Question - 1 : -
Which of the following resembles most a direct democracy?
(a) Discussions in a family meeting.
(b) Election of the class monitor.
(c) Choice of a candidate by a political party.
(d) Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha.
(e) Opinion polls conducted by the media

Answer - 1 : -

(d) Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha.

Question - 2 : -
Which of the following tasks are not performed by the Election Commission?
(a) Preparing the Electoral Rolls.
(b) Nominating the candidates.
(c) Setting up polling booths.
(id) Implementing the model code of conduct.
(e) Supervising the Panchayat elections.

Answer - 2 : -

(e) Supervising the Panchayat elections.

Question - 3 : -
Which of the following is common to the method of election of the members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha?
(a) Every citizen above the age of 18 is an eligible voter.
(b) Voter can give preference order for different candidates.
(c) Every vote has equal value.
(d) The winner must get more than half the votes.

Answer - 3 : -

(a) Every citizen above the age of 18 is an eligible voter.

Question - 4 : -
In the First Past the Post System, that candidate is declared winner who:
(a) Secures the largest number of postal ballots.
(b) Belongs to the party that has highest number of votes in the country.
(c) Has more votes than any other candidate in the constituency.
(d) Attains first position by securing more than 50% votes.

Answer - 4 : -

Question - 5 : -
What is the difference between the system of reservation of constituencies and the system of separate electorate? Why did the Constitution makers reject the latter?

Answer - 5 : -

There is much difference between the system of reservation of constituencies and system of separate electorate:

Separate electorate system:

It has been a curse to India.
The British started this system to divide votes between the Sikhs, the Muslims, and some other minorities.
These groups elected their own representatives by separate vote.
In separate electorate system, the candidates are elected by those voters, who belong to that particular community.

System of reservation of constituencies:

All voters are eligible to vote.
Candidate must belong to a particular community for which seat is reserved.
The constitution provides the reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies. The constitution-makers rejected the latter because they were aware that the system of separate electorate destroyed the spirit of national integration.

Question - 6 : -
Which of the following statements are incorrect? Identify and correct them by substituting, adding or rearranging only one word or phrase.
(a) FPTP system is followed for all the elections in India.
(b) Election Commission does not supervise PanChayat and Municipal elections.
(c) President of India cannot remove an Election Commissioner.
(d) Appointment of more than one Election Commissioner in the Election Commission is mandatory.

Answer - 6 : -

(a) This is incorrect, the correct statement is FPTP system is followed for all elections in India except election of the President, the Vice President and for the elections to the Rajya Sabha and the Vidhan Parishad.

(b) This is correct statement

(d) This is also incorrect. The correct statement is the appointment of more than one Election Commissioner is not mandatory.

Question - 7 : -
Indian electoral system aims at ensuring representation of socially disadvantaged sections. However, we are yet to have even 10 per cent women members in our legislatures. What measures would you suggest to improve the situation?

Answer - 7 : -

The Indian Constitution provides the reservation for SC’s and ST’s in our legislative’s. But it lacks the similar reservation for disadvantaged groups. As there should be some more reservation for women through the constitutional amendment, which should not only be a proposal, but also be passed.

Question - 8 : -
Here are some wishes expressed in a conference to discuss a constitution for a new country. Write against each of these whether FPTP or Proportional Representation system is more suited to meet each of these wishes.
(a) People should clearly know who is their representative so that they can hold him or her personally accountable.
(b) We have small linguistic minorities who are spread all over the country; we should ensure fair representation to them.
(c) There should be no discrepancy between votes and seats for different parties.
(d) People should be able to elect a good candidate even if they do not like his or her political party.

Answer - 8 : -

(a) FPTP

(b) Proportional Representation

(d) FPTP

Question - 9 : -
A former Chief Election Commissioner joined a political party and contested elections. There are various views on this issue. One view is that a former Election Commissioner is an independent citizen and has a right to join any political party and to contest election. According to the other view, leaving this possibility open can affect the impartiality of the Election Commission. So, former Election Commissioners must not be allowed to contest any elections. Which position do you agree with and why?

Answer - 9 : -

Election Commission of India is a constitutional independent body set for conducting elections of the Union Parliament, the state Legislative Assembly, President and Vice President under the Article 324(i) of India Constitution. The Election Commission is an impartial agency to conduct free and fair elections in country. Hence, Election Commissioner must not be allowed to contest any election because it can affect the impartiality of the Commission.

Question - 10 : -
“Indian democracy is now ready to shift from a crude First Past the Post system to a system of Proportional Representation”. Do you agree with this statement? Give your reasons for or against this statement.

Answer - 10 : -

Yes, I agree with the statement along with the following reasons:

India enjoys a multi-party system including regional parties, hence to provide the shape to all the political parties, the proportional system is far better.
Decentralization of power strengthens the sense of responsibility along with national unity and integrity.
Representation democracy makes the democracy more effective and trustworthy.
It ensures the political parties to get seats along with proportionate votes.
The election system has allowed the voters to change governments peacefully both at the state and the national level.
Voters have consistently keen interest to the election process. Hence, the number of candidates and parties are continuously on rise.

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