Q1: Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Elections take place regularly in any democracy. In most democratic countries, people elect their representatives to govern on their behalf. Elections ensure that people can choose their representatives and hold them accountable for their actions. Without elections, it would be difficult to determine the will of the people or ensure that leaders act in their best interest. In a democratic setup, elections also allow citizens to change their representatives if they are not satisfied with their performance.
i. Why are elections important in a democracy? (1 mark)
ii. How do elections ensure accountability of representatives? (2 marks)
iii. What happens if there are no elections in a democracy? (1 mark)
Ans:
i. Elections are important because they allow people to choose their representatives and ensure governance by the people's will.
ii. Elections ensure accountability as representatives need to work for the people to get re-elected; if they fail, they may lose the next election.
iii. Without elections, there would be no way to assess public opinion, and leaders could remain in power without being answerable to the people.
Q2: Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
In 1987, Haryana held its State Assembly elections. The state had been ruled by the Congress since 1982. However, opposition leader Chaudhary Devi Lal led a movement called ‘Nyaya Yudh’ (Struggle for Justice) and formed the Lok Dal party. During the election campaign, Devi Lal promised to waive farmers' loans if his party won. The people, unhappy with the existing government, voted overwhelmingly for Lok Dal. The party and its allies won 76 out of 90 seats, and Devi Lal became the Chief Minister. However, in the next election in 1991, his party lost, and the Congress returned to power.
i. Why did the people of Haryana vote for Lok Dal in 1987? (1 mark)
ii. What does this election result tell us about the role of electoral competition? (2 marks)
iii. Why did Devi Lal's party lose in the 1991 elections? (1 mark)
Ans:
i. The people voted for Lok Dal because they were unhappy with the Congress government, and Devi Lal promised to waive farmers’ loans.
ii. The result shows that elections allow people to change their government if they are dissatisfied, ensuring political competition.
iii. His party lost in 1991 because the people were not satisfied with its performance in power.
Q3: Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Elections can be conducted in various ways, but democratic elections must meet certain conditions. First, every citizen should have the right to vote, and each vote should carry equal value. Second, there must be real choices, meaning multiple candidates and parties should be free to contest. Third, elections must be held at regular intervals. Fourth, the preferred candidate of the people should be the one who wins. Finally, elections should be free and fair, without unfair practices such as vote-buying or voter intimidation.
i. What are the basic conditions for an election to be democratic? (1 mark)
ii. Why is the presence of multiple political parties important in a democracy? (2 marks)
iii. How can elections be unfair despite being held regularly? (1 mark)
Ans:
i. A democratic election must have universal voting rights, real choices, regular intervals, fair competition, and free and fair conduct.
ii. Multiple political parties allow voters to have choices, ensuring competition and preventing a single-party monopoly.
iii. Elections can be unfair if there is voter intimidation, manipulation, or restrictions on opposition candidates.
Q4: Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
The Indian Constitution provides for reserved constituencies to ensure representation for weaker sections. Certain seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to protect their interests. Currently, 84 seats in the Lok Sabha are reserved for SCs and 47 for STs. This system ensures that marginalized communities have a voice in decision-making, making democracy more representative. Additionally, one-third of the seats in local bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities are reserved for women.
i. Why were reserved constituencies introduced in India? (1 mark)
ii. How do reserved constituencies make Indian democracy more representative? (2 marks)
iii. How many Lok Sabha seats are currently reserved for SCs and STs? (1 mark)
Ans:
i. Reserved constituencies were introduced to provide political representation to marginalized communities like SCs and STs.
ii. They ensure that weaker sections have a voice in governance, preventing domination by powerful groups.
iii. 84 seats are reserved for SCs, and 47 seats are reserved for STs in the Lok Sabha.
Q5: Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
The Election Commission (EC) of India is an independent body that conducts elections. It ensures free and fair elections by implementing rules and punishing violations. The EC decides the election schedule, enforces the Model Code of Conduct, and supervises the counting of votes. During elections, government officials work under the EC’s authority instead of the ruling party. The EC can also order a re-poll if elections are found to be unfair in any area.
i. Why is the Election Commission considered an independent body? (1 mark)
ii. What powers does the Election Commission have to ensure free and fair elections? (2 marks)
iii. What action can the EC take if elections in a particular area are found to be unfair? (1 mark)
Ans:
i. The EC is independent because it is not controlled by the government and can make decisions without political influence.
ii. The EC conducts elections, enforces the Model Code of Conduct, supervises voting and counting, and punishes election law violations.
iii. The EC can order a re-poll in areas where elections were unfair.
Q6: Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Elections involve political competition, where different candidates and parties contest to win public support. While competition ensures that leaders remain accountable to voters, it also has some drawbacks. Political parties often make unrealistic promises, level accusations against rivals, and sometimes use unfair means to win. However, competition ultimately benefits democracy as it allows people to express their choices and elect representatives who best serve their interests.
i. How does political competition benefit democracy? (1 mark)
ii. What are some negative effects of political competition? (2 marks)
iii. Why do leaders need to remain accountable in a democracy? (1 mark)
Ans:
i. Political competition benefits democracy by ensuring that representatives remain accountable and serve the interests of the people.
ii. Negative effects include excessive accusations, unrealistic promises, and sometimes unfair practices like vote-buying.
iii. Leaders must remain accountable so that people can evaluate their performance and choose better representatives in the next elections.
Q7: Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
In India, elections are conducted based on territorial constituencies. The entire country is divided into 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, each electing one Member of Parliament (MP). Similarly, State Assemblies have their own constituencies, where Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected. Each constituency should ideally have a roughly equal population to ensure fair representation. In local elections, villages and towns are divided into wards, each electing a representative.
i. What is the purpose of dividing the country into electoral constituencies? (1 mark)
ii. How does having equal population in constituencies ensure fair representation? (2 marks)
iii. How many Lok Sabha constituencies are there in India? (1 mark)
Ans:
i. Constituencies ensure that every region has a representative, making elections more organized and systematic.
ii. Equal population in constituencies ensures that each vote has the same value, preventing over-representation or under-representation.
iii. There are 543 Lok Sabha constituencies in India.
Q8: Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
In a democracy, elections must be conducted fairly, and every eligible citizen should have the right to vote. India follows the principle of Universal Adult Franchise, meaning every citizen aged 18 years or above can vote, regardless of caste, religion, gender, or economic status. The Voters' List (Electoral Roll) is prepared before elections to ensure only eligible voters participate. The government revises the list regularly, adding new voters and removing names of those who have moved or passed away.
i. What does Universal Adult Franchise mean? (1 mark)
ii. Why is it necessary to update the voters’ list regularly? (2 marks)
iii. What is the minimum voting age in India? (1 mark)
Ans:
i. Universal Adult Franchise means that every citizen aged 18 or above has the right to vote, regardless of their background.
ii. The voters' list must be updated regularly to include new voters and remove names of those who have moved away or passed away, ensuring fairness.
iii. The minimum voting age in India is 18 years.
Q9: Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Election campaigns allow candidates and political parties to reach voters and share their plans. However, election campaigns must follow certain rules to ensure fairness. The Model Code of Conduct prohibits candidates from bribing voters, using government resources for campaigns, or making appeals based on caste or religion. If a candidate or party violates these rules, their election results can be challenged in court.
i. What is the purpose of election campaigns? (1 mark)
ii. What are some rules under the Model Code of Conduct for election campaigns? (2 marks)
iii. What happens if a candidate violates election rules? (1 mark)
Ans:
i. Election campaigns allow candidates to communicate their policies and ideas to voters.
ii. The Model Code of Conduct prohibits bribing voters, using government resources for campaigns, and making caste or religion-based appeals.
iii. If a candidate violates election rules, their election can be challenged in court and even canceled.
Q10: Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
On election day, voters cast their votes at polling booths, which are set up in schools and government offices. Each voter is identified, their finger is marked with ink, and they cast their vote using an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). After polling, the EVMs are sealed and taken to a secure location. Votes are counted in the presence of officials and party representatives. The candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner.
i. What is an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)? (1 mark)
ii. How is voting ensured to be fair on polling day? (2 marks)
iii. How is the winning candidate in a constituency determined? (1 mark)
Ans:
i. An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a device used to record votes electronically instead of using paper ballots.
ii. Voting is made fair by identifying voters, marking their finger with ink, allowing party agents to observe the process, and sealing EVMs after polling.
iii. The candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner.
