Class 9 Social Science: ELECTIONS — Chapter Question Set

(c) 5 years

(b) Direct elections

(b) Direct elections

(b) Indirect elections

(b) Indirect elections

(b) Psephology

(a) 25 January 1950

(b) First-Past-The-Post

(a) Proportional Representation

(c) Plurality System

(b) Allocation of seats and delimitation

(c) Conduct of elections and disputes

(b) Determining seats and boundaries

(a) Article 82

(c) Four

(b) Articles 324-329

(d) All of the above

(c) Election Commission

(b) Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System

(a) 25 January

(b) 1985

(b) 52nd Amendment

(b) Disqualified

(b) Election Commission

(c) Multi-party system

(b) Contesting candidates

(b) Vehicles for election work

(b) Persons with disabilities

(b) Code of Conduct violations

(b) Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail

(b) Election Commission

(b) Updating, verifying, correcting electoral rolls

(b) ECI

(c) 28

(c) National, State, Registered-Unrecognised

(b) 2024 General Elections

(b) Voter services and election information

(b) Party instructions for voting

(a) Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad

(b) Legislative Council

(a) Legislative Assembly

(c) Six

(c) Polling station-wise

(c) 1952

(b) Electoral offences and corrupt practices

(a) Date of announcement of election

(b) Gets the most votes

(b) In proportion to votes received

(b) Pebble

(b) Disputes regarding party recognition and symbols

Elections are essential because they give citizens the right to choose their representatives. Elected representatives are accountable to the people, and voting is the principal means to exercise this right.

In direct elections, citizens vote directly to choose their representatives (Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha). In indirect elections, citizens vote for representatives who then elect the leaders (President, Rajya Sabha).

In FPTP, each voter votes for one candidate in their constituency. The candidate with the most votes wins, even if the votes are less than 50% of total votes polled.

In proportional representation, voters vote for a party, not a person. Seats in the Parliament are allotted in proportion to the total votes received by each party.

The RPA, 1950 deals with allocation of seats, delimitation of constituencies, preparation of electoral rolls, and ensures every citizen above 18 has the right to vote without discrimination.

The RPA, 1951 deals with conduct of elections and post-election disputes. It lays down rules for nomination, election campaigns, voting procedures, and resolution of disputes.

Delimitation is the process of determining number of seats and fixing territorial boundaries. It ensures equal representation by maintaining the ratio of seats to population as close to equal as possible.

ECI prepares electoral rolls, decides election schedule, registers political parties, allocates symbols, and ensures free and fair elections throughout the country.

SIR involves updating, verifying, and correcting electoral rolls. It ensures no eligible citizen is left out and no ineligible person is included in the electoral roll.

The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the ECI to regulate election campaigns and ensure fair play. It prohibits malpractices and ensures ethical campaigning.

The Anti-Defection Law (52nd Amendment, 1985) prevents defection. If a member voluntarily gives up party membership or votes against party whip, they can be disqualified.

Kudavolai was the 'ballot pot' system where names of eligible candidates were written on palm leaves and drawn by a child during public gathering to select village assembly representatives.

ECI provides Suvidha, Sugam, Saksham, cVIGIL apps, EVMs with Braille, voting from home for senior citizens 85+, and ETPBS for service voters.

ETPBS (Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System) enables service voters to cast their vote on an electronically received postal ballot from their preferred location outside their constituency.

IEVP is a flagship programme of the ECI for international cooperation with Election Management Bodies of other countries and international organisations. 5-MARK QUESTIONS (100 Words with Intro - Points - Conclusion)

Introduction: India uses different electoral systems - FPTP for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha, and Proportional Representation for Rajya Sabha, President, and Vice President.
Points:
• First-Past-The-Post (FPTP): Voters vote for one candidate in their constituency. The candidate with most votes wins. Example: Party A with 40% votes forms government.
• Proportional Representation (PR): Voters vote for a party. Seats are allotted in proportion to votes received. Example: Party M with 40% votes gets 40 seats out of 100.
• FPTP Advantages: Simple to understand, provides stable governments, establishes direct constituency-representative relationship.
• PR Advantages: More proportional representation, ensures minority voices, reduces wasted votes.
• India's System: FPTP for Lok Sabha ensures stable governments. PR for Rajya Sabha ensures representation of states and diverse interests.
Conclusion: India's choice of electoral systems balances the need for stable government with the need for proportional representation.

Introduction: The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional body established on 25 January 1950, vested with superintendence, direction, and control of elections.
Points:
• Electoral Roll: ECI creates electoral rolls through enumerators, conducts Special Intensive Revision to update and correct rolls.
• Election Schedule: Decides schedule considering weather, agricultural cycle, exams, and festivals.
• Party Registration and Symbols: Registers political parties, allocates symbols, resolves disputes regarding recognition and symbols.
• Model Code of Conduct: Enforces MCC from announcement to results. cVIGIL app allows reporting violations.
• Inclusive Initiatives: Saksham app for PwD, voting from home for senior citizens 85+, ETPBS for service voters, EVMs with Braille.
Conclusion: The ECI ensures free, fair, and inclusive elections through autonomous functioning and use of technology.

Introduction: Political parties play a fundamental role in Indian democracy by presenting diverse viewpoints and helping voters make informed choices.
Points:
• Representation: Political parties represent socio-cultural, political, ideological, and regional interests, reflecting India's diversity.
• Multi-party System: Several parties contest elections. The party or coalition with more than 50% seats forms government. Largest opposing group becomes opposition.
• Election Campaign: Parties present agendas, make promises in rallies, discuss and debate issues through various media platforms.
• Anti-Defection Law (1985): Prevents defection - leaving the party under whose banner the candidate was elected. Members can be disqualified for voluntarily giving up membership or voting against party whip.
• Registration: ECI registers and recognises parties as national, state, or registered-unrecognised based on specific criteria.
Conclusion: Political parties ensure effective functioning of democracy by providing governance, accountability, representation, and public engagement.

Introduction: The ECI has taken several initiatives to make the electoral process more inclusive, particularly for Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Service Voters.
Points:
• Suvidha App: For contesting candidates to get nomination forms, updates, and apply for permissions (meetings, rallies, vehicles, loudspeakers).
• Sugam App: Web-based application for managing vehicles requisitioned for election work.
• Saksham App: Helps PwD in registration for voting, finding polling stations, with customised services.
• cVIGIL App: Allows voters to report MCC violations with auto-location for prompt action.
• Physical Accessibility: EVMs with Braille, wheelchairs at polling stations, voting from home for senior citizens 85+ and PwD with 40% benchmark disability.
• ETPBS: For service voters to receive and cast postal ballots electronically from anywhere outside their constituency.
Conclusion: These initiatives ensure no voter is left behind and elections are truly inclusive and accessible.

Introduction: Despite numerous challenges, the ECI tries to ensure that elections at multiple levels are carried out impartially and fairly.
Points:
• Scale: India has over 96.8 crore voters across diverse regions. More than one million polling stations set up, including remote areas.
• Diversity: Elections conducted in 22 scheduled languages. Election symbols used for independent voting.
• Misconduct: Model Code of Conduct enforced. cVIGIL app allows reporting. Flying squads take prompt action.
• Security: Extensive security arrangements made. Police and army personnel on duty.
• Technology: Use of EVMs and VVPAT ensures transparency. Voter Helpline App provides information and services.
• Corruption: Electoral offences and corrupt practices listed in RPA, 1951. Measures against hoarding, black-marketing, and inducements.
Conclusion: With constant vigilance and active citizen participation, elections can become more representative and democracy more robust.