Tag: the electoral process

Questions Related to the electoral process

The Constitution of India has made detailed provisions for the free and fair elections in which part of the Constitution?

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

  1. Part III

  2. Part XV

  3. Part IV

  4. Part IV (A)

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Part XV of the Constitution of India consists of Articles on Elections. Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India shall be vested in the election commission.

Under the supervision of the commission, free and fair elections have been held in India at regular intervals as per the principles enshrined in the Constitution.

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

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

  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

Show answer
Correct Option: A
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.

When was the Election Commission made a multi-member body?

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

  1. 1975

  2. 1983

  3. 1989

  4. 2009

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Since its inception in 1950 and till 15 October 1989, Election Commission functioned as a single member body consisting of the Chief Election Commissioner. On 16 October 1989, the President appointed two more election commissioners to cope with the increased work of election commissioner due to lowering of voting age from 21 to 18 years.

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

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

  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.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
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. 

According to the Code of Conduct for election campaigns, which is an incorrect option?

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

  1. A party or candidate can use any place of worship for election propaganda.

  2. No party or candidate can use government vehicles, aircrafts and officials for elections.

  3. Once elections are announced, ministers shall not lay foundation stones of any projects.

  4. Once elections are announced, ministers shall not take any big policy decisions or make any promises of providing public facilities.

Show answer
Correct Option: A

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

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

  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

Show answer
Correct Option: A
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.

State whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F).
There was a time when government did not allow women and the poor to participate in elections.

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

  1. True

  2. False

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Earlier women were not allowed to participate in elections. They were kept deprived of exercising this civil right. Women have always been considered inferior to man and they were confined to household chores. It was during world wars when women contributed equally to that of men. The potential of women was internationally respected and recognized. The argument that is given against women's suffrage is that it will hinder them in taking care of their family and children if they cast votes and come into power to hold government posts.

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

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

  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

Show answer
Correct Option: C
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.

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?

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

  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

Show answer
Correct Option: B
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.

Separate Electorate was provided to the Sikh community in ___________.

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

  1. 1909

  2. 1919

  3. 1935

  4. 1947

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The principle of communal representation which was accepted under the Morley-Minto Reforms was retained and was pushed further in the Government of India Act, 1919. After this, some seats were reserved for Muslims in different councils, while in the Punjab Council, some seats were reserved for Sikh community.