Elections
Grade 9
Class Notes
Chapters and Concepts Covered
Kinds of What are
elections elections?
Elections
Types of Election
elections Commission
of India
What Are Elections?
• They are a contest between candidates to get people’s
support in the form of votes.
• The political party that wins the highest number of seats
forms the government.
Why Do We Need Elections?
• Elections help in the administration of a
country.
• Regular elections help in changing an
unsatisfactory government.
• Regular elections ensure space for new
ideas.
• Elected representatives remain
responsible
and accountable to the people.
• A democratic government cannot exist
without elections.
Election Commission of India
• It was established in 1950.
• It is an independent body responsible for
conducting elections in a free and fair
manner.
The Election Commission conducts elections
for:
− The Parliament
− The state legislatures
− The office of the President
− The office of the Vice President
Composition of the Election Commission of India
• ECI is headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
• Two other commissioners assist the CEC.
• They are appointed by the President for six years or age of 65
years, whichever is earlier.
• Their condition of service cannot be changed to their
disadvantage.
• The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office
only on the same grounds as that of the Supreme Court
judges (impeachment).
• Regional commissioners are appointed by the President/state
governments if and when requested by ECI.
• They help the election commissioners perform their duties.
Functions of the Election
Commission of India
Preparation of electoral
1 rolls: The voter list
includes the names of all
the eligible voters in a
Delimitation of constituency.
constituencies: To hold The electoral roll contains
elections in an organised 2 the personal details of the
manner, the entire state is
eligible voters.
divided into several
constituencies.
The delimitation is done by the
Delimitation Commission of
Fixing election dates: The
India, which works in 3 exact date for elections is
collaboration with ECI. fixed.
It can also refuse to conduct
elections on a particular date
Scrutiny of nomination with due reason.
papers: Nomination papers 4
filed by candidates may
either be accepted or Allotment of election
rejected. symbols: Political parties of
national standing are
5 allotted permanent party
symbols for easy
recognition.
Checking undue
interference: It checks that
the party in power
does not take undue
advantage of its power or,
6
government resources and
no nuisance is created
during electoral
campaigns. Holding elections and
declaring results: Presiding
7 and polling officers are
appointed to conduct
elections, count votes, and
declare results.
Direct Elections
• When voters directly elect their representatives, it is called
direct elections.
• Members of Lok Sabha, Members of Legislative Assemblies
(MLA), and members of local bodies are elected directly.
Merits Demerits
• Most democratic • People can be
type of election misled.
• Increases public • Can disrupt daily
interest life
• Candidates more • Conducting direct
responsible and elections can be
accountable. expensive.
Indirect Elections
• When voters first elect a small number of electors who in
turn elect members of legislatures, it is called an indirect
election.
• The President, the Vice President, the members of Rajya
Sabha, and the vidhan parishad (legislative council) are
elected in this manner.
Merits and Demerits of
Indirect Elections
Merits Demerits
• Less expensive • Less democratic
• Abundance of time • People have less control
to think for the over elected leaders.
chosen electors • Kills public interest
before final voting in elections
• Members can easily
be bribed.
General elections
• They are conducted every five years.
• The members are elected for the Lok Sabha
and the state legislatures through these
elections.
Mid-term elections
Types of • They are conducted when the vidhan sabha
(legislative assembly) or the Lok Sabha is
Elections dissolved before the completion of five years.
• Mid-term elections are held to elect new
members.
By-elections
• A vacancy in the Lok Sabha or the vidhan
sabha can arise due to death or resignation
of a member.
• By-elections are conducted to fill the
vacancy.
• The newly elected member serves the
remaining term.
Important Questions
Question 1: Discuss the merits and demerits of direct and indirect
elections. (5 marks)
Question 2: Describe the functions of the Election Commission of
India. (5 marks)
Question 3: Discuss the composition of the Election Commission of
India. (3 marks)
