Delhi Public School Ruby Park

Class IX Political Science: Electoral Politics

Study Material
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➢ Why do we need elections?

❖ To choose our representatives. In most democracies people rule through

representatives because it is not every one has time or knowledge to take decisions.

❖ To choose the Government.

❖ To choose the political party who will form the Government.
❖ To be able to change the Government if people so wish.
➢ What makes an election democratic? OR How do we distinguish democratic elections
with non-democratic election? OR Conditions for democratic elections:
❖ There should be universal adult franchise in the country based on ‘one person one
vote and one value.’
❖ There should be different political parties to choose from.
❖ Elections must be held regularly after a few years.
❖ Free and fair election where people can come and vote safely and happily.
❖ Candidates who are liked by all should get elected
➢ Is it good to have political competition?

Political competition has many problems:

❖ It divides people into political groups and creates disunity.

❖ There are ‘party politics’ where leaders accuse each other.
❖ Parties use dirty tricks to win elections.
❖ Many good people who want to serve the country stay away from politics because
corruption and unethical practices.
➢ Then why did our Constitution makers allow political competition in the elections?

They did so because:

❖ If there is no competition then elections will become pointless. For example, in China
and in Mexico (till 2000), there was no political competition.

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 ❖ This system works well in democracy because it gives choice to the people to re-elect
the political party or remove them.
❖ Political parties want to win the elections and form the Government again and again.
Therefore, they have to serve the people and remain as good and clean leaders of the
country.
➢ What is our system of elections?

❖ We have two major elections –

(1) Lok Sabha/ General Election (Parliamentary election for electing Government of

India and PM).

(2) Vidhan Sabha (Assembly election to elect state government and CM).

❖ Elections are held every five years.

➢ Types of Elections:

❖ There are two other elections under special condition:

(1) By-election: When election take place in one constituency to fill in the vacancy
caused by death or resignation of an elected.
(2) Mid-term election: Election held before the Government has completed its term
of five years due to some reason. In 1999, 13 months, old BJP led Government fell.
Congress also could not work out sufficient seats to form the Government. President
RK Narayan ordered re-election.
➢ How can we have good political leaders?
❖ To try and improve knowledge and character of our political leaders. Voters should
choose good and responsible representatives
❖ Political leaders want to remain in power therefore electoral competition force them to
raise issues that people want. In this way they can become popular and win election.
❖ They want to remain in power they will have to serve the people well.
➢ Electoral Constituencies:
❖ Our country is divided into small areas for the purpose of election. These areas are
known as electoral constituencies.
❖ The people who live in their constituency elect one candidate of their choice. The
candidate who receives maximum number of votes in that constituency sit in the

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 parliament (as MP) after General election or sit in the State Legislative Assembly (as
MLA) after state assembly election.
❖ Each constituency has roughly equal population in it.
❖ For Lok Sabha elections our country is divided into 543 constituencies. [West Bengal
has 295 seats constituencies for state election and 42 for Lok Sabha election].
❖ For Panchayat and Municipal elections each village and towns are divided into
‘Wards’.
➢ Reserved Constituencies:
❖ It is a very good step by our constitution makers because democracy believes in
equality. Each citizen has right to stand for election.
❖ In the open elections, certain weaker sections (SC, ST, OBC, women and minority) do
not get opportunity to get elected as MPs or MLAs. This is because they do not have
necessary money or education or support to stand for elections. Only the rich and
powerful people contest and win the election.
❖ Therefore, our Constitution has ‘reserved’ some constitutions for the weaker groups so
that they can take part in the Government.
➢ Voter’s list/ Electoral Roll:
❖ After the constituencies are fixed voter’s list is prepared. This is to decide who all can
vote and cannot vote.
❖ We have Universal Adult Franchise therefore any one above 18 years of age are
allowed to vote.
❖ But there are people who are not fit to vote according to our constitution. They are
criminals, people who are not sound of mind and illegal immigrants.
❖ It is an important duty of the Government who are right people to vote and a list is
prepared. The list has to be updated regularly.
❖ A new system called Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) has been introduced.
Every citizen whose name is in the voter’s list is given this ID. Each voter will have to
carry this identity when they go to vote.
➢ Nomination of the candidates:
❖ Any citizen above the age of 25 can stand for election. But they have to be good and
responsible citizens.
❖ Political parties choose a candidate (nominate) for election. She/he gets the party
symbol or party ‘ticket.’

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 ❖ The nominated candidate will have to fill in a nomination form and deposit security
money with the election commission. They have to declare if they have any criminal
case pending, give details of their assets and of their family, educational qualification
and submit copy of income-tax return.
❖ No fixed educational qualification is essential.
➢ Election Campaign:

❖ Campaigns are necessary in political competition.

❖ Campaigns help people to understand which representative is better and which
political party can form best Government. Campaigns take place for two weeks
before the day of polling.
❖ Candidates contact the people; political parties have meetings and processions to let
people know about their ideas and programs. TV and newspapers are full of election
related news and debates on big issues. They try to draw voter’s attention towards
them.
❖ Political parties have attractive slogans in elections.

➢ Election laws that regulate political campaigns:

❖ It is necessary to regulate campaigns for discipline and to ensure fair chance to

compete.
❖ No political party or candidate can: (1) Bribe or threaten the voters. (2) Appeal to
them in the name of caste or religion. (3) Use Government resources for campaign.
For example, Government officials or vehicles, etc. (4) Parties cannot spend more
than 70 lakhs in Lok Sabha elections. Not more than 28 lakhs and 20 lakhs for small
states.
❖ All political parties must follow a Model Code of Conduct of election campaigns.
(1) They cannot use any religious place for campaigns. (2) After the date of election
has been announced no minister can start any new project or take policy decisions.

List of common unfair practices in elections:

❖ Entry of false names and remove genuine names of voters from the voter’s list.
❖ Misuse of Government facilities and officials.
❖ Use of too much money by the rich politicians.
❖ To threaten the voters and rigging on the Election Day.

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Polling and counting of votes:

❖ This is the final stage of an election. On this day voters cast or poll their votes.
❖ Every person whose name is in the voters list can go to the nearest ‘polling booth’ to
cast their vote.
❖ The voting is done in secret ballot. The voter votes by putting stamp on ballot paper.
❖ Now Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is used. [It was first used in India in 1982
in Kerala assembly election in some constituencies.]
❖ Introduction of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in 2013. This
machine allows us to see a printed slip for 7 seconds showing the serial number,
name and symbol of our chosen candidate. Incorporating voter verifiable paper audit
trail (VVPAT) system as part of EVMs made election system more transparent
❖ Once the polling is over EVM machines are sealed and taken to a safe place. On a
fixed day counting begins. Within few hours results are declared.

What makes election democratic in India?

Following three features show Indian elections are conducted in democratic manner:

Independent Election Commission:

(a) Our elections are conducted by very powerful election commission which is free from
Government control. The head of the commission called as the Chief Election
Commissioner (CEC), is elected by the President and not by the Government. It is not easy
to remove him from the post.
(b) He is in total control of the election.
(c) He ensures that all political parties follow Code of Conduct of election. If any one does
not follow the rules, he can punish them.
(d) Even the Government has to listen to his orders and officials on election duty will have to
listen to EC alone.
(e) He can order a re-election in any constituency if he comes to know election was not fair in
that constituency. The ruling party has to obey.
Popular participation:

❖ (a) This feature shows the quality of the election in the country. If people happily
come out to vote and are satisfied then we can understand election has been free and
fair.

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 (b) People’s participation is known as ‘turnout’. Turnout indicates percentage of
voters who have come and voted. Our turnout is increasing steadily.
(c) In India poor and uneducated people vote in large numbers. In developed
countries like the USA. poor. Afro-Americans and Hispanics [Spanish speaking
people Latin Americans who live in America] vote much less than rich white
Americans.
(d) Common people give lot of importance to voting because they are hopeful that
their vote can bring change in the country.
Acceptance of election results: If elections were not free and fair then only the powerful
parties win the elections. But in India we see that: (a) ruling parties lose regularly and a new
political party form the Government. (b) Candidates with criminal records mostly lose the
elections. (c) After elections the defeated political parties accept the results as ‘people’s
verdict.’

All these three features prove that Indian elections are free and fair and therefore
democratic.

Limitations and challenges of Indian elections: Despite democratic features Indian

election systems have some serious challenges.

❖ Political parties and candidates with lot of money enjoy many advantages over small
parties.
❖ Some candidates with criminal background manage ‘party tickets’ and may win the
election also.
❖ Some important families dominate elections.
❖ Very often people do not get good choice of political parties as most parties as most
parties are similar in their policies and behaviour.

National Voters’ Day (NVD) is observed on 25 of January.

KEY WORDS: Code of Conduct, Constituency, Factionalism, General election and by-
election, Area based system of representation, Reserved Constituencies, Electoral Roll.
(Voter’s List), Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC), Party Ticket, Model Code of Conduct,
Polling booth, Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail
(VVPAT), Voter turnout, Incumbent, Level playing field & Rigging.

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Questions:

1. Discuss the need of elections.

2. Critically analyse the merits and demerits of electoral competition.
3. Define electoral constituencies.
4. ‘Our country has a system of reserved constituency’- Cite reasons for the same.
5. Analyse the following statements regarding the fair electoral practice and select the
option that reflects a fair electoral practice.
(a) A minister flags off a new train in his constituency a week before polling day.
(b) A candidate promises that she will get a new train for her constituency is she is
elected.
(c) Supporters of a candidate take the voters to a religious shrine and make them to
take an oath that they will vote for him.
(d) The supporters of a candidate distribute food packets in slums in return for a
promise for vote.
6. The information on nominated candidates should be made public- Give your reasons
for this.
7. ‘Educational qualification is not mandatory for candidates for election’- Justify.
8. ‘Election campaigns are an integral part of Electoral Politics’-Discuss. Why is it
necessary to regulate election campaigns?
9. Describe the powers and functions of Election Commission of India.
10. Explain the pattern of popular participation in elections in India.
11. Two statements, I and II are given below. Read both the statements and choose the
correct option.
Statement I: The voters are required to carry EPIC when they go out to vote, so that
no one can vote for someone else.
Statement II: Every candidate has to make a legal declaration, giving full details of
serious criminal cases pending against the candidate.
Options:
(A) Statement I is true, but II is false.
(B) Statement I is false, but II is true.
(C) Statement I and II are true and II is the correct explanation of I
(D) Statement I and II are true, but II is not the correct explanation of I.
12. Discuss the several challenges to free and fair election in India?

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13. Identify the correct statement:
(a) Very few election commissions in the world have such wide-ranging powers as the
Election Commission of India.
(b) In the United States, an incumbent or sitting elected representative frequently
loses an election.
(c) The Lok Sabha implements the code of conduct and punishes any candidate or
party that violates it.
(d) The percentage of eligible voters who cast their votes in an election is associated
with the term ‘Rigging.’
14. The following question consists of two statements: Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Answer the question selecting the appropriate option given:
Assertion (A): The makers of our Constitution thought of a special system of
reserved constituencies for the weaker sections.
Reason (R): The Constitution makers, were worried that in an open electoral
competition, certain weaker sections may not stand a good chance to get elected to the
legislative bodies.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
15. Fraud/ malpractices indulged by a party or candidate to increase its votes is termed as:
a. Electoral Roll.
b. Turnout.
c. Rigging.
d. Incumbent.
COMPARATIVE STUDIES
1. Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha Elections:

Lok Sabha Vidhan Sabha

Lok Sabha elections determine the Vidhan Sabha elections decide the
central leadership of the country state-level government (Chief
(Prime Minister). Minister).
Total number of seats 543. Total number of seats varies from
State to State.
Elections held for Parliamentary Elections held for Assembly
constituencies. constituencies.

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2. By-Elections and Mid-Term Elections.
Feature By- Elections Mid- Term Elections
Meaning Election held to fill a Election held when the
vacant seat in the entire legislature is
legislature. dissolved early (before its
term)
Conducted For Demise, resignation, or Early dissolution of
disqualification of a Parliament or State
sitting member. Assembly.
Number of Seats Only one or a few seats. All seats in the legislative
body.
Involved
Duration of Term Elected candidate serves Elected representatives
for the remaining term serve a full 5-year term
only. (unless dissolved early).
Objective To continue To form a new
representation in the government after collapse
legislature. or dissolution of the
previous one.

COMPETENCY BASED QUESTIONS

1. “A political party is using school buildings and government vehicles for their
campaign.” The given statement is reflection of: _______________________
A. Efficient use of public resources.
B. Legal use since it’s for public benefit.
C. Violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
D. Encouragement of public involvement.
2. Assertion (A): Reserved constituencies help uplift disadvantaged sections of
society.
Reason (R): They ensure fair representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled
Tribes only in the Vidhan Sabhas.
A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason is the correct explanation of
Assertion.
B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation
of Assertion.
C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false.
D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true.
3. Two states had the following voter turnout:
State A: 82%

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 State B: 49%
Which of the following is most likely true based on the given data?
A. State B has better democracy.
B. Voter awareness is higher in State A.
C. State A has fewer polling booths.
D. Voting is compulsory in State B.
4. The Election Commission orders the cancellation of elections in a constituency
after detecting large-scale booth capturing. This indicates: _________________
A. Election Commission is biased.
B. Voting was free and fair.
C. Election Commission has authority to ensure fair elections.
D. Booth capturing is legitimate.
CASE STUDY BASED QUESTIONS

Assembly Election in Haryana

“The time is after midnight. An expectant crowd sitting for the past five hours in a chowk of
the town is waiting for its leader to come. The organisers assure and reassure the crowd that
he would be here any moment. The crowd stands up whenever a passing vehicle comes that
way. It arouses hopes that he has come. The leader is Mr. Devi Lal, chief of the Haryana
Sangharsh Samiti, who was to address a meeting in Karnal on Thursday night. The 76-year-
old leader, is a very busy man these days. His day starts at 8 a.m. and ends after 11 p.m. … he
had already addressed nine election meetings since morning… been constantly addressing
public meetings for the past 23 months and preparing for this election.”

This newspaper report is about the State assembly election in Haryana in 1987. The State had
been ruled by a Congress party led government since 1982. Chaudhary Devi Lal, then an
opposition leader, led a movement called ‘Nyaya Yudh’ (Struggle for Justice) and formed a
new party, Lok Dal. His party joined other opposition parties to form a front against the
Congress in the elections. In the election campaign, Devi Lal said that if his party won the
elections, his government would waive the loans of farmers and small businessmen. He
promised that this would be the first action of his government. The people were unhappy with
the existing government. They were also attracted by Devi Lal’s promise. So, when elections
were held, they voted overwhelmingly in favour of Lok Dal and its allies. Lok Dal and its
partners won 76 out of 90 seats in the State Assembly. Lok Dal alone won 60 seats and thus
had a clear majority in the Assembly. The Congress could win only 5 seats.

Based on the given source answer the following:

1. As an opposition leader, Chaudhary Devi Lal was associated with which movement?
2. ‘The promise of waving of loans helped Devi Lal's party in the election’- Support the
given statement.
3. “The outcome of India’s elections speaks for itself”- Mention the outcome that you
can derive from the source given.
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