ELECTION

Short Answer Questions (1,3,5,7)

Question 1

What is meant by the term election?

Answer

Election is a procedure whereby persons are chosen, by voting, to represent the voters for running the
government.

Question 2

Under which method of elections are the elections to Lok Sabha held? Name the system of election to the office
of the President of India.

Answer

The Lok Sabha elections are held by Direct election method. People of India directly elect their representatives
to the Lok Sabha.

The system of election to the office of the President of India is indirect Elections.

Question 3

What is meant by a (a) by-election (b) mid-term election held?

Answer

(a) By-elections — When a seat held by any member of the Legislative Assembly in the Centre or State falls
vacant on account of death or resignation of the member before completion of his/her term, to fill up this
vacancy the election which is held is called By-Election.

(b) Mid-term election — This type of election is held when a State Legislative Assembly or the Lok Sabha is
dissolved before the completion of its full term (5 years).

Question 4

Who allots the symbols to political parties? What role do election symbols play in an election?

Answer

The Election Commission allots symbols to political parties.

The election symbols give identification to the political parties on ballot paper/electronic voting machine. It
helps illiterate voters to identify the party they want to vote for.

Question 5

Name two important powers and functions of the Election Commission.

Answer

Two important powers and functions of the Election Commission are:

 1. Preparation of Electoral Rolls and Photo Identity Cards.
2. Registration and Recognition of Political Parties.

Question 6

What is known as the Voters List? Who prepares the voters list?

Answer

The Commission identifies eligible voters in each constituency and prepares the list of all eligible voters. This is
called voters list.

The Election Commission prepares the voters list.

Question 7

Write a short note on the advisory function of the Election Commission.

Answer

The election commission advises the President or the Governors of the State in respect of electoral matters,
disqualification of members, election disputes, petitions etc. The commission also advises judiciary in the matter
of post election disqualification of sitting members of parliament and state legislature. The cases of persons
found guilty of corrupt practices at elections which come before the supreme court and high courts are also
referred to the commission for its opinion.

Structured Questions (1)

Question 1

With reference to Democracy and Elections, answer the following questions:

(a) Distinguish between two types of elections.

(b) What type of elections are direct and what type are indirect in a Parliamentary Democracy?

(c) How are the elections of the President and Vice-President of India held? Give reasons to support your
answer.

Answer

(a) Below are the differences between the two types of elections:

Sl.
Direct Election Indirect Election
No.

People elect their representatives indirectly through their

1 People vote directly for their representatives.
representatives.

Law regulates the qualifications, age, etc. of voters and All elected representatives are treated at par. There are no
2
establishes eligibility requirements for State officials. qualifications.

3 Every adult person holds the right to vote. Every elected representative holds the right to vote.
 Sl.
Direct Election Indirect Election
No.

There is a very large body of voters called the

4 There is a very small body of voters.
Electorate.

The Members of State Legislative Councils, Members of

Members of Legislative Assemblies and Members of
5 Sabha, the President of India and the Vice President are e
Lok Sabha are elected directly.
indirectly.

(b) Election of Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha are direct and the election of State Legislative Councils,
Rajya Sabha, the President of India and the Vice President are indirect in a Parliamentary Democracy.

(c) The President of India is elected indirectly by the members of an Electoral college consisting of the elected
members of both the houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States
including National Capital Territory of Delhi and Union Territory of Pondicherry. The election takes place in
accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. Like the
President, the election of the Vice-President is also indirect. The Vice-President is elected by members of both
Houses of Parliament. In this election, the State Legislatures do not take part.

Question 2

With reference to types of elections, answer the following:

(a) What is known as General Elections?

(b) State two points of difference between a by-election and mid-term election.

(c) When were the last General Elections held in India? What do you understand by the term 'electorate'?

Answer

(a) The Elections held to elect the members of the Lok Sabha after expiry of the normal term of five years are
called the General Elections.

(b) Two points of difference between a by-election and mid-term election are:

Sl.
Mid-Term Election By-elections
No.

This type of election is held when a State Legislative Assembly This type of election is held when a seat falls vac
1 or Lok Sabha is dissolved before the completion of its full term death or resignation of the member before compl
(5 years) his/her term.

The member so elected remains the member for t

2 The new house has a full five year term.
unexpired term of the house.

(c) The last General Elections were held in 2019 in India.

An electorate can be defined as all the people who are eligible to vote. Alternatively, a very large body of voters
is called the electorate.

Question 3
With reference to terms of office and conditions of service of the Election Commission, answer the following
questions:

(a) Who constitute the Election Commission? Who is the head of the Election Commission? Who appoints him?

(b) What is the term of the Election Commissioners? What happens in case there is a difference in opinion
between the Election Commissioners?

(c) State any four functions of the Election Commission.

Answer

(a) The Election Commission consists of three members — a chief Election Commissioner and two other
Election Commissioners.

The chief election commissioner is the head of the Election commission. He is appointed by the President of
India

(b) The term of the Election Commissioners is six years. During this tenure if they attain the age of 65 years,
they shall vacate office on the day of attaining this age.

In case there is a difference in opinion between the Election Commissioners, decision is taken in favour of the
majority opinion.

(c) Following are the four functions of the Election Commission:

1. Preparation of electoral rolls and photo identity cards.

2. Registration and recognition of political parties.
3. Fixing dates and conducting elections.
4. Ensuring free and fair elections.