M.E.
S INDIAN SCHOOL, DOHA -QATAR
Notes 2024- 2025
Section : Boys’&Girls’ Date: 19/09/2024
Class & Div. : IX (All Divisions) Subject : Social Science
Lesson / Topic: Civics- Lesson-3 –The Electoral Politics
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1. What is Election? Why do we need elections?
Election is a mechanism by which people choose their representatives at regular intervals and change
them if they wish to do so. We need elections because,
a) A rule of the people is possible without any elections if all the people can sit together every day
and take all the decisions.
b) This is not possible in any large community. Nor is it possible for everyone to have the time and
knowledge to take decisions on all matters.
c) Through elections we can choose the party whose policies will guide the government and law making.
Therefore elections are considered essential for any representative democracy.
2. What are the choices of a voter in an election?
In an election the voters make many choices.
a) They can choose who will make laws for them.
b) They can choose who will form the government and take major decisions.
c) They can choose the party whose policies will guide the government and law making.
3. What makes an election democratic?
OR
What are the minimum conditions required to make an election democratic?
a) Everyone should be able to choose. This means that everyone should have one vote and every vote
should have equal value.
b) Parties and candidates should be free to contest elections and should offer some real choice to
the voters.
c) Elections must be held at regular intervals.
d) Candidate preferred by the people should be elected.
e) Elections should be held in a free and fair manner where people can choose as they really wish.
4. Mention any five demerits of an electoral competition.
a) It creates a sense of disunity and factionalism in every locality.
b) Political parties and leaders level allegation at each other.
c) Political parties and candidates often use dirty tricks to win elections.
d) Pressure to win election does not lead to the formulation of long term policies.
e) Good people who may wish to serve the country do not enter this arena. They do not like unhealthy
competition.
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5. Why did the Indian Constitution reserve constituencies for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled tribes?
(Mention any 5 points)
a) Our Constitution entitles every citizen to elect her/his representative and to be elected as a
representative.
b) The constitution makers, however, were worried that in an open electoral competition, certain
weaker sections (SC & ST) may not stand a good chance to get elected.
c) They may not have the required resources, education and contacts to contest and win elections
against others. Those who are influential and resourceful may prevent them from winning
elections.
d) If that happens our Parliament and Assemblies would be deprived of the voice of a significant
section of our population.
e) So, the makers of our Constitution thought of a special system of reserved constituencies for the
SC and ST.
6. Differentiate between general election and by-election.
Elections are held in all constituencies at the same time, either on the same day or within a few days.
This is called a general election.
Sometimes election is held only for one constituency to fill the vacancy caused by death or resignation
of a member. This is called a by-election.
7. Describe the rules and regulations regarding election campaign in India.
According to our election law, no party or candidate can,
a) Bribe or threaten voters:
b) Appeal to them in the name of caste or religion:
c) Use government resources for election campaign:
d) Spend more than Rs.25 lakh in Lok Sabha election or Rs.10 lakh in assembly election:
e) If any candidate violates the above laws and rules his election can be rejected by the court.
8. Mention any five powers exercised by the Election Commission of India.
a) Election Commission has the right to take decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of
elections.
b) It implements the Code of Conduct and punishes violators.
c) It prevents mis use of government machinery at the time of elections.
d) All government officers on election duty are under the control of Election Commission.
e) During the election period, the Election Commission can order the government to follow some
guidelines.
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