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

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

Universal Adult Franchise means:

  1. Votting right to all edcated adult citizens

  2. Votting right to all adult citizens

  3. Votting right to all male adult citizens

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

Universal Adult Franchise grants voting rights to all adult citizens regardless of education, gender, religion, or economic status. India adopted this principle in 1950, removing restrictions like property ownership or literacy requirements that existed in many countries.

Multiple choice

The Dinesh Goswami Committee was concerned with

  1. de-nationalisation of banks

  2. electoral reforms

  3. steps to put down insurgency in the north-east states

  4. steps to put down insurgency in Tamil Nadu
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990) was concerned with electoral reforms.

Multiple choice

In the Presidential elections in India, every elected member of the Legislative Assembly of a state shall have as many votes as there are multiples of one thousand in the quotient obtained by dividing the population of the state by the total number of the elected members of the Assembly. As at present (1997), the expression “population” here means the population as ascertained by the

  1. 1991 Census

  2. 1981 Census

  3. 1971 Census

  4. 1961 Census
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The expression at present population in 1997 here means the previous census, i.e. 1981.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements about the recent amendments to the Election Law by the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 1996:

  1. Any conviction for the offence of insulting the Indian National flag or the Constitution of India shall entail disqualification for contesting elections to Parliament and State Legislatures for six year from the date of conviction.
  2. There is an increase in the security deposit which a candidate has to make to contest the election to the Lok Sabha.
  3. A candidate cannot now stand for election from more than one Parliament Constituency.
  4. No election will now be countermanded on the death of a contesting candidate.

Which of the above statements are correct?

  1. 2 and 3

  2. 1, 2 and 4

  3. 1 and 3

  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 3 is incorrect as a candidate shall not be allowed to contest from more than two constituencies.

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.

Multiple choice

Who has ample powers under Article 324(1) to make appropriate orders so as to the conduct of Elections, e.g., cancellation of poll and ordering to poll according to exigencies in particular areas, introduction of electronic voting machines, postponing of election, etc.?

  1. Regional Election Commissioner

  2. Election Committee of Government

  3. Electoral Officer

  4. Election Commission
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Article 324(1) vests in the Election Commission the superintendence, direction, and control of elections. This includes ample powers to make appropriate orders for conducting elections, such as canceling polls in specific areas, introducing EVMs, postponing elections due to emergencies, and other exigent measures. Regional Commissioners and other officers work under EC's direction.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a function of the Election Commission?

  1. Preparation of electoral rolls

  2. Allotment of election symbols

  3. Selection of candidates

  4. Recognition of political parties
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Election Commission prepares electoral rolls, allots symbols, recognizes political parties, and conducts elections. Selection of candidates is done by political parties themselves, not by the Commission.

Multiple choice

Who was the first Chief election commissioner of India?

  1. Sukumar Sen

  2. T. Swaminathan

  3. T.S. Krishna Murthy

  4. K.V.K. Sundaram
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sukumar Sen served as the first Chief Election Commissioner of India from 1950 to 1958, overseeing the first two general elections. T. Swaminathan, T.S. Krishna Murthy, and K.V.K. Sundaram were all subsequent CECs, not the first.

Multiple choice

What kind of body is Election Commission?

  1. Permanent and independent body

  2. Permanently dependent on executive

  3. Independent body

  4. Depends on parliament
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Election Commission is a permanent and independent body. The Election Commission was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January, 1950.

Multiple choice

Who is responsible for the registration of voters?

  1. Election Commission

  2. Government

  3. President

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

The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India at both the national and state levels. One of its primary functions includes the preparation and maintenance of voter rolls, ensuring eligible citizens can exercise their franchise. This responsibility is explicitly mentioned in the Constitution.

Multiple choice

What is adult suffrage?

  1. Criminalisation in politics

  2. Illiteracy of voters

  3. Government rule by adult

  4. Voting right of person above the age of 18
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Right- The old system of communal electorates has been abolished and a uniform adult suffrage system has been adopted. It means every man and women above the age of 18 has the right to vote without any discrimination.