ELECTORAL POLITICS IN DEMOCRACY

Chapter-13
Very short answer type questions:

1. What is a constit5tuwency?

Ans. A constituency is the division of a state on the basis of population from

where a representative can stand for election to the Lok Sabha or state assembly.

2. What is universal adult franchise?

Ans. Universal adult fr4anchise is the right of every citizen to vote after attaining a
certain required age irrespective of caste, creed, gender, religion and education.

3. How does election lead to political competition?

Ans. Election leads to political competition among various political parties and
their ideologies and policies. At the level of the constituency it takes the form of
competition among many candidates and personalities.

4. What is the expenditure limit for a candidate during Lok Sabha election?

Ans. The expenditure limit for a candidate during a Lok Sabha election is 70 lakhs.

Short answer type questions:

1. Explain the difference between:

a. Ballot paper and EVM: A ballot paper is a sheet of paper on which the
contesting candidates and their parties name and symbol is listed.

EVM is an electoral voting machine which are used to record voters. Under
these systems election results are known faster than the counting of the ballot
paper.
b. General constituency and reserved constituency: General constituency is one
which anybody can contest for election by having all the necessary qualification. It
is an unreserved constituency.

Whereas reserved constituency is one which only a person who belongs to the
reserved category can contest for election.

2. Why has been a seat reserved for the weaker sections in Lok Sabha and
assemblies?

Ans. The weaker section without reservation never gets any opportunity to win an
election and become members of the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies (Vidhan
Sabha). They would never have the resource; the education and the contact to
fight an election on equal terms against other candidates.

3. Discuss the model code of conduct for an election campaign.

Ans. Following are some of the model code of conduct for an election campaign:

I. Influencing the voters in favor of the party in power by concessions or

financial assistance is prohibited.
II. Officials’ vehicles cannot be used for electioneering works.
III. The campaigners must respect the home, right of their rivals.
IV. Candidate must get the permission of local authorities for the use of loud
speakers.
V. Election rallies and road shows must not hinder the road traffic.

Long answer type questions:

1. Briefly discuss the steps taken to hold elections.

Ans. Following are the steps taken by the election commission of India to hold
election.

I. Declaration of the election on various dates.

II. Filling the nomination paper.
III. Scrutinizing of nominations.
IV. Withdrawal of nominations. Election campaigns.
 V. Polling.
VI. Counting of votes.
VII. Declaration of results.

2. In democracy elections are a must. Discuss.

Ans. There is no other democratic way of selecting representative except through

election and voting. This is the only way to make sure that government represent
the will, the choice of the people. One could choose the represent6ative on the
basis of education, wisdom, honesty, experience. They may not represent those
who are liked by the people. The only way to ensure true representation is
through elections.

In an election voters can choose:

I. The party that would make policies and guide the government in law
making.
II. They will choose the people who will make laws for them.
III. The will choose the people who will sit in government and take major
decisions.

3. Is it good to have political competition? Why? Why not?

Ans. Yes competition is essential for democracy. People can select their
representative through election and voting. One could choose representative on
the basis of wisdom, honesty and experience. True represe3ntration will be
possible only through political competition.

Election in a democracy leads to political competitions. All the modern

democracy has competitions between political parties. It also involves
competitions among various ideologies and policies of different political parties.
People can select candidates on the basis of ideologies they follow. We have
national parties functioning at national level and regional party working at
regional level. Election in India is a competition among the political parties.
Therefore political competition is a must in a democracy.
4. Discuss the basic essential features for a democratic election.

Ans. Following are the basic features essential for a democratic election.

I. Universal adult suffrage: every citizen, eighteen years and above should be
able to cast vote during election.
II. One vote for one person and every vote should have the same value.
III. There should be candidates and parties who are allowed to contest election.
IV. Election should be free and fair. Every person chosen by the people should
get elected.
V. Election should be held at regular intervals.