JKBOSE 9th Class Social Science Solutions Chapter 3 Electoral Politics 

The term Democracy is widely understood as the synonym of ‘Representative Democracy’.

For Representative Democracy elections are very essential.

Elections are held regularly in any democracy.

(i) Everyone should be able to choose.

(ii) Every citizen should have one vote and should have equal value.

(iii) Parties and citizens should be free to contest election.

(iv) Elections should be free and fair.

Elections mean Electoral competition. Electoral competition has many demerits.

(i) territorial representation; and

(ii) functional representation.

In India territorial representation system is adopted.

Single constituency system is adopted in India.

Seats are reserved for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes. In the Lok Sabha 84 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 47 for Scheduled Tribes.

In India voting age is 18 years.

No educational qualifications for the candidates.

During Election Compaigns candidates contact their voters.

Election Commission is responsible for the conduct of elections in India.

Election Procedures : Many stages of Election.

Defects of Indian Electrol System.

Remedies to remove the defects.

Code of Conduct : During election political parties and candidates have to follow a set of norms and guidelines i.e. code of conduct.

Constituency : A geographical area from where voters elect a representative to the legislalture.

Incumbent : The current holder of a political office.

Rigging : Fraud and malpractice used by parties or candidates at the polling booth.

Turnout : Percentage of voters who cast their votes in an election.

(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).

(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.— (a).

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.— A. IV B. I C. II D. III.

Ans.—1. Delimitation of Constituencies

2. List of Voters

3. Announcing election schedule

4. Polling Stations are established

5. Filing of Nomination Papers

6. Withdrawal of Nominations

7. Scrutiny and objection

8. Election Campaign

9. Election Manifesto

10. Polling (Casting of Votes)

11. Ordering of re-poll

12. Counting of Votes

13. Declaration of election results.

Ans.— (a) Surekha should see that all political parties and candidates should follow the code of conduct during election campaign.

(b) On polling day Surekha should supervise that polling takes place peacefully There should be no bogus voting and no rigging of election. There should be no booth capturing.

(c) Surekha should supervise the counting of votes and the candidate getting the highest votes is declared elected.

	House of representatives	Population of US
Blacks	8	13
Hispanics	5	13
Whites	86	70

Ans.— There should be no reservation for any community in the American Congress. Reservation is, in fact, against the democratic principles. Democracy is based on the principle of equality. Every citizen enjoys one vote and equal value of vote. Moreover, reservation for any community creates sense of disunity and factionalism. If representation is to be given in accordance with the percentage of the population then it is better to adopt proportional representation method.

Ans.— (a) This statement is not true. Election Commission of India is very powerful. I. Election Commission supervises, directs and controls the elections.

II. The Election Commission is responsible to conduct free and fair election. The Election Commission has a power to reprimand the government and administration for their lapses.

(b) This statement is also not correct. I. Popular participation in the election in India is not very high. II. In India popular participation is generally about 58 per cent.

(c) The statement is not true. I. The ruling parties routinely lose elections in India both at the national and state level. II. For example in 2014 Ruling Party (United Progressive Alliance) lost the Lok Sabha elections in 2014. In 2005 in Haryana ruling party National Lok Dal lost the elections and Congress won the elections.

(d) This statement is true to some extent.

Ans.— This decision is not against the principles of democratic elections. Criminals should not be allowed to contest elections. The court has done a right thing. The court order is in accordance with the provision of law.

(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.

(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.

(c) In the US, each state has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting and its own authority for conducting elections. 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 decisions.

Ans.— (a) To check malpractices at the time of counting of votes, it is better to use EVMs.

(b) To conduct free and fair election code of conduct should be framed. All political parties and candidates should follow the code of conduct strictly.

(c) In U.S.A. there is a great need of uniformity in the procedure of election for all states. For this purpose an independent Election Commission should be established. Election should be conducted by the Election Commission.

(a) Following the announcement of elections, the minister promised to provide financial aid to reopen the closed sugar mill.

(b) Opposition parties alleged that their statements and campaign were not given due attention in Doordarshan and All India Radio.

(c) An inquiry by the Election Commission showed that electoral rolls of a state contain name of 20 lakh fake voters.

(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.— (a) The minister has violated the code of conduct. Hence action should be taken against the minister.

(b) There is misuse of Doordarshan and All India Radio by the government, This malpractice can be checked by making Doordarshan and All India Radio autonomous body.

(c) All fake voters’ name should be removed from the electoral roll. Electoral roll should be thoroughly checked and revised and action should be taken against the officials concerned.

(d) Election Commission should check the hoodlums of a political party. Law and order should be maintained. All political parties should have election meetings peacefully.

Ans.— (a) Women should be given the right to vote because democracy is based on the principle of equality. Secondly, it is not essential that all women always vote the way men tell them to. In the modern age women are highly qualified and ambitious. The women are taking very active and intelligent part in politics. Smt. Sonia Gandhi is the president of Indian National Congress.

(b) No doubt party politics creates tension in the locality, but still electoral competition is the best method to elect people’s representative. Electoral Competition gives chance to the voters to elect the candidate of their choice. is not in accordance with the democratic

(c) This statement is wrong because it principles. Educational qualification is not relevant in politics. People’s representative should have ability to understand people’s problems and to represent their interests. Even if education is relevant, it should be left to the people. People should be the ultimate authority to decide whether they want educated candidate or illiterate candidate.

Moreover, if only graduates are allowed to contest election then more than per cent of the citizens will not be eligible to contest election. This is against principle of equality on which democracy is based.

(i) India

(ii) England

(iii) France

(iv) Switzerland

Ans.— (i) India.

(i) 21 years

(ii) 25 years

(iii) 20 years

(iv) 18 years.

Ans.— (iv) 18 years.

(i) Prime Minister

Ans.— (iii) Election Commissioner.

(i) Democracy

(ii) Dictatorship

(iii) Monorchy

(iv) Aristocracy.

Ans.— (i) Democracy.

(i) Pressident

(ii) Prime Minister

(iii) Election Commission

(iv) Parliament.

Ans.— (iii) Election Commission.

(i) Representatives

(ii) King

(iii) Bureaucrats

(iv) Queen.

Ans.— (i) Representatives.

1. The Right to ………. is called Franchise.

2. ………… is a process of electing the representative for legislature.

3. The tenure of the members of Election Commission is …….. years.

4. ..…… seats are reserved for schedule caste in the Lok Sabha.

Ans.— 1. Vote. 2. Election, 3. Six, 4. 84.

1. Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by President.

2. Smt. Meera Devi is Chief Election Commissioner. dent.

3. 16th Lok Sabha election was held in 2014.

4. The Party that wins the election forms the government.

5. 17th Lok Sabha is constituted in 2019.

Ans.— 1. √, 2. x, 3.√, 4. √. 5. √.

Ans.— The right to vote is called franchise.

Ans.— Election is a process of electing the representatives for legislature.

Ans.— Candidate is one who contests election to the legislative bodies.

Ans.— Nomination means act of offering one’s name as candidate for elections.

Ans.— When election takes place after the expiry of fixed tenure of the legislative body, it is called general election. General election is a democratic method used for choosing people’s representatives,

Ans.— When the general election is held before it is due, it is called mid-term election.

Ans.— When election is held to fill a particular seat, it is called bye-election.

Ans.— The dates for general election are decided by the Election Commission.

Ans.— For election to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, notification is issued by the President. For the legislative assembly election notification is issued by the Governor.

Ans.— The candidature for election of a particular contestant is proposed by voters in a printed form called nomination paper, within the date fixed for filing the nomination paper.

Ans.— Election symbols are given to every political party because it helps the voter to locate the name of the candidate of his choice at the time of marking the ballot paper. Election symbol is of great help to illiterate voters.

Ans.— Election Commission consists of one Chief Election Commissioner and two other members.

Ans.— The members of the Election Commission can be removed on the charges of misbehaviour or incapacity.

Ans.— In India right to vote is enjoyed by those citizens who are not less than 18 years of age.

Ans.— (i) In India joint system of election is adopted.

(ii) Secret ballot system exists in India.

Ans.— Members of the Election Commission are appointed by the President of India.

Ans.— (i) He must be a citizen of India.

(ii) He must not be less than 18 years of age.

Ans.— The growing influence of money in elections is badly influencing the electoral system in India.

Ans.— Right to vote is the most important political right. It is through the exercise of this right that citizens in democracy take part in the government of the country.

Ans.— The tenure of the members of the Election Commission is six years.

Ans.— The Election Commission supervises, directs and controls the election process.

Ans.— In India election petitions are heard by the High Courts or Supreme Court.

Ans.— Election propaganda is carried out through election manifesto of each party, public meetings, door to door canvassing, pamphlets etc.

Ans.— The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President of India.

Ans.— Sh. Sunil Arora.

Ans.— Part XV (Articles 320-329) of the Constitution deals with election.

Ans.— The general election for the 16th Lok Sabha was held in 2014.

Ans.— It is a method of exercising the right to vote by a person whereby other cannot know about his choice of candidate.

Ans.— Election symbols constitute a convenient method of knowing a candidate or a party, especially in a country where majority of people are illiterate.

Ans.— Strict action should be taken against those who indulged in booth capturing and bogus voting.

Ans.— For the successful electoral system Election Commission should be completely independent and the government should not have any control on the Election Commission.

Ans.— In the election if a candidate dies, election in that constituency is countermanded. Countermanded means postponement of election in the event of the death of a candidate.

Ans.— The party that wins the election forms the government.

Ans.— (i) Haryana 10 seats, (ii) Punjab 13 seats, (iii) Himachal Pradesh 4 seats.

Ans.— Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh.

Ans.— By adult franchise we mean that every citizen, both male and female, above the age of maturity, irrespective of caste, colour, creed, property, education, profession etc, is entitled to enjoy the right to vote in the election. The age of attaining maturity is fixed by the state. In England and in India it is 18 years.

Ans.—1. Political Education : An important advantage of Adult Franchise is that it gives political education to the people. As the people go to the poll periodically, they get an opportunity to receive political education.

2. Spirit of Self-respect : Through the system of adult franchise the people develop the spirit of self-respect. They think themselves a very important part of the machinery of the state.

Ans.— 1. Uneducated should not be given the right to vote : Right to vote is not only a right but it is a responsibility also. Educated persons can perform this responsibility very well.

2. Citizens are not equal : All citizens are not equal. Some are wise from their very birth and others are fools. So all citizens cannot be given the right to vote.

Ans.— The Election Commission consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners the President may fix from time to time. At present there is a Chief Election Commissioner and two other members in the Election Commission.

Ans.— 1. The Election Commission supervises, directs and controls the election process.

2. The Election Commission fixes the time-table for the election.

Ans.— 1. Electoral Notification : The electoral process is formally set into motion by a presidential announcement calling upon electors to elect their representatives to the Lok Sabha.

2. Filing of Nomination Paper : The Election Commission fixes last date for filing the nominations for election.

Ans.— 1. Every main political party and sometimes independent candidates issue election manifesto.

2. Political parties and candidates arrange public meetings and processions, by which they try to persuade the voters in their favour through their speeches and personalities.

Ans.— Every state has a Chief Electoral Officer. He is an officer of the state government. The Chief Electoral Officer is nominated by the Election Commission in consultation with the state government. The Chief Electoral Officer supervises the preparation, revision and correction of all electoral rolls in the state. He also supervises the conduct of all elections in the state. District Election Officer works under the supervision, direction and control of the Chief Electoral Officer.

Ans.— Each constituency is divided into polling stations. Each polling station is manned by a Presiding Officer. A Presiding Officer is appointed by the District Election Officer. The Presiding Officer after verification of the voter from the electoral roll, issues him/her the ballot paper. After the election is over it is the function of the Presiding Officer to seal the ballot boxes and to deposit them at the collection centre.

Ans.— Important changes have taken place in the character of Indian electorate Two important changes are as follows :

(i) The Indian voter has become more politicised. Indian electorates are now taking more interest in the political activities of the country. Indian voters are now more conscious politically.

(ii) Indian electorates are more concerned with the contemporary events and problems than with the past achievements or activities of the parties.

Ans.— Right to vote is the most important political right. It is through the exercise of this right that citizens in a democracy take part in the government of the country. This right increases the status and dignity of the citizens because big persons approach them for their votes. By this right, citizens can change the government as was done in Haryana in Feb. election of 2005.

Ans.— 1. Independence of Election Commission : For the successful electoral system Election Commission should be completely independent and the government should not have any control on the Election Commission.

2. Check on the misuse of official machinery : For the successful electoral system there should be checking on misuse of official machinery so that ruling party should not get undue advantage in the election.

Ans.— Election Commission allots symbols to political parties participating in elections. These symbols are identification of political parties. In India maximum voters are illiterate. So by recognising election symbol they choose their favourite party and give vote to that party.

Ans.— (i) Without election democracy is not possible. Without elections rule of the people is neither possible nor desirable.

(ii) Without election it is not possible to select the representatives. It is not possible for all the people to sit at one place and select the representatives on the basis of knowledge and education. Hence elections are needed for a democratic system.

Ans.— (i) Elections give chance to voters to take part in the political affairs of the country.

(ii) Through elections voters can choose who will form the government.

(iii) Through elections voters can choose the party whose policies will guide the government.

(iv) Elections provide education to the voters.

(v) Elections are training ground for the people in the art of government.

Ans.— Electoral reforms are necessary in India to :

(i) uphold value system and maintenance of value system.

(ii) debar criminals from contesting elections.

(iii) ensure representation of women and minorities.

(iv) ensure voter awareness and participation.

(v) consolidate the gains of democracy.

(vi) make the election machinery effective and credible.

(vii) to regulate the functioning of political parties.

Ans.— Elections are very essential for a democratic system. But most nondemocratic countries like China also hold some kind of elections. For democracy it is essential that election should be democratic. Minimum conditions of a democratic election are as follow :

1. Adult Franchise : Every adult citizen should have a right to vote. No one should be denied the right to vote without a good reason.

2. Equal Value of Vote : Every citizen should have one vote and the value of every vote should be equal.

3. Freedom to contest Election : Political parties and candidates should be free to contest election. So that there should be real choice to the voters.

4. Regular Elections : Elections should be held regularly after every few years.

5. People’s Decision Final : A candidate preferred by the voter should be declared elected.

6. Free and Fair : Elections should be held free and fair. Government machinery or official should not interfere in the election.

Ans.— Democratic elections are must for the successful working of democracy. Elections are, in fact, political competition between the political parties to capture power. Electoral Competition is good for the health of democracy. But electoral competition has many drawbacks :

(i) Electoral competition encourages disunity and factionalism in every locality.

(ii) During elections party-politics dominates in every constituencies or locality.

(iii) To win elections all methods are used. Money plays a big role in elections.

(iv) To win election political parties and candidates used caste factor. Many political parties have been framed on the basis of casteism.

(v) Like casteism communal feelings and religion has greatly affected Indian elections.

(vi) In the electoral battle the role of muscle power is assuming very dangerous trends. During elections sometimes candidates and their supporters are physically assaulted by their opponents.

(vii) Muscle power has, to some extent, criminalized our elections.

Ans.—The election system is a political device through which democratic state creates among its citizens a sense of involvement and participation in public affairs. The main functions of elections are as under :

(i) Elections give chance to voters to take part in the political affairs of the country.

(ii) The election serves as a plebiscite, referendum or a mandate. Elections are the instruments for choosing the leaders and also determining the will of the people. Through election voters approve or reject the policies of the government.

(iii) Rosenan uses the term support-building as an all embracing function of election. Through election legitimacy of the government is established.

(iv) Elections provide political stability.

(v) Another important function of the elections is to bring the individual citizen into closer contact with the political system. It gives them the feeling that they are important part of the political system of the country.

(vi) Elections provide a means of protection to every voter.

(vii) Elections provide education to the voters. In fact elections are training grounds for the people in the art of government.

(viii) Elections serve important functions in the area of political recruitment and training.

(ix) Elections are important agencies of political communications between the people and the government.

(x) In a democratic state, elections are the means through which the will of people is expressed. Voters decide who shall govern them. Conflicts are decided by ballots and not by bullets.

Ans.— As soon as Election Commission issues notification for the date of polling, different political parties and independent candidates start their elections campaign within prescribed rules. The following are the important techniques of election campaign :

1. Election Manifesto : Every main political party and sometimes independent candidates issue Election Manifesto. Election Manifesto is a document which contains the policies and programme of political parties. By comparing the election-manifesto of the various political parties voters can understand the view and policies of different parties on different issues.

2. Public Meetings and Processions : Members of different political parties and candidates arrange public meetings and processions, by which they try to persuade the voters in their favour through their speeches and personality. For example, Mr. Narender Modi, in his election campaign in 2014 of 45 days,

addressed 285 scheduled public meetings, reaching out in person to more than 50 million people.

3. Wall-paintings, Posters and Big Leaflets etc. : Wall-paintings, posters etc. are other important techniques of election-campaign which not only make colourful different walls of cities, but also print the minds of common men.

4. T.V. and Radio : In the present age, the most sophisticated way of campaigning is broadcast speeches of leaders of political parties on T.V. and Radio. In 1977, it was started for the first time in India and the system continued till date.

5. Door to Door Canvassing : In this technique the leaders of different political parties go from door to door or area to area for canvassing of their candidates.

6. Slogans : It is a very popular and influential technique of election campaign. In 1971, ‘Garibi Hatao’ and in 1980, ‘Indira Lao Desh Bachao’ were very popular slogans of Congress (I).

7. Flags and Banners : Flags and banners are another method of election-campaign.

8. Loud-speakers and Gramophones : Different party-workers and candidates arrange different types of vehicles and fit loud speakers and gramophones on them for noisy canvassing from mohalla to mohalla.

Ans.— India is a democratic country. But India had adopted indirect democracy. Administration is run by the representatives of the people, who are elected for a fixed term. In India election procedure is as follows :

1, Constituencies : The first important task in election is delimitation of constituencies.

2. List of Voters : First, a temporary list of voters is prepared. If anybody’s name is excluded in the list, he can ask for inclusion of his name. But such a request is to be made within a fixed time.

3. Appointment : Senior and Junior staff for election purposes are appointed and supervised.

4. Polling Station : In each constituency polling stations are established and fixed number of voters are directed to cast their votes there.

5. Filing of the Nomination Papers : After the appointment of the date of election, nomination papers are filed in favour of candidates.

6. Withdrawal of Nomination : Candidates are allowed to withdraw their name from election. But this is to be done before the last date for withdrawal.

7. Scrutiny and Objections : On the fixed date nominations papers are scrutinised and those papers, which are not proper, are rejected and the names of eligible candidates are announced.

8. Propaganda : With the announcement of election, political parties and independent candidates start propaganda and try to influence the voters.

9. Polling : On the day of the polling, holiday is declared so that each voter can cast his vote. At polling booth voters are given ballot paper and the voter stamps against the name of the candidate, whom he wants to vote. After that the voter puts the ballot paper in the ballot box.

10. Counting of Votes : On the fixed date ballot boxes are opened in the presence of the representatives of the candidates and votes are counted. A candidate getting the highest votes is declared elected. If a candidate failed to get one-sixth of the votes then he loses his security also.

11. Election Expenses : Each candidate has to submit the accounts of election expenditure to the Election Commission within forty five days of the declaration of result. The amount of election expenditure is fixed.

Ans.— Role of Money in Election : The role of money in electoral politics has assumed dangerous proportion.

Every political party has developed a tendency to lean on the capitalists for fighting elections. While the ruling parties collect huge election funds, the other parties have no such advantage. This not only breeds corruption but also denies the equality of opportunity.

(i) It places the ruling party at an advantageous position.

(ii) It makes the electoral battle a struggle between unequals.

(iii) It perverts the thinking of voters and they exercise their vote under the greed or influence of money.

(iv) It erodes the faith of honest voters in the democratic system.

(v) It tilts the balance of power in favour of the party having enormous amount of money at its disposal.

(vi) It distorts the representative character of our elective bodies.

Ans.— In the electoral battle the role of muscle power is assuming very dangerous trends. During election campaign sometimes candidates and their supporters are physically assaulted by their opponents. Such instances are not rare when voters, particularly of weaker sections are intimidated by the supporters of a candidate or professional criminals who are especially engaged for the purpose. Booth-capturing through the use of physical force is another evil which is rapidly increasing in our system. Muscle power has, to some extent, criminalized our elections. There are cases of large scale intimidation, coercion and undue influence. Bogus voting and impersonation takes place under the threat of muscle power. The role of muscle power does not allow the voters free exercise of their franchise. The result is that the elected persons do not represent the real will of the voters. The use of muscle power is, in fact, distorting our electoral process and the representative character of our democracy.

Ans.— To ensure the independence of election commission for fair election the Constitution of India has made some provisions. These provision are as given below :

(i) The Election Commission is a statutory body and it enjoys constitutional sanction. The existence of the commission does not depend upon the sweet will of the Union Government. It is the creation of the Constitution and the Union Government cannot abolish it as and when it so desires.

(ii) The Chief Election Commissioner cannot be removed from his office except in like manner and on the like grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court, and other Election Commissioners cannot be removed from office except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

(iii) The conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner cannot be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.

Ans.— Election Commission ensures fair and free election by following ways :

(i) Election Commission keeps a check on the role of money.

(ii) Election Commission decides where polling booths should be set up so that electorates are not required to travel a long distance.

(iii) Election Commission ensures that only those persons cast their vote, who are entitled to it.

(iv) Election Commission orders a fresh election in a constituency or a polling booth if malpractices has vitiated the electoral process.

(v) The Election Commission prepares a Code of Conduct for all political parties and independent candidates who are contesting elections.

Ans.— (i) Election Commission supervises, directs and controls the elections. Such elections include elections to Parliament, the legislature of every state and to the offices of President and Vice-President.

(ii) Election Commission prepares electoral rolls and delimitations of constituencies. It also considers the objections raised in this regard. Revision of electoral rolls takes place before every general elections.

(iii) Election Commission appoints returning officers and assistant returning officers to conduct the Selection.

(iv) Election Commission allots election symbols to political parties and to the independent candidates.

(v) The Election Commission is responsible to conduct free and fair election.

(vi) The Election Commission is authorised to recognise a political party.

(vii) The Election Commission fixes the time-table for the election.

(viii) The Election Commission prepares a code of conduct for all political parties and candidates and independent candidates who are contesting election.

(ix) All election results are announced by the Election Commissioner.

Ans.— The four main features of Indian Electoral system are :

1. Universal Adult Franchise : In India the system of universal adul franchise has been adopted for the election of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Every person who is a citizen of India and who is not less than eighteen years of age has the right to exercise his vote in election of members of the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies, mate

2. Direct Election : The Constitution provides for the system of direct election of the members of the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly of every state by the eligible voters.

3. Joint Electoral System : The Constitution of India provides for a system of joint electorates. Under the joint electorate system every voter in constituency is entitled to participate in electing representative from the constituency.

4. Single Member Constituency : The Constitution of India provides for a purpose the entire country is divided in 543 constituency. For this constituencies. Belonging voters elect their representatives. But only one representative represents his constituency.

Ans.— The following four conditions are essential for the successful functioning of electoral system in India :

1. Independence of Election Commission : For the successful functioning of electoral system in India, Election Commission should be completely independent and the government should not have any control on the Election Commission.

2. Check on the misuse of official machinery : There is an urgent need for checking the misuse of official machinery so that the ruling party should not get undue advantage in the election. For this purpose following suggestions are given (i) Election should be held under a care-taker government; (ii) Ban should be imposed on issuing discretionary grants; (iii) Advertisement in newspapers on government expenses should be banned; (iv) Election meetings should not be arranged with the help of official machinery etc.

3. Check on the growth of money power : In India money played a very important role in the election. To check the role of money power in election spread of black money should be checked. Proper ceiling on election expenses should be imposed and this ceiling should be strictly imposed.

4. Provision of Identity Card : To eliminate bogus voting identity cards should be given to voters. No one should be allowed to enter polling station without showing the identity cards.

Ans.— Given below are the four stages of the electoral process in India :

1. Electoral Notification : The electoral process is formally set into motion by a presidential announcement calling upon electors to elect their representatives to the Lok Sabha. At the same time, the Election Commission issues notification specifying the time-table for nominations, scrutiny, withdrawals and polling.

2. Filing of Nomination Paper : The Election Commission fixes last date for filing the nominations for election. The nomination papers of the candidates are filed with the returning officer appointed by the Election Commission.

3. Scrutiny of Nomination Papers : After the receipt of nominations, the nomination papers are scrutinised on a date already fixed by the Election Commission. The nomination papers found not in order are rejected by the returning officer and those found in order are accepted by him.

4. Withdrawal of Nominations : Once the scrutiny is over, the candidates are given a date for withdrawal. If any candidate decides not to contest elections, he can withdraw his nomination at this stage. After the withdrawals, the returning officer of the constituency publishes the list of the remaining contestants in alphabetical order of their names.

Ans.— For every constituency and for every election, to fill a seat or seats in the legislative council of the state, the Election Commission in consultation with the government of the state, nominates a Returning Officer.

A Returning Officer is the chief electoral officer in a constituency. In this capacity he performs a number of functions. Some of them are :

(i) He receives the nomination papers of the candidates for election.

(ii) He arranges the scrutiny of the nomination papers of the candidates so as to ensure that the papers are in order.

(iii) He rejects such nomination papers which do not fulfil the conditions prescribed by electoral laws.

(iv) He divides constituency into number of polling stations.

(v) Electoral rolls of his constituency are prepared under his superintendence. Objection pertaining to the electoral rolls of his constituency are heard and decided by him.

(vi) Polling takes place under his supervision and counting of votes is also done under his control and superintedence. He announces the result of election of his constituency and issues a certificate to the winning candidate.

Ans.— A Presiding Officer is incharge of a polling booth. He is appointed by the Returning Officer of the constituency. Some of his main functions are :

(i) Voting takes place under his control in his polling booth.

(ii) A number of polling officers and officials help him in conducting the polling in his polling booth.

(iii) He is required to sign all the ballot papers issued to the voters.

(iv) Ballot boxes are sealed by him and he affixes his seal and signature thereon.

(v) Every objection relating to the conduct of polling in his booth is heard and decided by him in accordance with the provisions of law.

(vi) He is responsible for the free and fair polling in his booth.

(vii) At the end of the polling he seals the used ballot boxes and deposits the same with the Returning Officer of his constituency.

Ans.— Following are the major drawbacks in Indian electoral system :

1. The Distortion of Seat-Vote Ratio : The first and foremost defect of the present electoral system is that there is no relationship between the votes secured by a party and its strength in the Assembly or the Parliament. The number of seats secured by a particular party is not proportionate to the votes poiied in their favour.

2. Money Power : Another important drawback of Indian electoral system is the growing influence of money in elections. The expenses incurred on elections are so huge that parties tend to give ticket to a millionaire. The high cost of electioneering has resulted in corrupt practices.

3. Independent Candidates : Independent candidates are also proving headache for Indian electoral system. These candidates join hands with any particular party according to opportunity.

4. Role of Caste : Right from the election of a candidate by a party to the election of a legislator by the voters the caste factor plays a key role.

5. Misuse of Public Media : It is being alleged that the Congress was using the government monopoly in radio and television for the party. This thing has gone a long way in helping the party in power by protecting its image. These public media have thus been abused.

6. Importance to Individual Candidates : The existing system of election gives more importance to the individual candidates than the political party. The result is that these important individuals dictate their terms for remaining in the party.

7. Defect in Single-member Constituency System : Election on the basis of single-member constituency system result in tension and bitterness among different sections of the population.

Ans.— Following remedies are suggested to improve the Indian Electoral System :

(i) The present electoral system of single-member constituencies should be replaced by system of proportional representation.

(ii) Strict action should be taken against those who indulged in booth-capturing and bogus voting.

(iii) There should be provision for recall.

(iv) The elections including the polling should be so conducted that the people are in a position to exercise their franchise freely, without intimidation, coercion, interference, undue inducement by political parties and others.

(v) The number of polling booths in a constituency should be increased.

(vi) The electoral rolls should be open for additions and deletions every three months after the general revision is completed.

(vii) Every effort should be made to check the role of money in elections.

(viii) Election petitions should be disposed of expeditiously.

(ix) The state must share election expense.

(x) Ministers and other officials must not misuse the official machinery.

(xi) Eligible voters should be given identity cards.

(xii) The Election Commission has suggested that election need not be countermanded on the death of any candidate.

(xiii) Every political party, registered with the commission, should publish its accounts annually.

Ans.— Delimitation of Constituencies is the first and important task of elections. Article 81 (1) and Article 170 (1) of the Constitution prescribe the membership strength of the Lok Sabha and those of the various Legislative Assemblies would be elected by direct election from territorial constitutencies. Under Article 327 of the Constitution, the Union Parliament is empowered to enact legislation from time to time to provide for the delimitation of constituencies for elections to Parliament and to the state legislatures. Parliament passed the Delimitation Act, 1952. The Act provides for the establishment of Delimitation Commission. The act for the purpose of delimitating constituencies in each state after every census. The determination and allocation of seats and making of territories is called Delimitation of Constituencies.

Ans.— Although all the political parties emphasize on women Empowerment and rights of women but when the question comes of women representation then all these parties prefer male candidates to female candidates. In recent years the topic of women representation has become a question of debate. The demand for rerservation of seats for women in the Parliament and state legislatures has become stronger.

To ensure the women representation the government, by 73rd and 74th amendments in constitutions has reserved 33% of seats for women in Panchayati Raj and Municipalities. But still there is no consensus of all political parties on the reservation of seats for women in Parliament and state legislatures. Therefore, the Election Commission asserted that rather politicising the issue of women reservation all political parties should try to create an atmosphere that would encourage women participation in political and their representation in Parliament and State Legislatures. All political parties should give adequate place to women in the political process. All political parties should set up a specified percentage of women candidates in all state and parliamentary elections. This will encourage the reprersentation of women in politics.

Ans.— Criminalisation of politics means direct entry of criminals into the political parties and legislature, including Parliament. It also means the use of criminal methods and tactics to influence political processes and procedures. The nature of Indian politics has changed after the independence. It has become criminalised. The CBI has reported that, “The nexus between the criminal gangs, police, bureaucracy and politicians has come out clearly in various parts of the country…” Today politics is no longer decent, crooks and criminals and rogues and rascals are increasingly taking over politics. The hooligans and hoodlums are taking control of public life.

In 12th Lok Sabha elections, 150 out of 4708 candidates had criminal records. In 2006 in U.P. Assembly 205 out of 403 MLA’s had criminal cases pending against them. These legislators belong to all political parties. Need of the hour is to check the increasing criminalisation of politics.