Civics

Electoral Politics

Question:

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

Answer:

a. Election Campaign:
  1. Political parties canvass in peaceful manner. Law and order is not being violated.
  2. No party is allowed to canvass based on religion or caste or language.
  3. No party is allowed to misuse government machinery in her campaign.
  4. No party member is bribing (offering money to vote in someone's favour or against) or any other corrupt practices.
  5. No candidate is free to spend as much s/he likes. Spending should be within limits as set by the Election commission.
  6. Any kind of threatening to voters is not permitted.
b Polling Day:
  1. Law and order is maintained to conduct polling peacefully.
  2. Canvassing has stopped 48 hours before the polling day. No canvassing allowed within the prescribed premises during polling day.
  3. Sufficient forces are employed to check anti-social elements to rig or capture poll booth or create any disturbance.
  4. Voter must be identified before he or she casts his/her vote. Impersonating any voter is not allowed.
  5. No party is allowed to lure voters (e.g. offering money, food and refreshments, lifts to reach polling station).
c Counting Day
  1. Proper police arrangement at counting centres to check any disturbance. It should be ensured nobody is allowed to tamper voting machines or ballot boxes.
  2. Only authorised counting agents are allowed to enter.
  3. Counting is done in the presence of counting agents of different candidates.
  4. Results are declared on time once counting is done.
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Questions and Answers

Electoral Politics

Q 1.

What are the minimum conditions required for a democratic election?
Answer

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
Answer

Q 3.

Why do democracies need to have elections?
Answer

Q 4.

What is an election?
Answer

Q 5.

What makes an election democratic?
Answer

Q 6.

What are the conditions which make an election democratic?
Answer

Q 7.

What is a voter list? Why it is important?
Answer

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.
Answer

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
Answer

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.
Answer