Short Answer Questions

Question 1
What is meant by the term election?
Answer
Election is a procedure whereby persons are chosen, by voting, to represent the
voters for running the government.
Question 2
Under which method of elections are the elections to Lok Sabha held? Name the
system of election to the office of the President of India.
Answer
The Lok Sabha elections are held by Direct election method. People of India
directly elect their representatives to the Lok Sabha.
The system of election to the office of the President of India is indirect Elections.
Question 3
What is meant by a (a) by-election (b) mid-term election ?
Answer
(a) By-elections — When a seat held by any member of the Legislative Assembly
in the Centre or State falls vacant on account of death or resignation of the
member before completion of his/her term, to fill up this vacancy the election
which is held is called By-Election.
(b) Mid-term election — This type of election is held when a State Legislative
Assembly or the Lok Sabha is dissolved before the completion of its full term (5
years).
Question 4
Who allots the symbols to political parties? What role do election symbols play in
an election?
Answer
The Election Commission allots symbols to political parties.
The election symbols give identification to the political parties on ballot
paper/electronic voting machine. It helps illiterate voters to identify the party
they want to vote for.
Question 5
Name two important powers and functions of the Election Commission.
Answer
Two important powers and functions of the Election Commission are:
1. Preparation of Electoral Rolls and Photo Identity Cards.
 2. Registration and Recognition of Political Parties.
Question 6
What is known as the Voters List? Who prepares the voters list?
Answer
The Commission identifies eligible voters in each constituency and prepares the
list of all eligible voters. This is called voters list.
The Election Commission prepares the voters list.
Question 7
Write a short note on the advisory function of the Election Commission.
Answer
The election commission advises the President or the Governors of the State in
respect of electoral matters, disqualification of members, election disputes,
petitions etc. The commission also advises judiciary in the matter of post election
disqualification of sitting members of parliament and state legislature. The cases
of persons found guilty of corrupt practices at elections which come before the
supreme court and high courts are also referred to the commission for its
opinion.
Structured Questions
Question 1
With reference to Democracy and Elections, answer the following questions:
(a) Distinguish between two types of elections.
(b) What type of elections are direct and what type are indirect in a
Parliamentary Democracy?
(c) How are the elections of the President and Vice-President of India held? Give
reasons to support your answer.
Answer

Sl.
Direct Election Indirect Election
No.

People vote directly for their People elect their representatives indirectly through
1
representatives. their elected representatives.

Law regulates the qualifications, age, etc.

All elected representatives are treated at par. There
2 of voters and establishes eligibility
are no further qualifications.
requirements for State officials.

3 Every adult person holds the right to vote. Every elected representative holds the right to vote.
Sl.
Direct Election Indirect Election
No.

There is a very large body of voters called

4 There is a very small body of voters.
the Electorate.

The Members of State Legislative Councils,

Members of Legislative Assemblies and
5 Members of Rajya Sabha, the President of India and
Members of Lok Sabha are elected directly.
the Vice President are elected indirectly.

(a) Below are the differences between the two types of elections:
(b) Election of Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha are direct and the election
of State Legislative Councils, Rajya Sabha, the President of India and the Vice
President are indirect in a Parliamentary Democracy.
(c) The President of India is elected indirectly by the members of an Electoral
college consisting of the elected members of both the houses of Parliament and
the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States including
National Capital Territory of Delhi and Union Territory of Pondicherry. The election
takes place in accordance with the system of proportional representation by
means of a single transferable vote. Like the President, the election of the Vice-
President is also indirect. The Vice-President is elected by members of both
Houses of Parliament. In this election, the State Legislatures do not take part.
Question 2
With reference to types of elections, answer the following:
(a) What is known as General Elections?
(b) State two points of difference between a by-election and mid-term election.
(c) When were the last General Elections held in India? What do you understand
by the term 'electorate'? What are the rights of electorate?
Answer
(a) The Elections held to elect the members of the Lok Sabha after expiry of the
normal term of five years are called the General Elections.
(b) Two points of difference between a by-election and mid-term election are:

Sl.
Mid-Term Election By-elections
No.

This type of election is held when a State This type of election is held when
1 Legislative Assembly or Lok Sabha is dissolved vacant due to death or resignatio
before the completion of its full term (5 years) member before completion of his

The member so elected remains

2 The new house has a full five year term.
for the unexpired term of the hou
(c) The last General Elections were held in 2019 in India.
An electorate can be defined as all the people who are eligible to vote.
Alternatively, a very large body of voters is called the electorate.
The Indian Constitution grants the right to vote to all Indian citizens of sound
mind above the age of 18, irrespective of an individual’s caste, religion, social or
economic status. Every voter is allowed one vote only. A voter can vote at the
constituency where they have registered themselves.
Question 3
With reference to terms of office and conditions of service of the Election
Commission, answer the following questions:
(a) Who constitute the Election Commission? Who is the head of the Election
Commission? Who appoints him?
(b) What is the term of the Election Commissioners? What happens in case there
is a difference in opinion between the Election Commissioners?
(c) State any four functions of the Election Commission.
Answer
(a) The Election Commission consists of three members — a chief Election
Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners.
The chief election commissioner is the head of the Election commission. He is
appointed by the President of India
(b) The term of the Election Commissioners is six years. During this tenure if
they attain the age of 65 years, they shall vacate office on the day of attaining
this age.
In case there is a difference in opinion between the Election Commissioners,
decision is taken in favour of the majority opinion.
(c) Following are the four functions of the Election Commission:
1. Preparation of electoral rolls and photo identity cards.
2. Registration and recognition of political parties.
3. Fixing dat