Ramesh was not in class when this chapter was being taught.

[question] Question. Ramesh was not in class when this chapter was being taught. He came the next day and repeated what he had heard from his father. Can you tell Ramesh what is wrong with these statements? (a) Women always vote the way men tell them to. So what is the point of giving them the right to vote? (b) Party politics creates tension in society. Elections should be decided by consensus not by competition. (c) Only graduates should be allowed to stand as candidates for elections. [/quest...

Here are some reports of malpractices in Indian elections.

[question] Question. Here are some reports of malpractices in Indian elections. Identify what the problem in each case is. What should be done to correct the situation? (a) Following the announcement of elections, the minister promised to provide financial aid to reopen the closed sugar mill. (b) Opposition parties alleged that their statements and campaign was not given due attention in Doordarshan and All India Radio. (c) An inquiry by the Election Commission showed that electoral rolls of a s...

Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world.

[question] Question. Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world. Is there anything that these countries can learn from India to improve their elections? What would you suggest in each case? (a) During an election in Nigeria, the officer in charge of counting votes deliberately increased the votes of one candidate and declared him elected. The court later found out that more than five lakh votes cast for one candidate were counted in favour of another. (b) J...

Chinappa was convicted for torturing his wife for dowry.

[question] Question. Chinappa was convicted for torturing his wife for dowry. Satbir was held guilty of practicing untouchability. The court did not allow either of them to contest elections. Does this decision go against the principles of democratic elections? [/question] [solution] Solution: This decision does not go against the principles of democratic elections as both Chinappa and Satbir are criminals, and hence, should be prevented from holding positions in the central or state assemblies....

Can we draw the following conclusions from the information given in this chapter?

[question] Question. Can we draw the following conclusions from the information given in this chapter? Give two facts to support your position for each of these. (a) Election Commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair elections in the country. (b) There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country. (c) It is very easy for the party in power to win an election. (d) Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair [/qu...

Surekha is an officer in-charge of ensuring free and fair elections in an assembly constituency in a state.

[question] Question. Surekha is an officer in-charge of ensuring free and fair elections in an assembly constituency in a state. Describe what should she focus on for each of the following stages of election: (a) Election campaign (b) Polling day (c) Counting day [/question] [solution] Solution: (a) Election campaign āˆ’ For this, Surekha will have to focus on seeing that the candidates do not bribe or threaten the voters; appeal to them in the name of caste or religion; use government resources f...

Match the following:

[question] Question. Match the following: [/question] [solution] Solution: [/solution]...

Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false?

[question] Question. Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false? (a) Elections enable people to judge the performance of the government. (b) People select the representative of their choice in an election. (c) Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary. (d) People can indicate which policies they prefer. [/question] [solution] Solution: Statement ā€˜cā€™ is false. [/solution]...