency?

Only one representative Signup and view all the answers

What does a voting system intended to encourage a multi-party system promote?

Increased social group collaboration Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the adoption of the FPTP system have in India post-independence?

Emergence of one party dominance Signup and view all the answers

In a proportional representation system, how does a party receive seats in the legislature?

In proportion to the percentage of votes they receive Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true about the FPTP system?

It easily allows new parties to gain power. Signup and view all the answers

What is required for a candidate to be declared the winner in Rajya Sabha elections under the Single Transferable Vote system?

A specific quota of votes determined by a formula Signup and view all the answers

How is the minimum quota of votes for winning in Rajya Sabha elections calculated?

Total votes divided by total candidates plus one Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the election process is true?

A candidate can win without the majority of votes Signup and view all the answers

What is the voting system used in Rajya Sabha elections?

Single Transferable Vote system Signup and view all the answers

What example of electoral outcome demonstrates that a candidate winning may not have a majority?

U.K. and India elections Signup and view all the answers

In the context of proportional representation, which characteristic is NOT true?

Voter can only vote for a candidate Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial duration for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies?

10 years Signup and view all the answers

How many seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes in the Lok Sabha as of 26 January 2019?

84 Signup and view all the answers

Which body is responsible for deciding the reservation of constituencies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes?

The Delimitation Commission Signup and view all the answers

What criterion does the Delimitation Commission use for reserving constituencies for Scheduled Tribes?

Proportion of ST population Signup and view all the answers

As of 2019, which group has a higher number of reserved seats in the Lok Sabha?

Scheduled Caste Signup and view all the answers

Who appoints the Delimitation Commission in India?

The President of India Signup and view all the answers

In the reservation context, which act previously allowed for separate electorates for Adivasis?

Government of India Act, 1935 Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the reservation of seats when the current period expires?

It can be extended by Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the Election Commission's improved independence over the last 25 years?

More effective use of existing powers Signup and view all the answers

In which year did the Election Commission face a significant challenge due to the assassination of a prominent leader?

1991 Signup and view all the answers

What action did the Election Commission take in Gujarat due to violence before the elections?

Postponed elections Signup and view all the answers

What power does the Election Commission NOT have?

Remove the Chief Election Commissioner Signup and view all the answers

How many Lok Sabha elections have been held since 1951–52?

Seventeen Signup and view all the answers

What challenge has the Election Commission faced in areas like Assam and Punjab?

Militancy-affected environments Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of not having the powers and privileges of the Election Commission?

Unfair elections Signup and view all the answers

What has been the general consensus on the Election Commission's performance in recent years?

It has improved in independence and assertiveness. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lok Sabha Election 1984

Congress won the most seats (415) with 48% of the votes
BJP won 2 seats with 7.4% of the votes
Janata won 10 seats with 6.7% of the votes

First Past the Post (FPTP) System

India uses the First Past the Post (FPTP) system for elections
The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins
The winning candidate may not have a majority of the votes
This is also known as the Plurality System

Proportional Representation (PR) System

PR system is used in other countries like Israel and Netherlands
PR system allocates seats in proportion to the votes received
This ensures a fair and balanced representation of all parties within the government

Rajya Sabha Elections

The Single Transferable Vote (STV) system is a voting method designed to achieve proportional representation through ranked preferences.
Each state has a fixed number of Rajya Sabha seats
Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) using a sophisticated preference ranking system, which allows voters to express their ordered preferences for candidates.
The candidate needs to secure a minimum number of votes based on the formula: (Total votes polled / total candidates + 1) + 1

Advantages of the FPTP system

This system encourages voters from different social groups to come together.
It helps major parties win clear majorities at the national and state levels.
It discourages parties that rely solely on votes from one caste or community.

Disadvantages of the FPTP system

This phenomenon often results in limited political diversity, as voters may feel compelled to support one of the two dominant parties to ensure their vote has meaning. Consequently, it stifles the development of alternative viewpoints and innovative policy proposals that could emerge from smaller parties.
The winning candidate may not have a majority of the votes.

India's Election System

The Constitution provides for reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
This provision guarantees representation of marginalized communities and ensures their voices are heard in the government.
The number of reserved seats for SCs and STs is proportional to their share in the Indian population.

Delimitation Commission

An independent body responsible for drawing the boundaries of constituencies across India.
The President of India appoints the Delimitation Commission.
It works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India.
Each state has a quota of reserved constituencies based on the SC and ST population.

The Election Commission of India

The Election Commission plays a crucial role in conducting free and fair elections in India.
It is a powerful body that enjoys independence and has the authority to:
- Issue orders to government employees during election-related duties.
- Cancel elections that are deemed unfair.
- The government cannot remove the Chief Election Commissioner.
The Election Commission has faced challenges in holding elections in volatile regions like Assam, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Electoral Reforms

Electoral reforms may be needed to address limitations in the current election system, such as:
- Reducing the power of money in elections.
- Ensuring transparency in election spending.
- Promoting voter awareness and participation.

Importance of an independent election Commission

The Election Commission's independence ensures that elections are free, fair, and democratic.
This independence is crucial for maintaining the credibility and legitimacy of the electoral process.

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Description

This quiz covers the key aspects of the 1984 Lok Sabha elections in India, including the outcomes for major political parties and the electoral systems used. It also discusses the First Past the Post and Proportional Representation systems, as well as the Rajya Sabha elections and the Single Transferable Vote method. Test your knowledge on these important electoral concepts!