1. What is a Universal Adult Franchise? Why has it been adopted in India?
Ans. Universal Adult Franchise
Right to express one’s choice by vote is called Franchise. When the right to vote or franchise is given to every adult in a state, it is known as the Universal Adult Franchise.
Reasons for Adopting in India
In India, elections are held on die basis of Universal Adult Franchise. To elect their representatives, elections are held from time to time. In India, we have indirect democracy.
The government is run by the representatives, who are elected by the people. Every citizen of India, who has completed 18 years of age, has been given the right to vote irrespective of his caste, religion, sex etc.
Everybody, whether he is rich qr poor, young or old, man or woman, learned or illiterate should have equal voice in our democracy. ‘One person, one vote’ makes our government responsible to all citizens.
2. How does our election law regulate campaigns?
Ans. In a democracy, it is best to leave political parties and candidates free to conduct election campaign. But it is also necessary to regulate campaign to ensure that every political party and candidate gets a fair and equal chance to compete. According to our election law, no party or candidate can
(i) bribe or threaten voters.
(ii) Use any place of Worship or appeal to the voters in the name of religion or caste.
(iii) use government resources, government vehicles, air crafts for elections.
(iv) spend more than Rs. 25 lakh in a constituency for a Lok Sabha election and Rs. 10 lakh in a constituency for ah Assembly election.
(v) once elections are announced, no minister can lay foundation stones of any project or take any policy decision.
3. Describe the rules and regulations regarding election campaign in India.
Ans. To regulate election campaign, there are some election rules and regulations.
According to thespjaws.no party or candidate can
(i) bribe hr threaten voters
(ii) appeal to them in the name of caste or religion.
(iii) use government resources for election campaign and
(iii) spend more than Rs. 25 lakh in a constituency for a Lok Sabha election or Rs. 10 lakh in a constituency in an Assembly election.
If any party or candidate is found practicing any of the above, their election can be rejected by the court even after they have won the election.
4.Why slogans are used by political parties. Mention any four successful slogans given by different political parties in various elections.
Ans. In election campaign, political patties use slogans to attract the public and get them to vote for their party on that basis.
Four successful slogans given by different politicalparties in various elections are
(i) The Congress party led by Indira Gandhi gave the slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’ (Remove Poverty) in the Lok .Sabha election of 1971.
(ii) ‘Save Democracy’ was the slogan given by Janata Party in the Lok Sabha election of 1977.
(iii) The Left Front use slogan of‘Land to the Tiller’ in the west Bengal Assembly election of 1977.
(iv) ‘Protect the Self-Respect of the Telugus’ was the slogan used by N. T. Rama Rao. The leader of The Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh election in 1983.
5. What is the procedure for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner in India?
Ans. In India, elections are conducted by an independent and very powerful ,Election Commission. The procedure for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner is
(i) The President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner.
(ii) Once appointed, the Chief Election Commissioner is – not answerable to the President or die government.
(iii) The Chief Election Commissioner has tenure of six years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
(iv) The status, salary and perks of the Chief Election Commissioner are equivalent to Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
(v) The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed . from office only through impeachment by the Parliament. So, it is virtually impossible to remove him.
6.”Both political party and candidate have to strictly follow the rules and the model code of conduct for election campaign”. Justify.
Ans. In addition to the laws, all the political parties in India have to agree a model code of conduct for election campaign.
According to this, no party or candidate can
(i) use any place of worship for election propaganda
(ii) use government vehicles, aircrafts and officials for elections. .
(iii) minister shall not lay foundation stones of any project, take any big policy decision or make any promise of providing public facilities.
Thus, it can be concluded that both political party and candidate have to strictly follow the rules and the model code of conduct for election campaign.
7. Read the following graph and answer the questions.
- Which social group in India and US has the highest voter turnout?
- How is the pattern of voter turnout in India different than in US?
- What measures can be adopted to increase the turnout of upper castes in India?
Ans. (a) In India, Scheduled Tribes (STs) has the highest voter turnout while in US it is whites.
(b) In India the voter turnout is more by the poor and underprivileged social group while in US the voter turnout is mom by the rich and affluent classes.
(c) The following measures can be adopted to increase the turnout of upper castes in India
(i) People should be motivated to cast their vote.
(ii) There should be campaigns to increase awareness and the value of voting.