1.What makes an election democratic?
Ans. There are certain conditions which make an election democratic.These are as follows
(i) Election must be held regularly every five years.
(ii) Every eligible voter must have one vote with equal value.
(iii) There should be more than one party so that voters can , get some real choice.
(iv) Elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner and people should have foil freedom to vote for any candidate they like.
2.Write any five demerits of electoralcompetition.
Or
Write any three demerits of electoral competition.
Ans. Following are the demerits of electoral competition
(i) An electoral competition creates a sense of ‘disunity’ and ‘factionalism’ in every locality.
(ii) The pressure of winning electoral fights does not allow sensible long-term policies to be formulated.
3.What is the model code of conduct for election campaign?
Or
What is the model code of conduct for election campaign wSeh ’is accepted by all the political parties in our country?
Ans. A set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political and contesting candidates during election time is known as model code of conduct.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) Once elections are announced, ministers shall not lay foundation stones of any project.
4.Describe any three functions of the Election Commission of India.
Ans. The three majot function of Election Commission of India are
- Election commission takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections.
- It implements the code of convict and can punish any candidate or party that violates it.
- It controls the government officers who are posted on the election duty.
5.Mention any two provisions which ensure the independency of the Election Commission.
Ans.Two provisions which ensure the independency of the Election commission are as follows.
- The members of the Election Commission are appointed by the President of India, but the members are not answerable to the President of India.
- It is virtually impossible for the government to remove the members even if their work is not liked by the government.
6.Mention any three allegations about unfair practices in elections, reported in newspapers and television?
Ans. Newspapers and television generally report the following three allegations about unfair practices in elections
(i) Inclusion of false names and exclusion of genuine names in the voters’ list.
(ii) Misuse of government facilities and officials by the ruling party
(iii)Excessive use of money by rich candidates and big parties.
7.Highlight some issues which bring many limitations and challenges of Indian elections to our attention.
Or
Explain the challenges and limitation to free and fair elections in India.
Ans. Important issues which bring many limitations and challenges of Indian elections to our attention are following
- Candidates and parties with lot of money enjoy a big and unfair advantage over smaller parties or independent candidates.
- Candidates with criminal records have been able to push others Out of electoral race and – secure a ticket from major parties.
- Some families tend to dominate political** parties and secure tickets for their own family members.
- Smaller panics and independents suffer a huge disadvantage compared to bigger parties.
8.”One final test of the free and fairness of election lies in the outcome itself “. Justify the statement with the help of the outcomes of India’s elections. Or
Describe the importance of outcome of election in India.
Ans. The following points state outcomes of elections in India
(i) The ruling parties routinely lose elections in India both at the national and state levels. In fact in every two out of the three elections held in the last fifteen years, the ruling party lost.
(ii) Candidates who are known to have spent a lot of money on ‘buying votes’ and those with known criminal connections often lose elections.
(iii)Barring very few disputed elections, the electoral outcomes are usually accepted as ‘people’s verdict’ by defeated party.
So, considering the above points, it is truly said that one final test of the free and fairness of election lies in the outcome itself.
9.Differentiate between the General Election and By-election.
Ans. Differences between the general election and by-election are as
General election:
1.Elections are held in all constituencies at the same time either on the same day or within a few days. This is called a general election.
2.Elections are held regularly after every five years.
3.The representative elfKted in general election is elected for a full term of five years not for the remaining period of the house.
By election:
1.Election is held only for one constituency to fill the vacancy caused by death or resignation of a member. This is called a by-election.
2. Election is held before the expiry of 6 months from the date the seat falls vacant.
3.The representative elected in by-election is elected for the remaining period of the house not for five years.
10.How has the interest of the voters in the election-related activities increased in recent years in India?
Ans. The interest of the voters in the election-related activities has been increasing over the years.During the 2004 elections, more than one-third voters took part in a campaign related activity.More than half of the people identified themselves as being close to one or the other political parties. One out of every seven voters is a member of a political party.
11.In India, value of free and fair election has always been promoted’. Support the statement with facts.
Ans. Elections in India are free and fair as party that wins an election and forms government does so because people have chosen it over its rivals.
The following facts support the statement that value of free andfair election has always been promoted in India
(i) A choice is offered to the voter.
(ii) One vote has one value,
(iii)The choice is offered at regular intervals of time.
(iv)The preferred candidates should be elected.
In India, all these are followed in order to conduct free and fair elections.
12.Read the following graph andanswer the questions.
- What was the voter turnout in India and UK in 1991?
- What conclusion can be drawn from the voter turnout graph of India and UK from 1991 to 2005?
- How can the people’s participation in the elections be measured?
Ans.
- Voter turnout in India was 56% and in UK was 78% in 1991.
- Thcconchision drawn from the graphs is that the voter turnout in UK has.dedaicd.over the years. In India the voter tqmouthas almost remained the same with slight variations.
- People’s participation in the elections can be measured through voter turnout.