Here are notes, questions, solutions, textual answers, pdf, and extras for chapter 13: Electoral Politics in a Democracy, which is a part of the social science class 9 syllabus for students studying under the Nagaland Board of School Education. However, these notes should be used only for references and additions/modifications should be made as per the requirements.
Introduction
India follows the indirect form of democracy also known as representative democracy. In this form of democracy, we choose a local leader who represents us in the state assemblies and parliament and makes decisions on our behalf. We follow this kind of democracy because India has a large population and direct democracy is not possible.
And it is not only for state assemblies and parliament that we choose leaders, but we also choose leaders to represent us in the panchayats, municipalities and village councils. To make democracy happen, the entire country has been divided into small parts and each part is represented by a local leader. These small parts are called constituencies. Now constituencies are also of two types- one is a reserved constituency and another is an unreserved constituency. In a reserved constituency, only a particular group of people can fight elections. In an unreserved constituency, anyone from anywhere can fight elections.
In this chapter, we will learn in detail about the various processes involved in conducting a democratic election and the different aspects of it.
Video tutorial
Textual questions and answers
Choose the correct answers
1. How many total seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the present Lok Sabha?
A. 120 B. 131 C. 140 D. 150
Answer: C. 140
2. Door to door canvassing is allowed till how many hours before the polling closes?
A. 36 B. 40 C. 48 D. 72
Answer: C. 48
3. What is the minimum age required to be eligible as a Member of Lok Sabha?
A. 20 years B. 18 years C. 25 years D. 30 years
Answer: C. 25 years
4. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner?
A. Prime Minister B. President C. Chief Justice of India D. Vice President
Answer: B. President
5. Which state has the largest number of members in the Vidhan Sabha?
A. Goa B. Bihar C. U.P. D. Maharashtra
Answer: C. U.P.
6. There are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the codes provided below:
Assertion (A): The minimum age to be nominated as a candidate is 25 years. Reason (R): There is no restriction because of education.
A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A) B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A) C. (A) is correct but (R) is wrong D. (A) is wrong but (R) is correct
Answer: B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
7. Which of the following statements regarding an election campaign is incorrect?
I. Opposition parties highlight the failures of the ruling party II. Parties focus public attention on big and contentious issues to attract votes III. Two weeks’ gap is kept between the declaration of candidates and polling of votes IV. Campaign is allowed till 48 hours before the polling begins.
A. I and II are incorrect B. III and IV are incorrect C. Only III is incorrect D. Only IV is incorrect
Answer: C. Only III is incorrect
Very short answer type questions
1. What is a constituency?
Answer: A constituency is an area, based on population, from which one representative is sent to the Lok Sabha.
2. What is the Universal Adult Franchise?
Answer: Universal Adult Franchise means every adult citizen should be able to vote. One vote for one person and every vote should have the same value.
3. How do elections lead to political competition?
Answer: Elections lead to political competition by way of different ideologies, policies, etc. All this competition is very healthy. Elections without competition would become meaningless.
4. What is the expenditure limit for a candidate during a Lok Sabha election?
Answer: The expenditure limit for a candidate during a Lok Sabha election is Rs 70 lakhs per candidate.
Short answer type questions
1. Explain the difference between:
(I) The ballot paper and EVM.
(II) General Constituency and Reserved Constituency.
Answer: (I)
| Ballot paper | EVM |
| I. A ballot paper is a sheet of paper on which the contesting candidates and their party’s name and symbol are listed. | I. Electronic Voting Machines show the names of candidates and party symbols. |
| II. Results are known slower compared to EVM. | II. Results are known faster than ballot papers. |
(II)
| General Constituency | Reserved Constituency |
| I. In these constituencies, only those who belongs to a scheduled caste or tribe can stand election. | I. In these constituencies, anyone belonging to any tribe or community can contest in elections. |
2. Why have seats been reserved for weaker sections in Lok Sabha and Assemblies?
Answer: People belonging to weaker sections, such as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, would, without reservations, never get an opportunity to win an election and become members of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas. If that happened, our Parliament would fail to be representative of a large section of our population. So, the makers of our constitution thought of a unique system of reserved constituencies for the weaker sections.
3. Describe the model code of conduct for an election campaign. [HOTS]
Answer: A model code of conduct is a set of rules that the Election Commission has drawn within which the political parties need to campaign, and if any party or candidate fails to adhere to the guidelines, there can be penalties. Some of these guidelines are:
I. Votes cannot be sought by an appeal to religious or caste sentiments of the voters.
II. Personal lives of opponents will not be attacked. Criticism to be limited to their policies, programmes, past record, and work.
Long answer type questions
1. Briefly discuss the steps taken to hold elections.
Answer: The process to hold elections begins with the identification of the number of constituencies after which the following steps are taken:
I. Voters List: After the number of constituencies are decided, the voters’ list is prepared which decides who can vote.
II. The nomination of Candidates: Political parties nominate their candidates who get the party symbol and support. This is called getting the “Party Ticket.”
III. Election Campaign: In India, two weeks gap is kept between the declaration of candidates and polling of votes. This period is for candidates to contact their voters, address, election, meetings and mobilize their supporters with the help of their respective parties.
IV. Polling and Counting of Votes: The last stage of an election is the day when the voters cast or ‘poll’ their votes. Every voter, whose name is in the voters’ list, goes to the nearest polling booth to cast his/her vote.
V. Declaration of results: The results are declared when counting is over. The candidate securing the highest number of votes from a constituency is declared the winner.
2. In a democracy, elections are a must. Discuss.
Answer: In a democracy, elections are a must because there is no other democratic way of selecting representatives except through elections and voting. That is the only way to make sure that the government represents the will, the choice of the people. One could choose representatives on the basis of education, wisdom, honesty, and experience, but this would be selected. They may not represent those who are liked by the people. The only way to ensure true representation is through elections.
3. Is it good to have political competition? Why? Why not?
Answer: Yes, it is good to have political competition. Without political competition, people who would be choosing their representatives would not be able to make a clear decision. They need to be aware of which candidate and political party is bringing what on the table and what problems of the voters they are promising to solve and how. Political competition brings out the different ideologies and policies of different political parties. Elections also make the people aware of the national problems. Through the manifestos of different political parties, people come to know how each party is going to deal with national problems.
All this competition is very healthy. Elections without competition would become meaningless.
4. Discuss the basic features essential for a democratic election.
Answer: The basic features essential for a democratic election are:
I. Every citizen should be able to vote. One vote for one person and every vote should have the same value.
II. There should be candidates and parties who are allowed to contest elections.
III. Elections should be free and fair. Every person chosen by the people should get elected.
IV. Elections should be held at regular intervals.
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Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger. He manages Online Free Notes and reads Victorian literature. His favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and he hopes to travel the world. Get in touch with him by sending him a friend request.
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