Civics Polity · General Awareness

Elections and Electoral Systems

2,969 Questions

Elections and electoral systems encompass voting methods, gerrymandering, and proportional representation. This hub covers party conventions, the Election Commission of India, and electoral processes. It is an important section for UPSC, state PSC, and civics polity preparation.

Gerrymandering and boundariesElectoral College systemProportional representationElection Commission of IndiaVoting systems and ballots

Elections and Electoral Systems Questions

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

Read the following statements and select the correct code:
a. Turn out denotes the percentage of eligible voters who cast their vote.
b. In India, the poor and the illiterate people vote very rarely.
c. People, including in India, usually bring pressure on political parties.

  1. a and b

  2. b and c

  3. a and c

  4. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

People’s participation in election is usually measured by voter turnout figures.  Over the last fifty years, the turnout in Europe and North America has declined. In India, the turnout has either remained stable or actually gone up. 

In India, the poor, illiterate and underprivileged people vote in larger proportion as compared to the rich and privileged sections. This is in contrast to western democracies. For example in the United States of America, poor people, African Americans and Hispanics vote much less than the rich and the white people.

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

Match the following and select the correct code:

A. Voters list is kept updated because I. There is a fair representation of all sections of society
B. Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that II. Everyone has equal opportunity to elect their representatives
C. Every one has one and only one vote so that Ill. All should have fair chance to compete in elections
D. Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicle because IV. Some people may have moved away from area or died 

  1. A-IV B-I C-II D-III

  2. A-IV B-I C-III D-II

  3. A-IV B-II C-II D-III

  4. A-II B-IV C-III D-I
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
 Voter list is kept updated because  Some people may have moved away from area or died
 Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that  There is a fair representation of all sections of society
 Every one has one and only one vote so that  Every one has equal opportunity to elect their
 Party in power is not allowed to use government vehichle because  All should have fair chance to compete in elections
Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

Which one of the following relating to the Indian elections is true?

  1. Every constituency in India has more than five candidates contesting elections

  2. Elections in India are, by and large, peaceful

  3. The voting age in India is 18 years in the case of the scheduled castes people only

  4. The losing parties in India accept the election results after the referendum is done
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In Democratic India, general elections take place every five years. All those who are eighteen years of age have a right to vote. A number of candidates seek the election. They move from door to door. They hold public meetings and explain the programs of their parties. If they get majority of votes, they win; but if they do not, they lose. An election, therefore, is like a battle. But this battle is fought in a peaceful way. It is a battle of ballots, not a battle of bullets.

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

One can be disqualified from voting, only on the grounds of _____.

  1. Age

  2. Sex

  3. Religion

  4. Education
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Universal adult franchise is the right to vote which is given to all adults irrespective of caste, creed, race etc. Education has never been a criteria to vote.

The right to vote is granted when a citizen completes 18 years of age. 

Therefore, one can be disqualified from voting, only on the grounds of age.

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

The reform recently introduced by the Election Commission of India to check the impersonation is __________.

  1. The introduction of electronic voting machine

  2. The introduction of electoral photo identity card

  3. Permission to campaign through media

  4. Conducting of poll opinion through media
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Election Commission is the Constitutional body duly assigned the task of superintendence, direction and control of elections consisting of Parliament, State Legislature, President and Vice President of India.

In order to check cases of impersonation, it introduced photo identity cards. It was an innovative idea of T.N. Seshan, the former CEC.

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

According to the elections in India, which one of the following is not prohibited?

  1. Bribing the voter

  2. Threatening the voter

  3. Appeal in the name of caste or religion

  4. Holding rallies in support of the candidates
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

According to the election guidelines given by election commission in India, Holding rallies in support of the candidates is not prohibited. But according to the same bribing the voter, threatening the voter and appeal in the name of caste or religion is strictly prohibited.

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

Which section of the Indian population turnout in elections is not good?

  1. Educated upper class

  2. Poor

  3. Rural

  4. Illiterate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
In India, the poor, illiterate and underprivileged people vote in larger proportion as compared to the rich and privileged sections. This is in contrast to western democracies. For example in the United States of America, poor people, African Americans and Hispanics vote much less than the rich and the white people.
Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

In our electoral process, EPIC means ___________________.

  1. Election photo identity card

  2. Electronic personal identity card

  3. Election process in camera

  4. Emergency personal information card
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In the last few years a new system of Election Photo Identity Card [EPIC] has been introduced. The government has tried to give this card to every person on the voters list. The voters are required to carry this card when they go out to vote, so that no one can vote for someone else. But the card is not yet compulsory for voting. 

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

Below are given different stages of the election process in India. What is the correct sequence of these events?
(i) Announcement of result
(ii) Announcement of election date
(iii) Campaigning begins
(iv) Model code of conduct comes into force

  1. (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)

  2. (ii), (iv), (iii), (i)

  3. (ii), (iv), (i), (iii)

  4. (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Following are the correct sequence of the election process in India -:

  • Announcement of election date
  • Model code of conduct comes into force
  • Campaigning begins
  • Announcement of result

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

Once an election is announced, the ministers are prohibited from taking any new policy decisions or projects which can influence the voters. This restriction is imposed under __________________.

  1. Election law

  2. Model code of conduct

  3. Moral code

  4. The constitutional law
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Announcement of new projects or programme or concessions or financial grants in any form or promises thereof or laying of foundation stones, etc., which have the effect of influencing the voters in favour of the party in power is prohibited. The coming into force of the Model Code of Conduct cannot be given as an excuse for not commissioning such schemes or allowing them to remain idle.

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

What is envisaged in the Representation of People's Act?

  1. The procedure for elections

  2. The lists of registered voters in each constituency

  3. The list of recognized political parties

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The representation of peoples' act 1952 describes the procedure for elections of the houses of the parliament and to the house or houses of the state legislature. Along with this, it describes the qualifications and disqualifications of the members of the houses and corrupt practices with the elections.

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

What is meant by the term 'constituency'?

  1. Place where the copy of constitution is kept

  2. A particular area from where voters elect a representative to the Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha.

  3. A body of voters

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The elections are held by dividing the whole country or a State into a number of representative areas called constituencies. Thus, a constituency is a fixed area with a body of voters or residents with strong voting rights. There are separate constituencies each for Assembly elections and Parliamentary elections. 

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

What are the details the candidates have to give in the legal declaration before contesting the elections?

  1. Serious criminal cases pending against them.

  2. Details of assets and liabilities of the candidate and his or her family.

  3. Educational qualification of the candidate.

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Every person who wishes to contest an election has to fill a nomination form and give some money as security deposit. Recently, a new system of declaration has been introduced on direction from the Supreme Court. Every candidate has to make a legal declaration, giving full details of:

  1. Serious criminal cases pending against the candidate
  2. Details of the assets and liabilities of the candidate and his or her family
  3. Educational qualifications of the candidate.

This information has to be made public. This provides an opportunity to the voters to make their decision on the basis of the information provided by the candidates. Educational qualifications are not necessary for the candidates.

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

Which of the options below is the demerit of the electoral competition?

  1. Creates a sense of factionalism

  2. Parties use dirty tricks to win elections

  3. Parties respect each other

  4. Both (a) and (b)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

An electoral competition also has many demerits. It creates a sense of disunity and factionalism in every locality. Different political parties and leaders often level allegations against one another. Parties and candidates often use dirty tricks to win elections. Some people say that this pressure to win electoral fights does not allow sensible long term policies to be formulated. Some good people who may wish to serve the country do not enter this arena because of this unhealthy competition.

Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

The election to the Rajya Sabha and the State Legislative Councils are held __________.

  1. Directly

  2. Indirectly

  3. Referendum

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Councils are upper houses of the Central and state legislature respectively. The members of both houses are elected indirectly by single transferable vote method. They are elected for a term of 6 yrs and one-third of members retire every two years.