Civics Polity · General Awareness

Elections and Electoral Systems

2,926 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

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

The voters today are so far removed from contact with their elected representatives; the issues dealt with are so technical, that even well-educated middle-class citizens feel hopelessly excluded from the goal-setting process. Because of the generalized acceleration of life, so much happens so fast between elections that the politician grows increasingly less accountable to the 'folks back home'. What's more, these folks back home keep changing. In theory, the voter unhappy with the performance of his representative can vote against him the next time around. In practice, millions find even this impossible as mass mobility removes them from the district, sometimes disenfranchising them altogether.

What message does the passage convey?

  1. That there is far too much mobility in life

  2. That it is impossible to take the elected representatives to task

  3. That even a well-educated middle-class citizen is not part of goal-setting process

  4. That because of the acceleration of life, an individual voter loses interest in his elected representative

  5. That the present day politicians have become less and less accountable to their electors
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is one of the perennial problems a voter faces in today's fast-paced life.

Multiple choice

With respect to the election of the vice-president, which of the following statements is correct?

  1. The process of election of vice-president is same as the process of the election of the president.

  2. Vice-President is elected by an indirect method and nominated members do not take part in the election.

  3. Vice-President is elected by an indirect method and members of legislative assmeblies of states do not take part in the election.

  4. Nominated and elected members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha take part in the election. But, members of legislative assemblies do not take part in the election of the vice-president.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 

 Nominated and elected members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha take part in the election. But, members of legislative assemblies do not take part in the election of the vice-president. 

Multiple choice

How are elections held for Rajya Sabha?

  1. Elections are held for half the seats every year.

  2. Elections are held for all the seats every five years.

  3. Elections are held for one-third of the seats every two years.

  4. Elections are not held at all as the members are nominated.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Elections are held for one-third of the seats after every 2 years.

Multiple choice

Who can cast their votes by postal ballot?

I. Members of the armed forces II. Officials on election duty III. Foreign services personal when posted abroad

  1. I and III

  2. II and III

  3. only III

  4. I, II and III
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All three categories can vote by postal ballot: members of armed forces, officials on election duty, and foreign service personnel posted abroad. This is correct under Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act and related provisions. Postal ballots enable remote voting for these categories.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is correct about an electoral roll?

  1. It is a list of those who are contesting elections.

  2. It is a list of parties contesting elections.

  3. It is a list of polling officials.

  4. It is a list of those who are eligible to vote.

  5. It is a list of party workers.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. It is an official list of the people in a district who are entitled or eligible to vote in an election.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is incorrect?

  1. The Election Commission conducts the elections for parliament and assemblies.

  2. The Election Commission directs and controls preparation of electoral rolls.

  3. The Election Commission decides the names of the candidates.

  4. The Election Commission fixes the election dates.

  5. The Election Commission does the scrutiny of the nomination papers.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is an incorrect statement and hence, the correct answer option. The political parties decide the names of the candidates.

Multiple choice

Which of the following reflects the weakness of India's electoral system?

  1. The Lok Sabha has always had less than 10 percent women members.

  2. The Election Commission does not take advice from the government as to when to hold the elections.

  3. The Lok Sabha has many members who have no assets to speak of.

  4. The Election Commission uses electronic voting machines.

  5. The chief minister's reaction to losing the elections is 'I respect the people's verdict'.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as the women are not equally represented in the Parliament. However, now reservations are being made for women's participation.

Multiple choice

Mexico gained independence in 1930. Which of the following statements is incorrect about the electoral process in Mexico?

  1. Mexico holds elections after every six years to elect its President.

  2. Mexico has never been under a military or dictator’s rule.

  3. Till 2000, every election was won by the PRI.

  4. Opposition parties were not allowed to contest elections.

  5. Teachers of government schools used to force parents to vote for the PRI.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This statement is incorrect. Hence, it is the correct answer option.

Multiple choice

When does Lok Sabha or a Vidhan Sabha election candidate forfeit his security deposit?

  1. When he fails to win the election

  2. When he fails to secure even 1/4 of total votes polled

  3. When he fails to secure even 1/5 of total votes polled

  4. When he fails to secure even 1/6 of total votes polled
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A candidate in Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha elections forfeits their security deposit if they fail to secure at least 1/6 of the total valid votes polled. This rule discourages frivolous candidates and ensures seriousness in elections. The deposit amount and threshold vary for different categories of candidates.

Multiple choice

Can de-recognition of the Political Party by the Election Commission on the basis of its performance at the last Election be subjected to scrutiny?

  1. Judicial Review

  2. Judicial Order

  3. Judicial Scrutiny

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

De-recognition of a political party by the Election Commission is subject to judicial review. Courts can examine whether the EC acted arbitrarily, violated natural justice, or exceeded its jurisdiction. Judicial review ensures that EC's exercise of power conforms to constitutional principles and is not based on extraneous grounds.