Chapter 2 - The Electoral Process
1. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the statement.
(1) The Election Commissioner is appointed by the …………
(a) President
(b) Prime Minister
(c) Speaker of Loksabha
(d) Vice President
Ans: Option (a) – President
(2) ………… was appointed as the first Chief Election Commissioner of independent India.
(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(b) T.N. Sheshan
(c) Sukumar Sen
(d) Neela Satyanarayan
Ans: Option (c) – Sukumar Sen
(3) Constituencies are created by ………. committee of the Election Commission.
(a) Selection
(b) Delimitation
(c) Voting
(d) Timetable
Ans: Option (b) – Delimitation
2. State whether following statements are true or false. Give reasons for your answer.
(1) The Elections Commission lays down the code of conduct during elections.
Ans: True.
Reason:
(i) To ensure free and fair elections in India, code of conduct is one of the measures to control malpractices during elections.
(ii) Code of conduct explains the rules that are to be followed by Government, political parties and voters before elections and during elections. Even the Government cannot violate these rules.
(2) Under special circumstances the Election Commission holds re-elections in a particular constituency for a second time.
Ans: True.
Reason:
(i) Sometimes, the representative of Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha or the local self government resigns from his/her constituency.
(ii) In some cases, the death of the representative occurs.
(iii) In such special situations, the Election Commission has to conduct an election for a second time. It is called By-elections.
(3) The state government decides as to when and in how many stages the elections would be held in a particular State.
Ans: False.
Reason:
(i) The Election Commission of India and the State Level State Election Commission conduct all important elections in our country.
(ii) The entire process of elections from declaring the date of elections to declaration of results is carried out under the direction and control of the Election Commission.
3. Explain the concept.
(1) Reorganising the constituencies
Ans:
(i) The total number of members in Lok Sabha is 543.
(ii) Every member represents one constituency. It means there are 543 constituencies of Lok Sabha.
(iii) Creating constituencies is the responsibility of the Delimitation Commission of the Election Commission.
(iv) Delimitation Commission does not fall under any pressure while restructuring the constituencies.
(2) Midterm Elections
Ans:
(i) If the elected government in power loses its majority before completing its term.
(ii) If no party gets a complete majority, then two or more parties come together and form a coalition government.
(iii) Such a coalition government collapses if any party withdraws the given support.
(iv) In such situations, the government is left with no option other than resigning.
(v) If there is no alternative available to form a government then the Parliament or Vidhan Sabha is dissolved before completing its term.
(vi) In such a scenario, the Election Commission has to conduct midterm elections.
4. Complete the following picture.
Ans:
5. Answer in brief.
(1) Explain the functions of the Election Commission.
Ans:
(i) Preparing the voters list:
To prepare the list of eligible voters to update the existing voters’ list, to include the name of new voters is the responsibility of the election commission.
(ii) Decide the timetable and programme of elections:
The Election Commission decides when to conduct elections and in how many stages to hold elections in every state.
(iii) Scrutiny of the applications of candidates:
(a) Selected candidates of political parties as well as independent candidates have to fill the applications which include the information about their own self.
(b) The Election Commission scrutinizes all the applications and allows the eligible candidates to contest the election.
(iv) Give recognition to political parties:
(a) In our country, we have a multiparty system.
(b) The Election Commission has the right to recognize or derecognize the political parties.
(c) Election Commission also allots election symbols to the political parties.
(v) To resolve any disputes relating to elections:
(a) The Election Commission has the responsibility to resolve any disputes that may arise regarding elections.
(b) The Election Commission can declare any candidate as disqualified or conduct re-election in a particular constituency.
(2) Write some additional information about post of the Election Commissioner.
Ans:
(i) The Indian Election commission is central to the process of election.
(ii) Article 324 of the Indian constitution has established this autonomous body.
(iii) It consists of one chief election commissioner and two other commissioners.
(iv) The President appoints the election commission.
(v) In order to preserve the independence of the election commissioner, he cannot be removed from his power easily or on account of political reasons.
(vi) The Election Commission does not have a separate staff. Government officers, teachers and other employees help the election commission to execute the process of election.
(3) Explain the meaning of Code of Conduct.
Ans:
(i) Code of Conduct explains the rules that are to be followed by the government, political parties and the voters before elections and during elections.
(ii) It helps to control malpractices during elections.
(iii) It ensures free and fair elections in India.