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 political science constitutional amendment constitutional amendment powers of lok sabha powers of lok sabha powers and functions of rajya sabha and lok sabha

Which process refers to a majority of more than 50% of the members present and voting?

  1. Effective Majority

  2. Absolute Majority

  3. Special Majority

  4. Simple Majority
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Simple majority or working majority refers to a majority of more than 50% of the members present and voting. Most of the normal motions and bills in the house such as No-confidence Motion, Motion of Confidence, Motion of Thanks, Censure Motion, Adjournment Motion, Money Bills, Ordinary Bills etc. are passed via the simple majority process.

Multiple choice pastoral nomand and their movements pastoralists in the modern world history

Which of the following are the characteristics of an alert voter?

  1. Voting for capable candidates.

  2. Not choosing their candidates based on relations, caste, and religion.

  3. Always keeping the welfare of nation in mind at the time of voting.

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

An alert voter considers the candidate's capability and the nation's welfare rather than being swayed by narrow interests like caste or religion.

Multiple choice political science election and democracy election commission the election commission and electoral reforms the electoral process

Which among the following is not the function of Returning officer ?

  1. Scrutinising the nomination papers of the contestants

  2. Preparation of ballot papers with the allotted symbols for the contestants

  3. Allotment of symbols for the contesting candidates

  4. Protecting the electoral booths against malpractices
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Returning Officer is responsible for conducting elections in the parliamentary or assembly constituency as per the Representation of People's Act 1951. Whereas, options A, B and D are the functions of Returning Officer. The Election Commission allots symbols to recognize political parties and the candidates for election. Hence, option C is correct answer.

Multiple choice political science election and democracy election commission the election commission and electoral reforms the electoral process

Special facilities are provided by the Election Commission to the parties which are _______________.

  1. National

  2. Recognized

  3. Regional

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

Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission. While the Commission treats all parties equally, it offers some special facilities to large and established parties. These parties are given a unique symbol. Only official candidates of that party can use that election symbol. Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are recognized by the Election Commission for this purpose.

Multiple choice political science election and democracy election commission the election commission and electoral reforms the electoral process

The following statement that support the fair electoral practice is _____________________.

  1. Minister flags off a new train in his constituency a week before the polling date

  2. Candidate promises that she will get a new train for her constituency if she is elected

  3. Supporters of a candidate distribute blankets in slums in return for a promise for vote

  4. Fair campaigning by candidates
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Political parties compete with each other to get into power by winning people's votes and confidence. In order to achieve this many candidates make false promises and give fake consolations to the people. However, fair campaigning in order to make oneself known to the people, to heed their attentions, to aware people of the manifesto and agenda of any particular party or candidate comes into the fair campaigning. 

Multiple choice political science election and democracy election commission the election commission and electoral reforms the electoral process

One of the main factors which has made our electoral process free and fair is ________________. 

  1. Model code of conduct

  2. Independent Election Commission

  3. Judiciary

  4. Political parties
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India. One of the most important features of the democratic polity is elections at regular intervals. Holding periodic free and fair elections are essentials of a democratic system and a part of the basic structure of the Constitution. The Election Commission is regarded as the guardian of elections in the country. In every election, it issues a Model code of Conduct for political parties and candidates to conduct elections in a free and fair manner.

Multiple choice political science election and democracy election commission the election commission and electoral reforms the electoral process

Arrange the following events relating to the election process in correct chronological order.
(A) Announcing the schedule of elections.
(B) Preparations of final list of contestants.
(C) Filling of nominations.
(D) Withdrawal of nominations
(E) Allotment of symbols to the contestants

  1. ACDEB

  2. ACDBE

  3. CDBEA

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

Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections in India. Stages for elections in India:

(1) At first electoral roll is updated. It means new voters will be added and those who have been died will be deleted.
(2) After that schedule of elections is declared.
(3) People who want to contest in elections fill their nomination form. Along with nomination of the form, the security deposit is deposited by each nominee.
(4) After the process of filling of forms, scrutiny of nomination forms will take place.
(5) If any form is rejected then records are maintained why this form is rejected.
(7) Then a list of valid nominees will be out.
(8) After this, if any nominee wants to withdraw from the election, they can fill withdrawal their form.
(9) After the withdrawal of nomination, election commission allottee symbols to the rest of the nominees.
(10) After that final list of contestants will be out for the people.
(11) after that polling will take place.
(12) countings of votes will be done
(13) The result will be out.

Multiple choice political science election and democracy election commission the election commission and electoral reforms the electoral process

The list that contains the names and certain other details of the voters is called __________.

  1. Ballot Paper

  2. Coalition List

  3. Identity List

  4. Electoral Roll
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The voters list is the list which contains the names and certain other details of the voters. It is also called the Electoral Roll. The Electoral Roll is prepared by the Election Commission much before the elections.Electoral Roll is revised every year. At the time of revision, the names of those who have attained the age of 18 are included and the names of the dead are deleted. The Electoral Roll helps the polling officials to identify the voters.

Multiple choice political science election and democracy election commission the election commission and electoral reforms the electoral process

Counting of votes has become easier and quicker with the introduction of ___________.

  1. Computers

  2. Ballot Papers

  3. Mobile Phones

  4. Electronic Voting Machines
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Counting of votes has become easier and quicker with the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines. Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are replacing the ballot papers nowadays. The voters record their votes through EVMs. It enables the voter to cast his or her vote by pressing a button on the Balloting Unit against the candidate and symbol of his choice. Thus, it results in huge savings by way of cost of paper, printing, transportation, storage and distribution.

Multiple choice political science election and democracy election commission the election commission and electoral reforms the electoral process

The Election Commission verifies claims and counterclaims and may freeze the symbol of a political party _______________.

  1. In case of a split in that party

  2. In case of a formation of a party

  3. In case of a leader's death

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

The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 empowers the EC to recognize political parties and allot symbols. In case of split where the party is either vertically divided or it is not possible to say with certainty which group has a majority, the EC may freeze the party’s symbol and allow the groups to register themselves with new names or add prefixes or suffixes to the party’s existing names.

Multiple choice political science election and democracy election commission the election commission and electoral reforms the electoral process

Identify one of the correct feature of the electoral system of Fiji. 

  1. Vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian Fijian

  2. Vote of indigenous Fiji has less value.

  3. Indian Fijian has no right to vote.

  4. Equal voting rights for the Migrants.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
The struggle for democracy was linked to the demand for the universal adult franchise. This principle has now come to be accepted almost all over the world. Yet there are many instances of denial of equal right to vote. In Fiji, the electoral system is such that the vote of an indigenous Fiji has more value than that of an Indian-Fijian. Following two military coups in 1987, the national constituencies were abolished under pressure from Fijian ethnic-nationalists, who opposed allowing non-indigenous electors to vote for indigenous Fijian representatives. Hence, Option A is correct. The rest of the clauses are not applicable to present-day voting system of Fiji, hence, incorrect. 
Multiple choice political science the electoral process election in indian democracy how the state government works working of state government

Which of these is not a good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic?

  1. India has the largest numbers of voters in the world.

  2. India's Election Commission is very powerful.

  3. In India, everyone above the age of 18 has a right to vote.

  4. In India, the losing parties accept the electoral verdict.

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

India is the largest democracy in the world and its constitution grants to its people a wide number of rights. In India, elections are held under the direct control of the Election Commission of India which is an autonomous Constitutional body and the right to vote is based on the principle of Universal Adult Franchise. The success of election is based upon the active participation of people in maximum numbers, however, voting cannot be compelled and this right is exercised by the citizens as per their discretion. Hence, saying that India has the largest number of voters in the world does not quantify the stronghold of Indian elections to be democratic.

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

Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false?

  1. Elections enable people to judge the performance of the government

  2. People select the representatives of their choice in an election

  3. Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of judiciary

  4. People can indicate which policies they prefer
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

An election is a decision making process by which people get to choose their representative. It is a test to evaluate the functioning of government and indicates the policies, representatives would undertake. But elections cannot evaluate the performance of judiciary.

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

Till 1990, a person was eligible to vote for Panchayat elections and not eligible to vote for Lok Sabha election. What would be the reason?

  1. The person may not have registered his name in the electorate

  2. The age limit for voting was different for local body and parliament elections

  3. The person might not have required educational qualification

  4. The person might be residing in a state other than his native state
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In Gram Panchayat elections, all the villagers who are 18 years or more in age can vote. The villagers who are 21 years or more can contest the elections on fulfilling other requirements.

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

For the Minority Representation which of the following method is adopted?

  1. Proportional Representation System

  2. Separate Electorate System

  3. Joint Electorate with Reservation of seats system

  4. All the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. India’s Upper House election (Rajya Sabha) is actually based on Proportional Representation System. In Separate Electorate System, the community to which the electorate belongs would choose their own leaders via an election in which the candidates of only their community would be allowed to contest and only their community members would vote. In Reservation of Seats, the candidates in the election can belong only to a particular community for which it is reserved.