Test: Election and Representation- 1 - UPSC MCQ

Till 1989, the Election Commission was a single member. Just before the 1989 general elections, two Election Commissioners were appointed, making the body multi-member. Soon after the elections, the Commission reverted to its single member status. In 1993, two Election Commissioners were once again appointed.

Except Netherlands the rest of the countries follows the first past the post system.

The most common electoral system, used in Canada, India, the UK and the United States, is first past the post or winner-take-all.

In the electoral race, the candidate who is ahead of others, who crosses the winning post first of all, is the winner. This method is also called the plurality system. This is the method of election prescribed by the Indian Constitution.

Till 1989, an adult Indian meant an Indian citizen above the age of 21. An amendment to the Constitution in 1989 reduced the eligibility age to 18.

In this system, all eligible voters living in a specified area vote to elect their representatives. The total electorate of the country, irrespective of their profession or group is divided into territorial constituencies, which elect one or more representatives. The entire population is divided into constituencies with more or less equal numbers of voters.

At present, the Election Commission of India is a three-member body, with one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.

The correct answer is the Election Commission of India. The Election Commission of India is an independent constitutional authority responsible for administering and overseeing the conduct of elections in India. The President of India has the power to issue notifications for elections, but the actual process of conducting elections is carried out by the Election Commission.

After the polling has finished, the votes are counted under the supervision of Returning Officers and Observers appointed by the Election Commission. After the counting of votes is over, the Returning Officer declares the name of the candidate to whom the largest number of votes have been given as the winner.

Universal Adult Franchise means adults (18 years and above) who have the nationality of India, have the right to vote irrespective of caste, colour, creed or gender.