Electoral Politics
Chapter- 3
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.
Ans-
c. Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary.
2. Which of these is not a good reason to say that India elections are democratic?
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.
Ans- India has the largest number of voters in the world.
3. Match the following :
|
a. It is necessary to
keep the voters list up to date because | i.There is a fair representation of all sections of our society |
b. Some constituencies are
reserved for SCs and STs so that | ii. Everyone has equal opportunity to elect their
representative |
c. Everyone has one and only
one vote so that | iii. All candidates must have a fair chance of competing in
elections |
d. Party in
Power is not allowed to use government vehicles because | iv. Some
people may have moved away from the area where they voted last Ans- |
Answer.
4. List all the different election related activities mentioned in the chapter and arrange them in a time sequence, beginning with the first activity and ending with the last. some of these activities are given below: releasing election manifestos; counting of votes; casting of votes; list; election campaign; declaration of election results; casting of votes; ordering of re-poll; announcing election schedule; filing nomination.
Ans-
1. Making of Voters’ List
2. Announcing Election Schedule
3. Releasing Election Manifesto
4. Election Campaign
5. Filing Nomination
6. Casting of Votes
7. Ordering of Re-poll
8. Counting of Votes
9. Declaration of Election Results
5. Surekha is an officer in-change of ensuring free and fair elections in an assembly constituency in a state. Describe what should she focus on for each of the following stages of election:
a. Election campaign
b. Polling day
c. Counting day
Ans-
a. Election Campaign
I. Check law and order
II. Keep a check on muscle and money power
III. Keep a check on the expenditure limit of a candidate
IV. To ensure no promotion on the grounds of religion, caste or sex
b. Polling Day
i. Check the voters’ list
ii. Check on voters’ id
iii. Prevent booth capturing
iv. Ensure free and fair elections
c. Counting Day
i. Keep a fair counting practice
ii. Prevent the rigging of votes
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?
Ans-
Yes, reservations for Hispanics and Blacks should be present in the United States Congress. They are relatively less represented in the US Congress than whites, who are the majority in the United States.
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?
b. There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.
c. It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.
d. Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.
Ans-
a. No. The given conclusion for the Election Commission cannot be drawn because:
i. Election Commission released the code of conduct for elections and has the power to punish whoever violates them.
ii. During elections, the election in-charge works under the Election Commission of India and not the government.
b. Yes, the given conclusion can be drawn because:
i. Voter-turnout has soared in the past few years
ii. There has been an increase in people’s participation in election-related activities
c. No, it is not the right conclusion because:
i. The ruling party in one election loses the power in the next
ii. Despite a lot of expenditure in the election campaign, candidates lose
d. Yes, the conclusion is fair because:
i. Reforms will make it easier for small parties to face no major challenge in fighting an election
ii. To stop candidates’ facing criminal charges from running an election.
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 election?
Ans- No. The decision to not allow both Chinappa and Satbir to contest the elections for the crimes they committed is entirely justified. According to the election rules, no criminal can participate in the elections. Therefore, this is a fair verdict.
9. here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the would. 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.
Ans-
On the day of counting of votes, representatives of each party contesting the election should be present. Nigeria should follow this rule of elections prevailing in India.
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.
Ans-
In Fiji, the electoral commission should set up an inquiry-committee, and disqualify parties or candidates involved in this negative campaigning from elections.
c. In the US, each state has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting and its own authority for conducting election. 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 decision.
Ans-
The United States should have an election commission, which can make rules for the states for elections.
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.
Ans-
According to the code of conduct that a candidate must follow during elections, they are not required to make any promises. Therefore, in this case, the Election Commission should take this up with the Minister.
b. Opposition parties alleged that their statements and campaign was not given due attention in Doordarshan and All India Radio.
Ans-
The Election Commission should ensure free and impartial representation for all parties in the government-owned media.
c. An inquiry by the Election Commission showed that electoral rolls of a state contain name of 20 lakh fake voters.
Ans-
The Election Commission should declare re-election, as the presence of fake votes shows vote-rigging.
d. The hoodlums of a political party were moving with guns, physically preventing supporters of other political parties to meet the voters and attacking meetings of other parties.
Ans-
The Election Commission should ban the party, as the use of muscle power and money power is completely illegal.
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?
Ans-
In elections, a secret-ballot system is used where a person can vote for the party of his choice. Therefore, women can use their discretion and vote as they wish.
b. Party Politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus not by competition.
Ans-
Competition is important for any profession, as it inspires one to improve. Competition in elections ensures that candidates work hard for the community. Therefore, it should be encouraged.
c. Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections.
Ans-
Educational qualifications are not the only factor for a candidate to understand the social needs of people. Therefore, it should be fair if someone without a degree decides to contest the election.
Post ID: DABP001915
