Civics

Electoral Politics

Question:

Why do democracies need to have elections?

Answer:

Elections are considered essential in our times for any representative democracy.
  1. It is only through elections people can judge the functioning of ruling party.
  2. In a democracy, representatives of the people rule. Those representative can only be chosen by an election process.
  3. To ensure people do not want a person to retain in power is by voting against him.
  4. It honours Universal Adult Franchise i.e. every citizen has right to vote. One vote and equal vote.
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Electoral Politics

Q 1.

What are the minimum conditions required for a democratic election?

Q 2.

Match the following
(i) It is necessary to keep the voters list up to date because (a) there is a fair representation of all sections of our society
(ii) Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that(b) everyone has equal opportunity to elect their representative
(iii) Everyone has one and only one vote so that(c) all candidates must have a fair chance of competing in elections
(iv) Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicles because(d) some people may have moved away from the area where they voted last

Q 3.

Why do democracies need to have elections?

Q 4.

What is a voter list? Why it is important?

Q 5.

What makes an election democratic?

Q 6.

What is an election?

Q 7.

What are the conditions which make an election democratic?

Q 8.

List all the different election related activities mentioned in the chapter and arrange them in a time sequence, beginning with the first activity and ending with the last. Some of these activities are given below:

  1. releasing election manifestos;
  2. counting of votes;
  3. making of voters' list;
  4. election campaign;
  5. declaration of election results;
  6. casting of votes;
  7. ordering of re-poll;
  8. announcing election schedule;
  9. filing nomination.

Q 9.

Surekha is an officer in-charge of ensuring free and fair elections in an assembly constituency in a state. Describe what should she focus on for each of the following stages of election:
a) Election campaign
b) Polling day
c) Counting day

Q 10.

Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false?
(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.