NCERT Solutions Class 9 Social Science (Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Part I) Chapter 7 – Elections
Circle of Learning • New NCERT textbook (2026-27) • In-text questions, activities and end-of-chapter questions – complete answers
The Big Questions
Answer
Why are elections essential to a democratic system?
Regular, periodic elections let citizens choose those who make decisions on their behalf and hold them accountable. They give the government legitimacy, ensure representation and equality (one person, one vote), and allow peaceful change of government. Without fresh elections, no government can continue beyond its term.
How do electoral systems and rules shape political representation and fairness?
Answer
The electoral system decides how votes are converted into seats. Under First-Past-The-Post (FPTP), the candidate with the most votes wins even with less than 50%; the majority system needs over 50%, with a second round if necessary; and proportional representation gives parties seats in proportion to their votes. Rules such as delimitation of equal-population constituencies, the RPA 1950 and 1951, and the anti-defection law further ensure fair representation.
What role do institutions and laws play in ensuring free and fair elections?
Answer
The Election Commission of India (Articles 324–329) supervises, directs and controls elections – preparing electoral rolls, scheduling elections, registering parties and allotting symbols, and enforcing the Model Code of Conduct. The Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951 govern seats, rolls, nominations, campaigns, voting, corrupt practices and disputes, and the Delimitation Commission ensures equal representation.
What challenges do elections face in practice, and how can these challenges affect democracy?
Answer
Elections face misinformation, fake news, intimidation, money power, appeals based on caste or religion, and the huge scale of managing over 96.8 crore voters. These can mislead voters, distort their free choice and reduce public trust, weakening democracy. The ECI uses laws, the Model Code of Conduct, EVMs, VVPAT and awareness campaigns to counter them.
Why do Elections Matter? (In-text Questions)
Gurmat was elected class representative (CR) in Grade 8. Can we allow her to continue as CR in Grade 9 without a fresh election? Can the government continue beyond the prescribed term without seeking the people's mandate again? Can we exercise our choice if only one political party is contesting?
Answer
No, to all three. Representatives are elected for a fixed term and must seek a fresh mandate so that people can judge their performance and choose again. A government cannot continue beyond its term (five years for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas) without elections. And if only one party contests, voters have no real choice, so the election is not meaningful. Periodic elections with real choices keep representatives accountable.
Fig. 7.1 – Importance of Elections
Fill in the two empty boxes to indicate why elections are important for democratic functioning, and discuss how each one of them is ensured through elections.
Answer
The given boxes are Accountability, Representation, Equality and Legitimacy. The two empty boxes can be filled with Participation and Peaceful change of government (choice).
Value | How elections ensure it |
|---|---|
Accountability | Representatives must face voters again after five years, so they must answer for their work. |
Representation | Each constituency elects a member who voices its needs in the legislature. |
Equality | Every adult citizen has one vote of equal value, without discrimination. |
Legitimacy | A government chosen by the people has the moral and legal right to rule. |
Participation | Citizens take part in choosing the government by registering, campaigning and voting. |
Peaceful change of government | Voters can replace a non-performing government through the ballot, without violence. |
Let's Explore (Electoral Systems Around the World)
Each group will select six countries from different continents. Prepare and present a case study on the type of electoral system(s) operating in those countries, and discuss their latest election results.
Answer
Sample case study (students should verify the latest results from reliable news sources):
Country (continent) | Electoral system | Recent election (brief) |
|---|---|---|
India (Asia) | FPTP for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas; proportional representation (single transferable vote) for Rajya Sabha, President and Vice-President | 2024 Lok Sabha: BJP-led NDA won a majority and formed the government. |
United Kingdom (Europe) | FPTP for the House of Commons | July 2024: the Labour Party won a large majority. |
France (Europe) | Majority (two-round) system for President and National Assembly | 2024 snap legislative election produced a parliament with no single majority. |
South Africa (Africa) | Proportional representation with party lists | 2024: the ANC lost its majority and formed a Government of National Unity with other parties. |
United States (North America) | FPTP for Congress; President chosen through the Electoral College | November 2024 presidential election won by the Republican candidate. |
Australia (Oceania) | Preferential voting for the House; single transferable vote for the Senate | May 2025: the Labor Party was re-elected. |
Don't Miss Out (Delimitation Commission)
India has had four Delimitation Commissions—in 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002. Can you find out the reason for the long interval between 1973 and 2002?
Answer
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976) froze the number of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha seats allotted to each state, based on the 1971 Census, until after the 2001 Census. This was done so that states which successfully controlled their population growth would not lose seats to states with faster growth, and to encourage family planning. So no delimitation took place until the freeze period ended; the next commission was set up in 2002 to redraw constituency boundaries on the basis of the 2001 Census (while the number of seats per state remained frozen).
Think About It (Voter Registration)
Find out the various steps of the procedure for registration as a voter and the list of required documents. Discuss with anyone who has just turned 18 and has registered as a voter the ease or difficulty faced.
Answer
Steps
(i) Fill Form 6 (for new voters) online on the ECI's voters' service portal or the Voter Helpline App, or offline with the Booth Level Officer (BLO) or Electoral Registration Officer.
(ii) Upload or attach a photograph and supporting documents.
(iii) The BLO visits for field verification.
(iv) The Electoral Registration Officer approves the application and the name is added to the electoral roll.
(v) The Voter ID card (EPIC) is issued; status can be tracked online.
Young people aged 17 can apply in advance; names are added when they turn 18 on a qualifying date.
Documents: a recent passport-size photograph; proof of age (birth certificate, Class 10 certificate, Aadhaar, passport etc.); proof of address (Aadhaar, passport, bank or post office passbook, utility bill etc.).
Sample discussion: My cousin registered through the Voter Helpline App in about 15 minutes. It was easy, but she had to wait a few weeks for verification and for her card to arrive.
Let's Explore (ETPBS)
Find out who are classified as service voters and who can vote using ETPBS.
Answer
Service voters include: (i) members of the armed forces of the Union; (ii) members of the armed police forces of a state serving outside that state; (iii) persons employed under the Government of India in posts outside India (such as in embassies); and (iv) the spouses of such persons ordinarily residing with them.
Service voters registered as such can use the ETPBS to receive their postal ballot electronically, mark it and send it back by post from their place of posting outside their constituency. (Armed forces voters who opt to vote through a proxy cast their vote through that proxy instead.)
Let's Map
Choose any three states (including yours). Find the symbols of state parties belonging to those states and plot them on the given map of India. List down their major agenda, as mentioned in their manifesto in the latest Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha/Local Body Elections.
Answer
Sample answer (symbols as allotted by the ECI; students must check the agenda in the party's latest manifesto):
State | State party | Symbol | Points to note from manifesto |
|---|---|---|---|
Tamil Nadu | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK); All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) | Rising Sun; Two Leaves | Welfare schemes, state autonomy, education, women's support schemes |
Odisha | Biju Janata Dal (BJD) | Conch | Farmers' support, women's self-help groups, health and education |
West Bengal | All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) | Flowers and Grass | Welfare for women and students, rural development |
Students should paste or draw each symbol on its state on the map and add a key.
Identify and compare the policy preferences of two political parties in the last Lok Sabha Elections on education, national security, social welfare, environment, economy and health, using party manifestos, newspapers, etc., and present them in a poster.
Answer
Guidance: Download the two parties' 2024 manifestos from their official websites. For each policy area, note in one line the party's viewpoint, one related policy, law or promise, and the source (manifesto page number or newspaper and date). For example, under health, one party's manifesto promised to extend health insurance cover to all senior citizens above 70, while another promised a legal guarantee of MSP for farmers under economy. Use colour coding (one colour for each party), bullet points and party symbols. The poster should be neutral and factual – compare positions without judging them.
Let's Explore (State Parties and RUPPs)
Find out the number of State parties and Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP). You may visit the website of ECI.
Answer
According to recent ECI notifications, India has 6 recognised national parties, around 60 recognised state parties and more than 2,700 registered unrecognised political parties (the chapter notes over 2,800 registered parties in all). The numbers change as the ECI recognises, de-recognises or delists parties, so students should check the latest list on the ECI website.
Let's Explore (Coalitions in Lok Sabha Elections)
Find out the name and the composition (national and state parties) of the alliances that won the Lok Sabha elections of 1977, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019 and 2024.
Answer
Sample answer showing the main parties (alliances had many small partners, and their composition changed during the term; students should verify the complete list from ECI records):
Year | Alliance won | Main national party | Some state/regional partners |
|---|---|---|---|
1977 | Janata Party (with allies) | Janata Party (formed by the merger of Congress (O), Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Bharatiya Lok Dal and the Socialist Party) | Shiromani Akali Dal; seat adjustments with CPI(M) and others |
1999 | National Democratic Alliance (NDA) | BJP | Telugu Desam Party, JD(U), Shiv Sena, DMK, BJD, Trinamool Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and others |
2004 | United Progressive Alliance (UPA) | INC, NCP (with outside support of CPI(M) and CPI) | RJD, DMK, PMK, JMM, LJP, TRS and others |
2009 | UPA | INC, NCP | Trinamool Congress, DMK, National Conference, JMM, IUML and others |
2014 | NDA | BJP (won a majority on its own) | Shiv Sena, TDP, LJP, Shiromani Akali Dal, Apna Dal and others |
2019 | NDA | BJP (won a majority on its own) | Shiv Sena, JD(U), LJP, Shiromani Akali Dal, Apna Dal (S) and others |
2024 | NDA | BJP | TDP, JD(U), Shiv Sena, LJP (Ram Vilas), JD(S), RLD, Jana Sena, NCP and others |
Let's Analyse
Look at the road to free and fair elections (Fig. 7.13), which shows misinformation, fake news and intimidation. Fill in the empty potholes with more challenges and suggest how we can overcome them.
Answer
Challenge | How to overcome it |
|---|---|
Money power and vote buying (cash, gifts, liquor) | Expenditure limits and observers, flying squads, seizures, reporting through the cVIGIL app |
Muscle power and booth capturing | Security forces, webcasting and video recording of booths, strict police action |
Appeals based on caste, religion or language | Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct and RPA 1951 (a corrupt practice) |
Paid news and deepfakes | Media monitoring committees, fact-checking, media literacy among voters |
Low awareness and low turnout among some groups | Voter education (SVEEP) campaigns, accessible polling stations, home voting |
Candidates with criminal records | Mandatory disclosure of criminal cases, informed voting |
Don't Miss Out
Key facts from the boxes: psephology is the scientific study of elections (from Greek psēphos, pebble); Article 82 mandates the Delimitation Commission; 25 January is National Voters' Day; the ECI's International Election Visitors' Programme has MoUs with 28 Election Management Bodies and three international organisations; and the Anti-Defection Law was passed in 1985 through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act.
Questions and activities
What reforms have been introduced by the ECI to make voting more inclusive for the following groups?
Answer
a. People with Disabilities
b. Service Voters
c. Senior Citizens—above 85 years of age
d. Prisoners
e. Persons in preventive detention
a. People with Disabilities: EVMs with Braille, ramps, wheelchairs and volunteers at polling stations, the Saksham App for registration and finding polling stations, and voting from home for PwDs with a benchmark disability of 40% (extended across India in 2024).
b. Service Voters: The Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) lets them receive and cast postal ballots electronically from anywhere outside their constituency; armed forces voters can also choose a proxy.
c. Senior citizens above 85: Voting from home, extended across India for the first time in the 2024 General Elections.
d. Prisoners: Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, persons confined in prison (whether convicted or under trial) or in lawful police custody cannot vote, so there is no voting provision for them; they remain on the electoral roll and can vote after release.
e. Persons in preventive detention: They are allowed to vote, through postal ballot.
What are the various functions of the Election Commission of India? Which of these functions is most important for the conduct of free and fair elections? Explain.
Answer
Functions
(i) Superintendence, direction and control of elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Sabhas, Vidhan Parishads, and the offices of President and Vice-President.
(ii) Preparing and revising electoral rolls, including Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
(iii) Deciding the schedule and dates of elections, considering weather, agricultural cycles, exams and festivals.
(iv) Registering and recognising political parties, ensuring inner-party democracy and allotting symbols; acting as a quasi-judicial body in disputes.
(v) Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct and regulating campaigns.
(vi) Making voting inclusive and using technology (EVMs, VVPAT, apps like cVIGIL and Voter Helpline).
(vii) Counting votes and declaring results.
Most important (sample view): Preparing an accurate electoral roll, because only those on the roll can vote; if eligible citizens are left out or ineligible names are included, the election cannot be free or fair, however well it is conducted. (Students may also argue for enforcing the Model Code of Conduct, which ensures a level playing field.)
Elections are the soul of a democracy. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Answer
Yes. Elections give every citizen an equal voice in forming the government, make representatives accountable, give the government legitimacy and allow peaceful change of power. Without periodic elections with real choices, democracy cannot exist – a government could continue indefinitely without the people's consent. However, elections alone are not enough: they must be free and fair, and democracy also needs rights, the rule of law, a free press and active citizens between elections.
Explain at least three differences between the national and state/regional political parties.
Answer
Basis | National parties | State/regional parties |
|---|---|---|
Area of influence | Presence in several states across the country | Influence mainly in one state or region |
Issues | Focus on national issues such as defence, foreign policy and the national economy | Focus on regional interests, language, culture and state development |
ECI recognition criteria | e.g., 6% of valid votes in four or more states plus four Lok Sabha seats; or 2% of Lok Sabha seats from at least three states; or recognition as a state party in at least four states | e.g., 6% of valid votes in the state's assembly election plus two assembly seats; or 3% of assembly seats or three seats, whichever is more; or 8% of valid votes in the state |
Symbol | Reserved symbol across the country | Reserved symbol within that state |
Why should you vote? Arrange the following in the descending order of your choice and discuss the reasons:
Answer
a. Opportunity to choose my representative
b. Makes me a responsible person
c. Opportunity to change the non-performing representative
d. Strengthens democracy
Sample order: (d) Strengthens democracy → (a) Opportunity to choose my representative → (c) Opportunity to change the non-performing representative → (b) Makes me a responsible person.
Reasons: Strengthening democracy comes first because every vote adds to the legitimacy of the whole system and protects everyone's rights. Choosing my representative is the direct way my voice reaches the legislature. The power to replace a non-performing representative keeps leaders accountable. Voting also makes me a responsible citizen, but that is a personal benefit that follows from the others. (Any order is acceptable if reasons are given.)
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative of the ECI? Explain the objectives and the necessity of conducting SIR.
Answer
SIR is an exercise in which the ECI updates, verifies and corrects the electoral rolls, with officials visiting households to collect data on eligible electors.
Objectives: (i) to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out, especially young voters who have just turned 18; (ii) to ensure that no ineligible person is included; (iii) to delete names on grounds of death, change of residence, duplicate enrolment or being permanently untraceable; (iv) to give time for claims and objections and settle them before publishing the final roll.
Necessity: Only people whose names are on the roll can vote, so an accurate roll is the foundation of free and fair elections. Populations move and change constantly, so regular revision prevents bogus voting and wrongful exclusion, and builds trust in the electoral process.
Match the political party name with its symbol.
Answer
Political party | Symbol |
|---|---|
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) | Broom |
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | Lotus |
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) | Elephant |
Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] | Hammer, sickle and star |
Indian National Congress (INC) | Hand |
National People's Party (NPP) | Book |
Answer
Read the case study of Ishani's first vote and answer
a. What initiatives were taken by the ECI to enable the voters to cast their vote?
Answer
b. If Ishani was allowed to vote without her Voter ID card or Aadhaar card, which other document might she be carrying?
Answer
c. Cite the examples of violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
d. Give a suitable title to the passage.
e. Find out how the police and army personnel cast their votes.
a. Online voter registration through the ECI portal; police security at the polling station; a wheelchair and volunteers for her disabled brother; acceptance of alternative identity documents; VVPAT so she could verify her vote; and home voting for her 89-year-old grandmother (above 85).
b. Any alternative photo identity document approved by the ECI, such as a passport, driving licence, PAN card, MGNREGA job card, bank or post office passbook with photograph, service identity card issued by the government or a PSU, pension document with photograph, health insurance smart card or Unique Disability ID card.
c. Campaigners distributing pamphlets and raising slogans the day before polling, during the 48-hour silence period when campaigning must stop; and wall writing and posters pasted everywhere, defacing public and private property without permission.
d. "Ishani's First Vote: No Voter Left Behind" (or "A Festival of Democracy").
e. Armed forces personnel are service voters and vote through postal ballot, including ETPBS, or through a proxy. Police and other personnel on election duty vote by postal ballot or, if posted in their own constituency, through an Election Duty Certificate at a polling station; facilitation centres are set up for them before polling day.
Answer
Based on the comparative chart of Countries A, B and C, answer
a. What is the difference between having a voting right in a country with a multi-party system and another with a single-party system?
Answer
b. In which of the above countries would you like to stay and why?
Answer
a. In a multi-party system (Country A), voters have a real choice between parties with different policies and can replace a non-performing government, so the vote is meaningful and the government is accountable. In a single-party system (Country B), people vote, but there is no real alternative; the same party always rules, so the vote only approves what is offered and cannot bring change.
b. Sample answer: I would like to stay in Country A. Although its standard of living is average, it has a written constitution, periodic elections, voting rights and a choice of parties, so citizens can influence decisions, protect their rights and work to improve their living standards. A higher standard of living in Country B or C does not make up for having no political freedom or say in governance.
What are the challenges to conducting free and fair elections?
(i) The huge scale – over 96.8 crore voters (2024), more than a million polling stations in remote terrain and hundreds of parties.
(ii) Misinformation and fake news, especially on social media.
(iii) Intimidation of voters and muscle power.
(iv) Money power, gifts and inducements (a corrupt practice under RPA 1951).
(v) Appeals on the basis of religion, caste, race, community or language.
(vi) Inaccurate electoral rolls – missing or bogus names.
Answer
(vii) Accessibility problems for PwDs, the elderly and remote communities.
The ECI tackles them through RPA 1950 and 1951, the Model Code of Conduct, EVMs, VVPAT, SIR, voter awareness campaigns and apps like cVIGIL.
On the Stage: Elections are to be held in your school for Head Girl, Head Boy and Sports Captain. Assume the roles of Election Commissioner, Returning Officer, Polling Agent, Candidate, Campaigner, Polling Officer, Police Personnel and Journalist, and perform their roles while ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.
Answer
Role | What to do |
|---|---|
Election Commissioner | Announce the schedule and code of conduct; supervise the whole process impartially. |
Returning Officer | Accept and scrutinise nominations, publish the final list of candidates, oversee counting and declare results. |
Candidate | File nomination, present an agenda, campaign within the rules and accept the result. |
Campaigner | Spread the candidate's message politely; no bribes, threats or campaigning after the deadline. |
Polling Officer | Check names on the voter list, verify identity, mark the finger with ink and issue the ballot. |
Polling Agent | Watch the polling and counting on behalf of a candidate to prevent malpractice. |
Police Personnel | Maintain order, keep crowds away from the booth and prevent intimidation. |
Journalist | Report fairly on campaigns, polling and results, and interview voters. |
After the activity, discuss what made the election free, fair and transparent.
Try and make videos or audios on topics like: My Vote My Nation; No Voter to be Left Behind; How to Eliminate the Ill of Money Power, etc.
Answer
Sample script outline – "How to Eliminate the Ill of Money Power" (1–2 minutes):
(i) Opening scene: a person offered cash for a vote.
(ii) Message: buying or selling votes is a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
(iii) Show the voter refusing and reporting it on the cVIGIL app; flying squads arrive.
(iv) Message: "Your vote is not for sale – it decides your future for five years."
(v) Close with the Voters' Pledge: to vote "fearlessly and without being influenced by … any inducement".
Select one national or state political party and prepare a comparative chart of the last two State Legislative Assembly elections with: a. some manifesto promises b. percentage of votes polled c. number of seats won d. number of women who contested e. number of women candidates elected. Cite all sources.
Answer
Guidance (template):
Details | Election 1 (year) | Election 2 (year) |
|---|---|---|
a. Manifesto promises | 3–4 key promises | 3–4 key promises |
b. Vote percentage | __ % | __ % |
c. Seats won | __ out of __ | __ out of __ |
d. Women who contested | __ | __ |
e. Women elected | __ | __ |
Sources | ECI statistical reports (results.eci.gov.in), party website manifesto, newspaper reports with dates | |
Then write 3–4 lines on what changed between the two elections.
Do you think 'One Nation, One Election' can improve the efficiency of the electoral process? Divide the class into two groups—one to examine its potential advantages and the other to analyse its limitations.
Answer
'One Nation, One Election' means holding Lok Sabha and all State Assembly elections at the same time (with local body elections soon after).
Potential advantages: (i) lower cost of conducting elections; (ii) the Model Code of Conduct would apply less often, so development work is not repeatedly stalled; (iii) less frequent deployment of security forces, teachers and officials; (iv) governments can focus on governance instead of constant campaigning; (v) possibly higher turnout and less voter fatigue.
Limitations: (i) national issues may overshadow state and local issues, affecting federalism; (ii) it needs constitutional amendments to change the terms of assemblies; (iii) if a government falls midway, it is unclear how to keep elections in sync; (iv) a huge number of EVMs, VVPATs and staff would be needed at one time; (v) voters would hold governments accountable less frequently.
Conclusion (sample): It may improve efficiency, but only if federal principles and accountability are protected.
Extra Important Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected through
(a) Direct election by FPTP (b) Indirect election by proportional representation (c) Nomination only (d) Two-round majority system
Answer: (b) Indirect election by proportional representation
2. The Election Commission of India was established on
(a) 26 January 1950 (b) 25 January 1950 (c) 15 August 1947 (d) 26 November 1949
Answer: (b) 25 January 1950
Which Act deals mainly with delimitation of constituencies and preparation of electoral rolls?
Answer
(a) RPA, 1951 (b) RPA, 1950 (c) Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 (d) RTI Act, 2005
Answer: (b) RPA, 1950
The app through which voters can report Model Code of Conduct violations is:
Answer
(a) Suvidha (b) Saksham (c) cVIGIL (d) Sugam
Answer: (c) cVIGIL
5. The Anti-Defection Law was passed through the
(a) 42nd Amendment (b) 44th Amendment (c) 52nd Amendment (d) 73rd Amendment
Answer: (c) 52nd Amendment (1985)
Which of these states has a bicameral legislature?
Answer
(a) Kerala (b) Karnataka (c) Gujarat (d) Punjab
Answer: (b) Karnataka
Short Answer Questions
What is the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system? Explain with the chapter's example.
Answer
In FPTP, each voter votes for one candidate in their constituency, and the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they get less than 50% of the votes polled. In the imaginary country Haritbhumi, Party A got 40%, Party B 35% and Party C 25%, so Party A won and formed the government. India uses FPTP for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas.
Answer
What is delimitation and why is it necessary?
Delimitation is the process of determining the number of seats and fixing the territorial boundaries of constituencies for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. It is necessary because population shifts over time; without it one MP might represent five lakh people and another twenty-five lakh, defeating equal representation.
Mention any three corrupt practices listed in the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Answer
(i) Any gift, offer or promise by a candidate (or with their consent) to make a person contest, withdraw, vote or not vote. (ii) Appealing to people to vote or not vote on the basis of religion, caste, race, community or language. (iii) Taking assistance from government personnel such as gazetted officers, judges, magistrates, armed forces, police or excise officers.
Answer
What is defection? What does the Anti-Defection Law provide?
Defection means abandoning or switching from the party under whose banner a member was elected, or acting against its decisions, especially in voting in the legislature. Under the Anti-Defection Law (52nd Amendment, 1985), a member of Parliament or a State Assembly who voluntarily gives up party membership or votes against the party whip can be disqualified; the Speaker or Chairman decides such cases.
Long Answer Questions
Compare the three electoral systems described in the chapter using the examples of Haritbhumi, Ratnadweep and Swarnalok.
Answer
Feature | FPTP (Haritbhumi) | Majority system (Ratnadweep) | Proportional representation (Swarnalok) |
|---|---|---|---|
Voting | Vote for one candidate in a constituency | Vote for one candidate | Vote for a party, not a person |
To win | Most votes, even below 50% | More than 50%; otherwise top two compete in a second round | Seats in proportion to votes |
Example result | A 40%, B 35%, C 25% – Party A forms government | X 45%, Y 40%, Z 15% – no one crosses 50%; Y wins Round 2 with 55% | M 40%, N 35%, O 15%, P 10% of 100 seats – M 40, N 35, O 15, P 10; power shared |
Merit | Simple; clear winner; stable government | Winner has majority support | Fair representation of all parties |
Limitation | Winner may lack majority support | Needs a second round | May lead to unstable coalitions |
Describe the role of political parties in a democracy and explain how the ECI recognises them.
Answer
Role: (i) Organise public opinion and campaign on specific issues. (ii) Prepare manifestos and contest elections, offering voters meaningful choices. (iii) Help voters make informed decisions through rallies, debates and media. (iv) The winning party forms the government and formulates and implements policies. (v) The opposition ensures accountability through debates and committees. (vi) They work at the grassroots and reflect India's diversity in a multi-party system.
Recognition: Only parties registered with the ECI can contest. The ECI classifies them as national parties, state parties or registered unrecognised parties based on criteria such as vote share and seats won – for example, a national party needs 6% of valid votes in four or more states plus four Lok Sabha seats, or 2% of Lok Sabha seats from at least three states, or state-party status in four states. National and state parties are allotted reserved symbols.