I. Answer the following questions.
1. Which of the following statements about the reasons 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.
Answer: c. Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary.
a. India has the largest number 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.
Answer: a. India has the largest number of voters in the world.
a. It is necessary to keep the voters list up to date because
b. Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that
c. Everyone has one and only one vote so that
d. Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicles because
i. There is a fair representation of all sections of our society
ii. Everyone has equal opportunity to elect their representative
iii. All candidates must have a fair chance of competing in elections
iv. Some people may have moved away from the area where they voted last
Answers:
a - iv. Some people may have moved away from the area where they voted last
b - i. There is a fair representation of all sections of our society
c - ii. Everyone has equal opportunity to elect their representative
d - iii. All candidates must have a fair chance of competing in elections
1. Making of voters’ list
2. Announcing election schedule
3. Filing nomination
4. Releasing election manifestos
5. Election campaign
6. Casting of votes
7. Ordering of re-poll
8. Counting of votes
9. 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 campaignAnswer: Ensure that all political parties and candidates have equal opportunities to campaign, monitor the campaign expenses, prevent the use of illegal means to influence voters, and ensure that the code of conduct is followed.
b. Polling dayAnswer: Ensure that polling stations are accessible and well-organized, provide security to prevent any kind of violence or intimidation, monitor the voting process to prevent any malpractices, and ensure that all eligible voters can cast their votes freely.
c. Counting dayAnswer: Ensure that the counting process is transparent and accurate, provide security to prevent any tampering or violence, allow party agents and observers to monitor the counting, and declare the results promptly and accurately.
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 Congress? If yes, why and for which communities? If no, why not?Answer: Without specific data, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions. However, if there is a significant underrepresentation of certain communities compared to their proportion in the population, it may indicate the need for a reservation system to ensure fair representation. For example, if minorities such as African Americans, Hispanics, or Native Americans are significantly underrepresented, a system of reservations might be considered to ensure their adequate representation in the legislative process. Conversely, if the representation is relatively proportional, reservations might not be necessary.
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.Answer: No.
1. The Election Commission has the power to supervise, direct, and control the entire process of conducting elections.
2. The Election Commission can order re-polling in case of malpractice and can disqualify candidates for violating the code of conduct.
b. There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.Answer: Yes.
1. Voter turnout in Indian elections is generally high, indicating active participation by the electorate.
2. Citizens actively engage in election campaigns, debates, and discussions, reflecting their interest and involvement in the electoral process.
c. It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.Answer: No.
1. Incumbent parties have often lost elections, showing that it is not easy for the party in power to secure victory.
2. The presence of an independent Election Commission ensures a level playing field for all parties.
d. Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.Answer: Yes.
1. There are still instances of electoral malpractices such as vote-buying and booth capturing.
2. The need for transparency in political funding and stricter implementation of the model code of conduct indicates areas for reform.
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?Answer: No, this decision does not go against the principles of democratic elections. Democratic principles include upholding justice and ensuring that individuals who have violated the law, especially in severe cases like dowry torture and untouchability, are held accountable and do not hold positions of power that could undermine the democratic process.
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 five lakh votes cast for one candidate were counted in favour of another.Suggestion: Nigeria can learn from India's practice of having an independent Election Commission that oversees the counting process. Implementing electronic voting machines (EVMs) with a paper trail can help ensure transparency and reduce human error or deliberate tampering.
b. Just before 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.Suggestion: Fiji can adopt strict regulations against hate speech and intimidation during elections, similar to India's Model Code of Conduct. The Election Commission should ensure that such threats are swiftly investigated, and the perpetrators are punished to maintain a peaceful and fair electoral environment.
c. In the US, each state has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting and its own authority for conducting elections. Authorities in the state of Florida took many controversial decisions that favoured Mr. Bush in the presidential elections in 2000. But no one could change those decisions.Suggestion: The US could consider a more standardized federal oversight for presidential elections, akin to the centralized authority of the Election Commission in India. This would ensure uniformity in voting and counting procedures and reduce the potential for state-level discrepancies and biases.
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 elections, the minister promised to provide financial aid to reopen the closed sugar mill.Problem: Misuse of official position and government resources to influence voters.
Solution: The Election Commission should enforce the Model Code of Conduct strictly and prevent such announcements. Ministers should be prohibited from making promises that could sway voters during the election period.
b. Opposition parties alleged that their statements and campaign was not given due attention in Doordarshan and All India Radio.Problem: Lack of equal media coverage for all political parties.
Solution: The Election Commission should ensure fair and unbiased media coverage. Public broadcasters like Doordarshan and All India Radio should provide equal airtime to all political parties during the election period.
c. An inquiry by the Election Commission showed that electoral rolls of a state contain the names of 20 lakh fake voters.Problem: Inaccurate and inflated electoral rolls.
Solution: The Election Commission should conduct regular and thorough updates of the electoral rolls, removing fake or duplicate names. Voter verification drives can help ensure that only eligible voters are listed.
d. The hoodlums of a political party were moving with guns, physically preventing supporters of other political parties from meeting the voters and attacking meetings of other parties.Problem: Intimidation and violence by political party supporters.
Solution: The Election Commission should work with law enforcement to ensure the security of all candidates and their supporters. Strict action should be taken against those who use violence and intimidation, and the deployment of additional security forces may be necessary in sensitive areas.
11. Ramesh was not in class when this chapter was being taught. He came the next day and repeated 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 to. So what is the point of giving them the right to vote?Answer: This statement is wrong because it assumes that women do not have independent opinions, which is not true. Women have the right to vote because they are equal citizens and can make their own choices. Democracy is based on the principle of equal participation of all citizens, regardless of gender.
b. Party politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus, not by competition.Answer: This statement is wrong because competition is essential for democracy. It allows voters to choose between different ideas and policies. Consensus without competition can lead to a lack of accountability and stagnation. Healthy competition ensures that different viewpoints are represented and that the best policies are implemented.
c. Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections.Answer: This statement is wrong because it discriminates against people based on their educational qualifications. Democracy is based on the principle of equal opportunity for all citizens to participate in governance. Setting such a criterion would exclude a large portion of the population who may be capable leaders despite not having formal education.
