NCERT Solutions - Class 9 Civics Chapter 3: Electoral Politics
Exercise
Q1. 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.
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 - c. Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary.
Q2. Which of these is not a good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic?
a. India has the largest number of voters in the world.
b. India’s Election Commission is very powerful.
c. In India, everyone above the age of 18 has a right to vote.
d. In India, the losing parties accept the electoral verdict.
a. India has the largest number of voters in the world.
b. India’s Election Commission is very powerful.
c. In India, everyone above the age of 18 has a right to vote.
d. In India, the losing parties accept the electoral verdict.
Answer -
a. India having the largest number of voters is a fact, but it does not necessarily make elections democratic. So, this is not a strong reason.
Correct answer: a
a. India having the largest number of voters is a fact, but it does not necessarily make elections democratic. So, this is not a strong reason.
Correct answer: a
Q3. Match the following:
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| a. It is necessary to keep the voters list up to date because | i. there is a fair representation of all sections of our society | b. Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that | ii. everyone has equal opportunity to elect their representative |
| c. Everyone has one and only one vote so that | iii. all candidates must have a fair chance of competing in elections |
| d. Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicles because | iv. some people may have moved away from the area where they voted last |
Answer -
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| a. It is necessary to keep the voters list up to date because | iv. some people may have moved away from the area where they voted last | b. Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that | i. there is a fair representation of all sections of our society |
| c. Everyone has one and only one vote so that | ii. everyone has equal opportunity to elect their representative |
| d. Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicles because | iii. all candidates must have a fair chance of competing in elections |
Q4. 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: releasing election manifestos; counting of votes; making of voters’ list; election campaign; declaration of election results; casting of votes; ordering of re-poll; announcing election schedule; filing nomination.
Answer -
The election-related activities in the correct time sequence are:
1. Making of voters’ list
2. Announcing election schedule
3. Releasing election manifestos
4. Filing nomination
5. Election campaign
6. Casting of votes
7. Ordering of re-poll (if needed)
8. Counting of votes
9. Declaration of election results
The election-related activities in the correct time sequence are:
1. Making of voters’ list
2. Announcing election schedule
3. Releasing election manifestos
4. Filing nomination
5. Election campaign
6. Casting of votes
7. Ordering of re-poll (if needed)
8. Counting of votes
9. Declaration of election results
Q5. Surekha is an officer in-charge of ensuring free and fair elections in an assembly constituency. What should she focus on for each of the following stages of election?
a. Election campaign
b. Polling day
c. Counting day
a. Election campaign
b. Polling day
c. Counting day
Answer -
a. Surekha should ensure that political parties follow the Model Code of Conduct. She must prevent hate speech, bribing of voters, and misuse of government resources.
b. On polling day, she should make sure that polling booths are safe and secure, voting is done peacefully, and voter identity is properly verified.
c. On counting day, she should ensure transparency, fair counting of votes, and no unfair interference in the process.
a. Surekha should ensure that political parties follow the Model Code of Conduct. She must prevent hate speech, bribing of voters, and misuse of government resources.
b. On polling day, she should make sure that polling booths are safe and secure, voting is done peacefully, and voter identity is properly verified.
c. On counting day, she should ensure transparency, fair counting of votes, and no unfair interference in the process.
Q6. The table below gives the proportion of different communities among the candidates who won elections to the US Congress. Compare these to the proportion of these communities in the population of the US. Based on this, would you suggest a system of reservations in the US Congress? If yes, why and for which communities? If no, why not?
Answer - There is a clear under-representation of Blacks and Hispanics in the US Congress compared to their population share. Therefore, I would suggest a system of reservation or affirmative action to give fair opportunities to underrepresented communities. This would promote equality and true democracy.
Q7. Can we draw the following conclusions from the chapter? Give two facts to support your position for each.
a. Election Commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair elections in the country.
b. There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.
c. It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.
d. Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.
a. Election Commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair elections in the country.
b. There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.
c. It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.
d. Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.
Answer -
a. False
1. The Election Commission can cancel elections if malpractice is found.
2. It can take action against political leaders, even the ruling party.
b. True
1. Voter turnout in India is quite high compared to many democracies.
2. The poor and disadvantaged also actively participate in elections.
c. False
1. Ruling parties have lost elections in many states and even at the national level.
2. The electoral system ensures fair competition.
d. True
1. There are still cases of use of money and muscle power.
2. Fake voting and booth capturing are problems that need stronger solutions.
a. False
1. The Election Commission can cancel elections if malpractice is found.
2. It can take action against political leaders, even the ruling party.
b. True
1. Voter turnout in India is quite high compared to many democracies.
2. The poor and disadvantaged also actively participate in elections.
c. False
1. Ruling parties have lost elections in many states and even at the national level.
2. The electoral system ensures fair competition.
d. True
1. There are still cases of use of money and muscle power.
2. Fake voting and booth capturing are problems that need stronger solutions.
Q8. Chinappa was convicted of torturing his wife for dowry. Satbir was held guilty of practicing untouchability. The court did not allow either of them to contest elections. Does this decision go against the principles of democratic elections?
Answer -
No, this decision does not go against democratic principles. In fact, it strengthens democracy. People who are found guilty of serious crimes, especially those violating human rights, should not be allowed to represent the public. It ensures that only responsible and law-abiding citizens hold public office.
No, this decision does not go against democratic principles. In fact, it strengthens democracy. People who are found guilty of serious crimes, especially those violating human rights, should not be allowed to represent the public. It ensures that only responsible and law-abiding citizens hold public office.
Q9. Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world. Is there anything that these countries can learn from India to improve their elections? What would you suggest in each case?
a. During an election in Nigeria, the officer in charge of counting votes deliberately increased the votes of one candidate and declared him elected. The court later found out that more than five lakh exercises votes cast for one candidate were counted in favour of another.
b. Just before elections in Fiji, a pamphlet was distributed warning voters that a vote for former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry will lead to bloodshed. This was a threat to voters of Indian origin.
c. In the US, each state has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting, and its own authority for conducting elections. Authorities in the state of Florida took many controversial decisions that favoured Mr. Bush in the presidential elections in 2000. But no one could change those decisions.
a. During an election in Nigeria, the officer in charge of counting votes deliberately increased the votes of one candidate and declared him elected. The court later found out that more than five lakh exercises votes cast for one candidate were counted in favour of another.
b. Just before elections in Fiji, a pamphlet was distributed warning voters that a vote for former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry will lead to bloodshed. This was a threat to voters of Indian origin.
c. In the US, each state has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting, and its own authority for conducting elections. Authorities in the state of Florida took many controversial decisions that favoured Mr. Bush in the presidential elections in 2000. But no one could change those decisions.
Answer -
a. Nigeria can adopt a strong and independent Election Commission like India. Proper monitoring and strict punishments can prevent vote tampering.
b. Fiji needs strict laws against hate campaigns and communal threats. India’s Model Code of Conduct is an example.
c. The US can create a single, independent election authority for the whole country like India’s Election Commission to avoid state-level bias.
a. Nigeria can adopt a strong and independent Election Commission like India. Proper monitoring and strict punishments can prevent vote tampering.
b. Fiji needs strict laws against hate campaigns and communal threats. India’s Model Code of Conduct is an example.
c. The US can create a single, independent election authority for the whole country like India’s Election Commission to avoid state-level bias.
Q10. Here are some reports of malpractices in Indian elections. Identify what the problem in each case is. What should be done to correct the situation?
a. Following the announcement of elections, the minister promised to provide financial aid to reopen the closed sugar mill.
b. Opposition parties alleged that their statements and campaign were not given due attention in Doordarshan and All India Radio.
c. An inquiry by the Election Commission showed that electoral rolls of a state contain the name of 20 lakh fake voters.
d. The hoodlums of a political party were moving with guns, physically preventing supporters of other political parties to meet the voters and attacking meetings of other parties.
a. Following the announcement of elections, the minister promised to provide financial aid to reopen the closed sugar mill.
b. Opposition parties alleged that their statements and campaign were not given due attention in Doordarshan and All India Radio.
c. An inquiry by the Election Commission showed that electoral rolls of a state contain the name of 20 lakh fake voters.
d. The hoodlums of a political party were moving with guns, physically preventing supporters of other political parties to meet the voters and attacking meetings of other parties.
Answer -
a. This is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The Election Commission should take strict action and stop such announcements.
b. Public media should provide equal time and opportunity to all parties. The Election Commission should monitor fairness in media.
c. Electoral rolls must be verified regularly. Fake names should be removed and responsible officials should be punished.
d. The police and Election Commission should ensure peaceful campaigning. Such criminals must be arrested and elections in such areas may be postponed or re-polled.
a. This is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The Election Commission should take strict action and stop such announcements.
b. Public media should provide equal time and opportunity to all parties. The Election Commission should monitor fairness in media.
c. Electoral rolls must be verified regularly. Fake names should be removed and responsible officials should be punished.
d. The police and Election Commission should ensure peaceful campaigning. Such criminals must be arrested and elections in such areas may be postponed or re-polled.
Q11. Ramesh was not in class when this chapter was being taught. He came the next day and repeated what he had heard from his father. Can you tell Ramesh what is wrong with these statements?
a. Women always vote the way men tell them to. So what is the point of giving them the right to vote?
b. Party politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus, not by competition.
c. Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections.
a. Women always vote the way men tell them to. So what is the point of giving them the right to vote?
b. Party politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus, not by competition.
c. Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections.
Answer -
a. This is not true. Women have the right to make independent choices. Their vote is equal and free.
b. Elections based on competition allow choice. Consensus may not always represent everyone’s voice.
c. Educational qualification is not the only measure of a good leader. Every citizen, regardless of degree, has the right to contest elections.
a. This is not true. Women have the right to make independent choices. Their vote is equal and free.
b. Elections based on competition allow choice. Consensus may not always represent everyone’s voice.
c. Educational qualification is not the only measure of a good leader. Every citizen, regardless of degree, has the right to contest elections.