Elections
Part2- Short questions
1. What do you mean by the term 'Election'?
Ans- Elections is a process of choosing the representatives
to form the government
2. What is the need for elections in India?
Ans- 1. Elections gave common people the right to choose
their representative
2. It made the government answerable to people for their
actions.
3. What are the two kinds of elections in India?
Ans- Direct and indirect elections
4. Point out one advantage each of the above kinds of
Elections.
Ans- Direct elections- Representatives are accountable to
voters for their actions
Indirect elections- It is more appropriate for large
constituencies.
5. State two disadvantages of both Direct and Indirect
elections.
Ans-Direct elections-
1. Voters may cast their vote based on colour, caste,
religion, or emotion
2. A huge amount of money, time, and energy is spent on
direct elections
Indirect elections-
1. This is less democratic
2. As the number of voters are low, chances of corruption
are high
6. What are the types of elections? When were the first
general election held in India?
Ans- Types of elections are General elections, By-
elections, and mid-term election
The first general elections were held on 25 January 1950
7. State the differentiate between By-election and Mid-
term election.
Ans- By-elections are held to fill the vacant seats of the
legislature due to sudden death or resignation of the
member
Mid-term elections are the elections held before the tenure
of 5 years
Mid-term elections are held to bring a new house to power
8. When was the Election Commission established in
India?
Ans- 25 January, 1950
9. What is the maximum term of office of an Election
Commission?
Ans- 6 years
10. How can the Election Commissioner be removed
from the office?
Ans- Election commissioners can be removed from the
office by president on the advice of the chief election
commissioner
Part3- Long questions
1. What are the broader implications of Elections in
India? What are the comparative advantages and
disadvantages of Direct and Indirect Elections?
Ans–1. The representatives elected by the people retain
power only for a fixed tenure
2. After this tenure they have to be re-elected to resume
power
3. The leaders raise the interest of the common people in
public affairs like economic, social, and political problems
affecting the entire nation
Advantages-
Direct elections-
1. It raises the interest of the common people in various
affairs related to public welfare and the nation
2. The representatives are accountable to voters for their
every action
Indirect elections-
1. It reduces the role of people as the vote is made by a
few people
2. It is more appropriate for large constituencies
Disadvantages-
Direct elections-
1. Voters may cast their vote based on colour, caste,
religion, or emotion
2. A huge amount of money, time, and energy is spent on
direct elections
Indirect elections-
1. This is less democratic
2. As the number of voters are low, chances of corruption
are high
2. What do you understand by the term ‘General' and
'Mid-term' election? Provide a brief explanation.
Ans-General elections
1. General elections are held completion of 5 years
2. The first general elections in India based on Adult
franchise were held in 1952
Mid-term elections
1. Mid-term elections are the elections held before the
tenure of 5 years
2. Mid-term elections are held to bring a new house to
power
3. Elections in India are conducted by the Election
Commission of India. In this context, answer the
following questions:
(a) Composition of the Election Commission of India
Ans- The election commission is composed of-
Chief Election commissioner
Election commissioner
(b) Appointment and tenure of the Election
Commissioners
Ans- The president appoints the Chief Election
Commissioner and Election commissioner
They have a tenure of 6 years
(c) Role of the Election Commission in the conduct of
free and fair elections.
Ans- 1. Updating electoral rolls
2. Alloting symbols to political parties
3. Registration of voter identity cards
4. Conducting free and fair elections
5. Scrutinizing nomination papers
4. Differentiate between Direct and Indirect Election.
Ans- Direct elections-
1. Representatives are directly chosen by the people
through voting
2. Memebers of Lok sabha and state legislative assembly
are chosen by this elections
3. There is a very large body of voters known as the
electorate
Indirect elections-
1. Representatives are indirectly chosen by the people
through voting as people elect the intermediary group who
further vote to elect the representatives
2. Members of Rajya Sabha, president, and Vidhan
Parishad
3. There is a very small body of voters known as the
Electoral College
