Class 9 (Civics)
Chapter 3 (Electoral
Politics )
Notes
1. Why are Elections Necessary?
- Elections
essential for democratic societies
- Enable
selection of representatives
- Over
100 countries conduct regular elections
1.1 Alternative Methods for Selecting Representatives
- Scenario:
Collaborative decision-making
- Not
suitable, may lead to repercussions
- Scenario:
Selection based on expertise, experience, age
- Not
democratic, lacks assurance of adherence to citizen preferences
1.2 Key Points
- Voters
choose representatives for lawmaking
- Determine
government composition
- Align
with party principles for effective governance
2. Attributes of Democratic Elections
- Elections
vary across democratic and non-democratic nations
- Distinction
between democratic and non-democratic practices
- Characteristics:
- Universal
adult franchise
- Provision
of diverse choices
- Regular
conduct of elections
- Elected
representatives possess supreme authority
- Conduct
of free and fair elections
3. Benefits of Political Competition
- Inherent
in elections
- Incentivizes
political parties and leaders
- Benefits:
- Addressing
public concerns
- Aligning
with serving the populace
- Fostering
accountability
4. System of Elections in India
- Lok
Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections every five years
- General
elections: Dissolution of incumbent terms
- By-elections
for specific constituencies due to leadership changes
- Electoral
constituencies: Regions where elections occur
4.1 Reserved Constituencies
- Reserved
for marginalized communities
- Only
eligible candidates can contest
- Reservation
for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes
- Additional
reservation for Other Backward Classes, women candidates
5. Voters List and Nomination
- Prepared
before elections
- Contains
eligible voters' names
- Requirement
of Election Photo Identity Cards
- Eligible
voter can become candidate
- Nomination
process details
6. Election Campaign
- Platform
for open discourse
- Prohibited
activities:
- Bribing
voters
- Exploiting
caste, religious sentiments
- Spending
limits for campaigns
- Adherence
to Model Code of Conduct
7. Polling and Vote Counting
- Polling
day process
- Utilization
of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
- Vote
counting after polling concludes
- Declaration
of winner based on highest vote count
8. Democratic Characteristics of Indian
Elections
- Oversight
by independent Election Commission
- Popular
participation reflected in high voter turnout
- Acceptance
of election outcomes as people's verdict
8.1 Election Commission's Role
- Independent
body overseeing elections
- Authority
includes:
- Decision-making
- Implementation
of regulations
- Ensuring
fairness
8.2 Popular Participation
- High
voter turnout, particularly among marginalized communities
- Reflects
belief in influencing policy through elections
8.3 Acceptance of Election Outcomes
- Defeated
parties acknowledge results as people's verdict
- Demonstrates
electoral fairness and freedom
Important Question Answers
Question 1: What information
must candidates provide to contest elections?
Answer: Candidates
intending to contest elections must furnish a legal declaration, inclusive of
the following details:
- Disclosure of any serious pending
criminal cases against the candidate.
- Assets and liabilities information for
both the candidate and their family.
- Educational qualifications of the
candidate.
Question 2: What are the
advantages of electoral competition?
Answer:
Electoral competition offers two key advantages:
- Political leaders worldwide, akin to
other professionals, are driven by aspirations to advance their political
careers.
- They strive to attain and maintain
power, making efforts to garner public support.
Question 3: What are the
options available to voters in an election?
Answer: During elections, voters
have the following choices:
- Selection of representatives responsible
for legislation.
- Determination of the governing body and
major decision-makers.
- Endorsement of a political party whose
policies will shape governance and legislative processes.
Question 4: What are the
essential requirements of a democratic election?
Answer: The
fundamental conditions for a democratic election include:
- Universal suffrage ensuring every
individual has an equal vote.
- Availability of diverse choices with
parties and candidates participating freely.
- Regular intervals for elections,
ensuring periodic representation.
- Election outcomes reflecting the
people's preferences.
- Conducting elections freely and fairly,
allowing voters to make independent choices.
Question 5: Why is it
necessary to regulate election campaigns?
Answer: Regulating campaigns is
essential to ensure fair competition among political parties and candidates.
According to electoral laws:
- Prohibition of bribery or intimidation
of voters.
- Restriction on appealing to voters based
on caste or religion.
- Prevention of utilizing government
resources for campaigns.
- Imposition of spending limits during
elections.
Question 6: What does the
'Model Code of Conduct' entail for election campaigns?
Answer: The
Model Code of Conduct stipulates that:
- Places of worship cannot be used for
election propaganda.
- Government vehicles, aircraft, and
officials are prohibited for election purposes.
- Ministers are restricted from initiating
projects, making significant policy decisions, or promising public
facilities after election announcements.
Question 7: Why should
elections be held periodically?
Answer:
Regular elections incentivize political parties and leaders by:
- Encouraging the prioritization of public
concerns to gain popularity and enhance electoral prospects.
- Holding elected representatives
accountable for their performance, thereby influencing re-election
possibilities.
Question 8: What are the
drawbacks of electoral competition?
Answer: Electoral
competition entails several disadvantages including:
- Fostering disunity and factionalism
within communities.
- Provoking allegations among political
parties and leaders.
- Encouraging unethical tactics to secure
electoral victory.
Question 9: What is the
rationale behind reserving seats in legislatures?
Answer: Reserved seats in
legislatures aim to address concerns that certain marginalized sections might
struggle to compete effectively in open electoral contests due to limited
resources, education, and networks. These reservations ensure equitable
representation for disadvantaged groups.
Question 10: How can the
expense of elections in our country be characterized? Answer:
Elections in India incur substantial expenses, as evidenced by the significant
funds allocated. For instance, the 2014 Lok Sabha elections cost the government
around ₹3,500 crores. This financial burden, combined with expenditures by
parties and candidates, underscores the perception that elections impose a
heavy economic toll on the nation.
Question 11: What election
system does India adopt?
Answer:
India employs two election systems: general elections, held every five years,
and by-elections, conducted to fill vacancies in a single constituency
resulting from a member's death or resignation. Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha
(Assembly) elections occur regularly every five years, marking the end of the
term for all elected representatives.
Question 12: How is polling
conducted during elections?
Answer: Polling, the final stage of
elections, involves voters casting their votes on election day at designated
polling booths, typically located in local schools or government offices.
Election officials verify voters' identities, mark their fingers, and permit
them to vote, while candidate representatives ensure fair proceedings within
the polling booths.
Question 13: What are
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)?
Answer: Electronic Voting Machines
(EVMs) serve as voting devices, displaying candidate names and party symbols.
Voters simply press the button corresponding to their preferred candidate to
cast their vote, with independent candidates also having designated symbols
assigned by election authorities.
Question 14: What unfair
tactics are commonly employed by election candidates? Answer:
Election candidates frequently resort to unfair practices including:
- Manipulating the voters' list by
including false names and excluding genuine ones.
- Misusing governmental resources and
personnel by the ruling party.
- Excessive spending by affluent
candidates and major parties.
- Voter intimidation and rigging on
election day.
Question 15: How does the
independence of the Election Commission compare to that of the judiciary?
Answer: The
Election Commission enjoys a level of independence akin to the judiciary,
evidenced by:
- The Chief Election Commissioner's
appointment by the President, followed by autonomy from the government.
- Protection from removal by the ruling
party or government, ensuring functional autonomy even in instances of
disagreement.
Question 16: What
constitutes rigging in elections?
Answer:
Rigging in elections refers to fraudulent activities and malpractices
perpetrated by a party or candidate to bolster their vote count. Such practices
include:
- Utilizing others' votes.
- Casting multiple votes by a single
individual.
- Bribing polling officials to favor a
particular candidate.
Question 17: What are
electoral constituencies?
Answer: Electoral
constituencies designate distinct areas within a country for electoral
purposes. In India, these constituencies facilitate area-based representation,
with each constituency electing a single representative to serve in legislative
bodies.
Question 18: How many
constituencies exist in India?
Answer: India
comprises 543 constituencies for Lok Sabha elections, each represented by a
Member of Parliament. Additionally, each state features multiple Assembly
constituencies, with the number determined by population and size. Elected
representatives from Assembly constituencies are referred to as Members of
Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Question 19: What are
Reserved Constituencies?
Answer: Reserved
Constituencies are electoral constituencies specifically allocated for
disadvantaged segments of society. These constituencies aim to address the
barriers faced by marginalized groups, ensuring equitable representation in
legislative bodies amidst challenges related to resources, education, and
political influence.
Long Question Answers
Question 1: What are the
obstacles to ensuring free and fair elections in India?
Answer: While
elections in India are generally considered free and fair, certain challenges
persist, as observed in many established democracies. These challenges are of
concern to advocates of democracy and include the following:
- Instances where candidates secure
victories through the influence of wealth and unfair means.
- The prevalence of candidates with
criminal ties in certain regions, which can obstruct fair electoral
competition.
- Familial dominance within political
parties, resulting in the preferential distribution of tickets to
relatives.
- Limited electoral choices for citizens,
with major parties often sharing similar policies and practices.
- Significant disadvantages faced by
smaller parties and independent candidates compared to larger political
entities.
Question 2: What is the
significance of the Voter's List?
Answer: In
democratic elections, the Voter's List, officially known as the Electoral Roll,
plays a crucial role. It encompasses the following significance:
- Ensuring equal opportunity for all eligible
individuals to participate in the electoral process, aligning with the
democratic principle of universal suffrage.
- In India, every citizen aged 18 and
above, regardless of caste, religion, or gender, has the right to vote.
- The government is responsible for
maintaining an accurate Voter's List, periodically updating it to include
new eligible voters and remove those who have moved or passed away.
- The Voter's List undergoes a
comprehensive revision every five years to ensure its currency.
Additionally, the introduction of the Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
aims to further streamline the electoral process, although it is not yet
mandatory for voting.
Question 3: Describe the
Election Commission's role in ensuring free and fair elections.
Answer: The
Election Commission plays a pivotal role in facilitating free and fair
elections through various responsibilities:
- Making decisions on all aspects of
election conduct, from announcing elections to declaring results.
- Enforcing the Code of Conduct and
penalizing any violations by candidates or parties.
- Allocating election symbols to both
parties and independent candidates.
- During the election period, issuing
guidelines to prevent the misuse of governmental power for electoral
advantage and facilitating the transfer of government officials if
necessary.
- Government officers on election duty
operate under the Election Commission's authority rather than the
government's.
Question 4: What are the
evolving patterns of people's engagement in Indian elections?
Answer: The
changing dynamics of people's participation in Indian elections are
characterized by the following trends:
- Voter turnout, a key measure of
participation, has either remained stable or increased over the past few
decades.
- In contrast to Western democracies, a
higher proportion of poor, illiterate, and underprivileged individuals
participate in elections in India.
- Common citizens attribute significant
importance to elections, viewing them as a means to influence political parties
to adopt favorable policies.
- Interest in election-related activities
has grown, with a notable portion of voters engaging in campaign-related
activities during elections.
- A considerable percentage of the population identifies with political parties, with a significant number being party members.
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