Extra 20 important long questions and answers from the chapter "Election and Representation" for Class 11 Political Science.
1. What is the significance of elections in a democracy?
Answer:
Elections are the foundation of democracy, allowing citizens to choose their representatives. Their significance includes:
Ensuring Representation
– People elect leaders to represent them in governance.
Accountability
– Elected representatives are accountable to voters.
Legitimacy of Government
– Elections provide legitimacy to the government.
Political Participation
– Every eligible citizen has the right to vote.
Peaceful Change of Power
– Elections allow a non-violent transition of power.
2. What is the role of the Election Commission of India (ECI)?
Answer:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent body responsible for conducting elections in India. Its role includes:
Conducting free and fair elections
– For Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, and the President.
Supervising election processes
– Monitoring polling, counting, and results.
Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
– Ensuring ethical practices by political parties.
Voter Awareness Programs
– Educating citizens about their voting rights.
Election Dispute Resolution
– Addressing complaints related to election malpractices.
3. What is the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system? How does it work in India?
Answer:
The First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system is a simple electoral method where the candidate with the highest number of votes wins.
Working of FPTP in India:
Used in
Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections
.
Each
constituency elects one representative
.
A candidate
does not need an absolute majority (50%+1 votes)
to win.
It ensures
quick election results
and a
stable government
.
Critics argue that it does not represent
minority votes effectively
.
4. Explain the Proportional Representation (PR) system. How is it different from FPTP?
Answer:
The Proportional Representation (PR) system allocates seats based on the proportion of votes a party receives. It is used in:
Rajya Sabha elections
in India.
Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections
(Single Transferable Vote method).
Differences between PR and FPTP:
|
Feature |
FPTP |
PR |
|---|---|---|
|
Voting system |
Highest votes win |
Seats allocated based on vote share |
|
Majority required? |
No |
Yes (proportion-based) |
|
Example |
Lok Sabha elections |
Rajya Sabha elections |
|
Minority representation |
Weak |
Strong |
5. Discuss the process of electing the President of India.
Answer:
The President of India is elected by the Electoral College using Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote (STV).
Electoral College Members:
MPs from
Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha
.
MLAs of
State Legislative Assemblies
.
Voting Process:
Each vote has a
value based on population
.
Voters rank candidates
in order of preference
.
If no candidate gets
50%+1
votes
, the lowest candidate is eliminated, and votes are transferred.
Winning Criteria:
The candidate securing a
majority of votes
is elected.
6. How are Rajya Sabha members elected?
Answer:
Rajya Sabha members are elected by MLAs of State Legislative Assemblies using the Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.
Each MLA has
one transferable vote
.
Candidates need a
quota of votes
to win.
Preference-based voting
ensures proportional representation.
The
President nominates 12 members
from literature, science, arts, and social service.
7. What is the Universal Adult Franchise? Why is it important in Indian democracy?
Answer:
Universal Adult Franchise means that every citizen above 18 years has the right to vote without discrimination.
Importance:
Ensures
equality in voting rights
.
Strengthens
democratic participation
.
Provides
political empowerment to marginalized groups
.
Promotes
government accountability
.
8. What is the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)? Why is it necessary?
Answer:
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections.
Key Provisions:
No misuse of
government resources
for campaigning.
No
hate speeches
or communal appeals.
No
bribing or intimidating voters
.
Media must follow
fair reporting practices
.
9. Explain the process of conducting General Elections in India.
Answer:
The process includes:
Announcement of elections
by the Election Commission.
Filing of nominations
by candidates.
Scrutiny and withdrawal of nominations
.
Election campaigning
by political parties.
Polling and voting process
using
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
.
Vote counting and result declaration
.
10. What are the major challenges to free and fair elections in India?
Answer:
Use of money and muscle power
.
Election fraud and booth capturing
.
Voter suppression and bogus voting
.
Misuse of government machinery
.
Low voter turnout
in urban areas.
11. What are the qualifications required to become a Lok Sabha MP?
Answer:
To become a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Lok Sabha, a candidate must fulfill the following qualifications as per the Representation of the People Act, 1951:
Citizen of India
.
At least 25 years old
.
Name must be in the electoral roll
of any parliamentary constituency.
Must not hold any
office of profit
under the government.
Must not be
insolvent (bankrupt)
or of
unsound mind
.
Must not have been convicted of any
serious crime
or involved in corruption.
12. Explain the process of a Bye-Election.
Answer:
A bye-election (by-election) is conducted when a seat in Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assembly, or Legislative Council becomes vacant due to:
Death of the sitting member
.
Resignation of the elected representative
.
Disqualification of a member
due to legal reasons.
Process:
The
Election Commission announces the schedule
for the bye-election.
Candidates file nominations
and campaign for votes.
Voting takes place
in the concerned constituency.
Counting of votes
and declaration of results.
13. How are election results challenged in India?
Answer:
Election results can be challenged under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 through an Election Petition filed in:
High Court
– Within
45 days
of result declaration.
Supreme Court
– If the High Court's verdict is appealed.
Grounds for Challenging Election Results:
Corrupt practices
(bribery, vote-buying, intimidation).
Violations of election laws
.
False election affidavits
submitted by candidates.
Electoral fraud or booth capturing
.
The court can declare the election void, order a re-election, or disqualify the candidate.
14. What is NOTA (None of the Above), and what is its significance?
Answer:
NOTA (None of the Above) was introduced in 2013 by the Supreme Court of India. It allows voters to reject all candidates contesting the election.
Significance of NOTA:
Encourages voter participation
by allowing dissatisfaction to be expressed.
Prevents forced voting
for an undesirable candidate.
Pushes political parties to field better candidates
.
Maintains secrecy in voting
.
However, NOTA votes do not impact election results—the candidate with the most votes still wins, even if NOTA receives a high percentage of votes.
15. Explain the need for Electoral Reforms in India.
Answer:
Electoral reforms are necessary to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. Some key areas requiring reform include:
Reducing money and muscle power
in elections.
Introduction of state funding
to reduce corporate influence.
Criminalization of politics
– banning candidates with criminal records.
Stronger Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
to regulate campaigning.
Compulsory voting
to increase participation.
Improving transparency in party funding
.
Several committees like the Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990) and Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998) have recommended reforms.
16. What is the role of political parties in elections?
Answer:
Political parties play a crucial role in mobilizing voters and forming governments. Their role includes:
Selecting and nominating candidates
.
Campaigning to spread their agenda
.
Mobilizing public opinion
on key issues.
Funding election campaigns
.
Training political workers
.
Forming governments and opposition
after elections.
Parties ensure political stability and continuity in governance.
17. What is Delimitation, and why is it done?
Answer:
Delimitation is the process of redrawing electoral constituencies to ensure fair representation. It is done based on population changes as per the latest Census.
Reasons for Delimitation:
Ensures equal representation
– avoids overpopulation in some constituencies.
Prevents political bias
in constituency division.
Adjusts seats for SC/ST representation
.
The Delimitation Commission, set up under the Delimitation Act, 2002, is responsible for this process.
18. Explain the role of media in elections.
Answer:
The media plays a crucial role in elections by:
Educating voters
about political issues and candidates.
Conducting election debates and discussions
.
Exposing corruption and unethical practices
.
Providing real-time election updates
.
Acting as a watchdog
by ensuring transparency.
However, the media should avoid fake news, bias, and paid news, which can mislead voters.
19. What is the impact of money power in elections?
Answer:
Money power has a negative impact on elections in the following ways:
Unfair advantage to wealthy candidates
.
Increase in corruption
– candidates seek returns on election investments.
Bribery and vote-buying
reduce free choice.
Influence of big businesses and lobbyists
on policies.
Unethical media advertisements
favouring
the highest bidder.
To counter this, the Election Commission has set limits on campaign expenditure.
20. How does the Election Commission control election malpractices?
Answer:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) ensures fair elections by:
Implementing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC)
.
Regulating political party funding
.
Monitoring electronic voting machines (EVMs)
and voter lists.
Deploying security forces
to prevent violence.
Taking action against fake voting and booth capturing
.
It has the power to disqualify candidates violating election rules.
