ElectionsClass 9 Social Science NCERT Solutions
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Q1Questions and activities
What reforms have been introduced by the ECI to make voting more inclusive for the following groups? a. People with Disabilities b. Service Voters c. Senior Citizens- above 85 years of age d. Prisoners e. Persons in preventive detention
Solution
Based on the chapter, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced the following reforms to make voting more inclusive:
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a. People with Disabilities (PwDs): The ECI has focused on infrastructure accessibility and technology-assisted inclusion for PwDs. This includes providing facilities like EVMs with Braille. Furthermore, for the 2024 General Elections, a 'Voting from home' facility was extended to PwDs with a benchmark disability of 40%.
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b. Service Voters: The ECI has introduced the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS). This system enables service voters to cast their vote on an electronically received postal ballot from their preferred location, which is typically outside their originally assigned voting constituency.
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c. Senior Citizens - above 85 years of age: For the 2024 General Elections, the ECI extended the 'Voting from home' facility to senior citizens above 85 years of age, allowing them to cast their vote without having to visit the polling station.
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d. Prisoners & e. Persons in preventive detention: The provided chapter text does not contain specific information about electoral reforms or voting provisions for prisoners or persons in preventive detention.
Q2Questions and activities
What are the various functions of the Election Commission of India? Which of these functions is most important for the conduct of free and fair elections? Explain.
Solution
The Election Commission of India (ECI) performs several crucial functions to manage the electoral process in the country. The main functions mentioned in the chapter are:
- Creating the electoral roll: The ECI prepares, updates, verifies, and corrects the electoral rolls for each constituency to ensure all eligible citizens are included and ineligible ones are removed.
- Deciding the election schedule: The ECI determines the dates and schedule for elections, considering factors like weather, festivals, and examinations.
- Registering political parties and allocating symbols: The ECI registers political parties, classifies them as national or state parties, and allots election symbols. It also resolves disputes related to party recognition and symbols.
- Ensuring free and fair elections: The ECI takes numerous measures to ensure the entire electoral process is inclusive, impartial, trustworthy, and conducted in a transparent manner.
Among these, the function of ensuring free and fair elections is the most important. The chapter states that for elections to be meaningful, fairness is essential. If fairness is not ensured through measures against intimidation, accurate vote counting, and providing accessibility, public confidence in the democratic process and electoral institutions can weaken. While other functions like preparing rolls and schedules are vital logistical steps, the core democratic value of an election rests on its integrity, impartiality, and trustworthiness, which is the primary responsibility of this function.
Q3Questions and activities
Elections are the soul of a democracy. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Solution
Yes, I agree with the statement that elections are the soul of a democracy. The chapter provides several reasons to support this view.
First, elections are the primary mechanism through which citizens exercise their right to vote and fulfill their responsibility. It is the most direct way for people to participate in their own governance.
Second, elections give every citizen an equal voice in the formation of the government. This principle of political equality is fundamental to a democracy. By choosing their representatives, citizens hold the government accountable for its actions and have the power to change a non-performing government.
Finally, the chapter emphasizes that democracy is not just about holding elections, but about ensuring the process is free, fair, inclusive, and trustworthy. This process of conducting meaningful elections, where diverse viewpoints are presented by political parties and voters can make informed choices, is what gives life and substance to a democratic system. Therefore, elections are indeed the soul of a democracy as they empower citizens and ensure that the government is based on the consent of the governed.
Q4Questions and activities
Explain at least three differences between the national and state/regional political parties.
Solution
The main differences between national and state/regional political parties are based on the criteria for recognition set by the Election Commission of India, which reflect their scale of political influence.
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Geographical Spread of Influence: A national party has a widespread presence across the country, whereas a state party's influence is largely confined to a single state or a few states. To be recognized as a national party, one of the conditions is to be recognized as a state party in at least four states. This is not required for a state party.
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Lok Sabha Election Performance Criteria: The performance requirements in Lok Sabha elections differ significantly. A national party must win at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from at least three different states. In contrast, a state party can gain recognition by winning just one seat in the Lok Sabha for every 25 seats allotted to that particular state.
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Vote Share Requirements: The criteria for vote share also highlight the difference in scale. To be a national party, a party must secure at least 6% of valid votes in any four or more states in a General Election to the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly, in addition to winning four Lok Sabha seats. For a state party, the requirement is to secure 6% of valid votes polled in that specific state's Legislative Assembly election and win at least two seats, or secure 6% of votes in the Lok Sabha election from that state and win one seat.
Q5Questions and activities
Why should you vote? Arrange the following in the descending order of your choice. Discuss the reasons for your choice. a. Opportunity to choose my representative b. Makes me a responsible person c. Opportunity to change the non-performing representative d. Strengthens democracy
Solution
Voting is a fundamental aspect of a democratic society. Based on the principles discussed in the chapter, the reasons for voting can be arranged in the following descending order of importance:
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d. Strengthens democracy: This is the most significant reason. The chapter explains that elections are the 'soul of democracy'. When citizens vote, they participate in the democratic process, giving it legitimacy and strength. A high voter turnout reflects a healthy, engaged citizenry, which is essential for a robust democracy.
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a. Opportunity to choose my representative: This is a direct outcome of voting. Elections provide the mechanism for citizens to select individuals who will represent their interests and voice their concerns in the legislature. This act of choosing is the core of representative democracy.
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c. Opportunity to change the non-performing representative: This reason is directly linked to accountability, a key feature of democracy. The power to vote is also the power to remove representatives who have not performed their duties effectively. This ensures that elected officials remain answerable to the people.
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b. Makes me a responsible person: While voting is a personal act that fulfills a civic duty, its primary importance lies in its collective impact on the political system. The chapter describes voting as both a 'right' and a 'responsibility'. Fulfilling this responsibility contributes to the larger goals of strengthening democracy and ensuring good governance, making it a consequence of the other, more foundational reasons.
Q6Questions and activities
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative of the ECI? Explain the objectives and the necessity of conducting SIR.
Solution
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an initiative by the Election Commission of India (ECI) that involves the comprehensive updating, verification, and correction of electoral rolls.
Objectives of SIR:
The primary objectives of the SIR are to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the electoral roll. This is achieved by:
- Ensuring Inclusivity: To make sure that no eligible citizen is left out of the electoral roll. This is particularly focused on adding young voters who have just turned 18 and may not be aware of the registration process.
- Ensuring Accuracy: To remove all ineligible persons from the electoral roll. This involves deleting the names of deceased voters, those who have permanently changed their residence, and removing duplicate entries.
- Providing an Opportunity for Correction: To give citizens a chance to raise claims or objections against the revised electoral roll, which are then settled by the ECI before the final roll is published.
Necessity of SIR:
The SIR is necessary to maintain a clean and credible electoral roll, which is the foundation of a free and fair election. Without a regular and intensive revision process, the rolls could become outdated and inaccurate due to population shifts, deaths, and new citizens reaching voting age. An inaccurate roll could lead to the disenfranchisement of eligible voters or the inclusion of fraudulent votes, which would undermine the fairness and legitimacy of the election. Therefore, SIR is essential for upholding the democratic principle that only eligible citizens are allowed to vote.
Q7Questions and activities
Match the political party name with its symbol. [Table with party names and symbol images]
Solution
Based on the images of the symbols provided in the table, the correct matches are as follows:
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): Broom
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): Lotus
- Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): Elephant
- Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)]: Hammer, Sickle and Star
- Indian National Congress (INC): Hand
- National People's Party (NPP): Book
Q8Questions and activities
Read the case study below and answer the following questions. Ishani and her mother were in the local market, day before the state assembly elections. She noticed wall writing and campaign posters pasted everywhere. Large groups of campaigners were distributing pamphlets and raising slogans in support of the respective candidates. Ishani has turned 18 and will be voting for the first time. She had registered to vote through the ECI's online portal. The next morning, she, along with her mother and her disabled elder brother, went to the polling station, which was well guarded by the police personnel. A wheelchair was made available to them, and volunteers guided them to the polling booth. Inside the polling booth, there were only three people who were performing all duties. Ishani had forgotten her voter ID card and Aadhaar card, but her identity was verified with an alternative document. After casting her vote, she was also able to see the VVPAT slip. While leaving, she wondered how the police personnel vote, as they must be on duty from early morning till late evening. When she went home, she narrated her entire experience to her 89-year-old grandmother, who cast her vote from home. a. What initiatives were taken by the ECI to enable the voters to cast their vote? b. If Ishani was allowed to vote even without carrying her Voter ID card or Aadhaar card, which other document might she be carrying that is valid for voting? c. Cite the examples of violations of the Model Code of Conduct. d. Give a suitable title to the passage. e. Find out how the police and army personnel cast their votes.
Solution
a. The case study highlights several initiatives by the ECI to enable voters:
* Online Voter Registration: Ishani registered to vote through the ECI's online portal.
* Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities: A wheelchair was made available for her disabled elder brother.
* Voting from Home: Her 89-year-old grandmother was able to cast her vote from home, an initiative for senior citizens.
* Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT): Ishani was able to see the VVPAT slip, which enhances transparency and voter confidence.
* Alternative Identity Documents: Voters like Ishani could vote using an alternative document if they forgot their voter ID.
b. The passage states that Ishani's identity was verified with 'an alternative document' but does not specify which one. The chapter text does not list these alternative documents.
c. The case study mentions that the 'day before the state assembly elections', there was 'wall writing and campaign posters pasted everywhere' and 'Large groups of campaigners were distributing pamphlets and raising slogans'. This active campaigning likely constitutes a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, which typically imposes a 'silence period' of 48 hours before polling ends, during which such public campaigning is prohibited.
d. A suitable title for the passage would be "An Inclusive and Modern Election Day Experience" or "A First-Time Voter's Journey".
e. The chapter explains that personnel on election duty, such as police and army personnel, are classified as 'service voters'. They can cast their votes using the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS). This system allows them to receive a postal ballot electronically and cast their vote from their location of duty, ensuring they are not deprived of their voting rights.
Q9Questions and activities
A comparative chart of three countries is given below. Based on the information given in the chart, answer the questions. [Table comparing Political and Economic Dimensions of Country A, B, and C] a. What is the difference between having a voting right in a country with a multi-party system and another with a single-party system? b. In which of the above countries would you like to stay and why?
Solution
a. The fundamental difference between having a voting right in a multi-party system (Country A) and a single-party system (Country B) lies in the element of meaningful choice.
- In Country A (multi-party system), the right to vote allows citizens to choose from various political parties, each presenting different viewpoints, policies, and candidates. This competition of ideas helps voters make informed choices and ensures that the government is more representative of the diverse population, as explained in the chapter.
- In Country B (single-party system), although citizens may have the right to vote, the choice is severely limited or non-existent. Voters can only approve the candidate from the single ruling party. This makes the election a formality rather than a genuine process of selecting representatives, diminishing the democratic value of the vote.
b. I would like to stay in Country A. The reason is that Country A has a political system that aligns with the core principles of democracy discussed in the chapter. It has a multi-party system which, as the text suggests, reflects diversity and provides voters with genuine choices. This allows for public engagement, accountability, and the ability to choose and change representatives. While Country C may have a high standard of living, its monarchical system with no voting rights or political parties denies citizens the fundamental democratic right to participate in their own governance. Country B, with its single-party system, offers no real political choice. Therefore, Country A provides the best environment for exercising democratic rights and ensuring a representative government.
Q10Questions and activities
What are the challenges to conducting free and fair elections?
Solution
According to the chapter, conducting free and fair elections in a vast and diverse country like India faces several challenges. These challenges can undermine the integrity of the electoral process. The main challenges mentioned in the text and depicted in Figure 7.13 are:
- Misinformation and Fake News: The spread of false or misleading information to influence voters' opinions and choices.
- Hate Speech: Using inflammatory language during campaigns to create social divisions and polarize the electorate.
- Money Power: The excessive and often illegal use of money by candidates and parties to influence voters, for example, through bribery or inducements.
- Muscle Power (Intimidation): The use of threats, coercion, or physical force to intimidate voters or political opponents, preventing them from voting freely.
The chapter notes that the Election Commission of India (ECI) addresses these challenges through legal frameworks like the Representation of the People Acts (1950 and 1951), the Model Code of Conduct, technological tools like EVMs and VVPATs, and voter awareness campaigns.
Q11Questions and activities
On the Stage. Elections are to be held in your school for the posts of Head Girl, Head Boy, and Sports Captain. Assume the roles of an Election Commissioner, Returning Officer, Polling Agent, Candidate, Campaigner, Polling Officer, Police Personnel, and a Journalist, and perform their roles while ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.
Solution
To conduct a free, fair, and transparent school election, students assuming different roles should perform the following duties, modeled on the functions described in the chapter:
- Election Commissioner: The student in this role will oversee the entire election process. They will announce the election schedule, create the rules (Model Code of Conduct for school), register candidates, and have the final say in any disputes. Their main goal is to ensure fairness and impartiality.
- Returning Officer: This student will be in charge of a specific 'constituency' (e.g., a particular grade level). They will accept and scrutinize nomination forms from candidates, supervise the polling process in their area, oversee vote counting, and declare the winner for their constituency.
- Polling Agent: Appointed by a candidate, this student will sit at the polling booth to ensure that the voting process is fair and no one is impersonating a voter. They will watch the Polling Officers and can challenge any suspected malpractice.
- Candidate: Students running for a post will prepare a manifesto with their promises (e.g., better sports equipment, more extracurricular activities). They must follow the rules set by the Election Commissioner and campaign ethically.
- Campaigner: Supporters of a candidate who will help spread the candidate's message. They can make posters and speak to fellow students but must avoid negative campaigning or breaking school election rules.
- Polling Officer: These students will manage the polling booth. They will check student IDs against the voter list (electoral roll), mark the voter's finger with ink, issue the ballot paper, and ensure voting secrecy.
- Police Personnel: Students in this role will maintain order at the polling station, ensure that no one is campaigning near the booth, and manage queues to prevent any chaos, ensuring a peaceful election.
- Journalist: This student will report on the election. They will interview candidates, report on campaign events, observe the polling process, and write an article about the election results, highlighting whether it was conducted fairly.
Q12Questions and activities
Try and make videos or audios on topics like: My Vote My Nation; No Voter to be Left Behind; How to Eliminate the Ill of Money Power, etc.
Solution
Here is a conceptual guide for creating videos or audios on the suggested topics, using ideas from the chapter:
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My Vote My Nation:
- Concept: This video/audio can emphasize that a single vote is a powerful tool for nation-building.
- Content: It could feature a montage of diverse Indian citizens (young, old, urban, rural). The narration can explain that voting is not just a right but a responsibility, as mentioned in the chapter. It can connect voting to strengthening democracy, choosing leaders who will work on national security, the economy, and social welfare. The video can end with the Voters' Pledge: "We, the citizens of India... pledge to uphold the democratic traditions of our country..."
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No Voter to be Left Behind:
- Concept: This video should highlight the ECI's inclusivity initiatives.
- Content: Show visuals of the ECI's efforts mentioned in the chapter: an elderly person voting from home, a person with a disability using a wheelchair ramp at a polling station, an EVM with Braille, and an official explaining the ETPBS to a service voter's family. The narrative can focus on how these measures ensure that every single citizen, regardless of age, disability, or location, has an equal voice.
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How to Eliminate the Ill of Money Power:
- Concept: An investigative-style audio or video explaining the challenge of money power and how to combat it.
- Content: It could start by defining 'Money Power' as a major challenge to free and fair elections, as shown in Figure 7.13. It can explain how it manifests as bribery or undue influence. The solution part can highlight the role of the ECI in enforcing spending limits and the Model Code of Conduct. The video can end with a call to action for citizens: to be vigilant, to reject any form of inducement, and to vote based on conscience and merit, not on material gain, echoing the spirit of the Voters' Pledge.
Q13Questions and activities
Select one national or state political party. Using authentic and reliable sources such as the Election Commission of India (ECI) website, the official website of the selected political party, and newspapers. Prepare a comparative chart of the last two State Legislative Assembly elections. The chart should include the following details for the chosen party: a. Some promises made in the Election manifesto b. Percentage of votes polled c. Number of seats won d. Number of women who contested e. Number of women candidates elected Present the data for both elections in a clear and comparative format, citing all sources used.
Solution
This is a research-based activity. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to complete it effectively, following the question's requirements:
Step 1: Choose a Party and Elections
Select one national party (e.g., Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress) or a state party from your state. Identify the last two State Legislative Assembly elections held in your state (e.g., 2017 and 2022 in Uttar Pradesh).
Step 2: Gather Information from Reliable Sources
- Election Manifestos (for promises): Visit the official website of the political party you chose. Look for their manifestos for the two election years. Note down 3-4 key promises from each manifesto, especially in areas like education, health, and economy.
- ECI Website (for data): Visit the Election Commission of India's website (eci.gov.in). Navigate to the 'Statistical Reports' section for Legislative Assembly elections. Find the reports for your state for the two election years. From these reports, you can find the percentage of votes polled by the party, the number of seats it won, and data on women candidates.
- Newspapers and News Archives (for context): Use online news archives to understand the context of the promises and the election outcomes.
Step 3: Create a Comparative Chart
Organize the collected data in a table for easy comparison. The format should be as follows:
Comparative Analysis of [Party Name] in the [State Name] Legislative Assembly Elections
| Parameter | Election Year 1 [e.g., 2017] | Election Year 2 [e.g., 2022] |
|---|---|---|
| a. Key Manifesto Promises | - Promise 1 (e.g., Farm loan waiver) |
- Promise 2 (e.g., Laptops for students)
- Promise 3 (e.g., 24/7 electricity) | - Promise 1 (e.g., Free public transport for women)
- Promise 2 (e.g., Creation of 1 million jobs)
- Promise 3 (e.g., Subsidized gas cylinders) | | b. Percentage of Votes Polled | [Enter % from ECI data] | [Enter % from ECI data] | | c. Number of Seats Won | [Enter number from ECI data] | [Enter number from ECI data] | | d. Number of Women Who Contested | [Enter number from ECI data] | [Enter number from ECI data] | | e. Number of Women Candidates Elected| [Enter number from ECI data] | [Enter number from ECI data] |
Step 4: Cite Your Sources
At the bottom of your chart, list all the sources you used. For example:
- Sources:
- Official Website of [Party Name] (link to manifestos)
- Election Commission of India, Statistical Report on General Election, [Year], to the Legislative Assembly of [State] (link to report)
- [Name of Newspaper], [Date of Article], (link to article)
Q14Questions and activities
Do you think 'One Nation, One Election' can improve the efficiency of the electoral process? Divide the class and discuss into two groups-one to examine its potential advantages and the other to analyse its limitations.
Solution
This question requires a debate. Based on the chapter's content, here are the arguments for and against 'One Nation, One Election'.
Group 1: Arguments FOR 'One Nation, One Election' (Potential Advantages)
- Improved Efficiency and Reduced Cost: The chapter highlights the massive scale of Indian elections, requiring a well-organized system and robust machinery. Holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and all State Assemblies would mean this massive exercise is conducted only once every five years, saving immense public money, administrative effort, and security forces' time.
- Focus on Governance: The chapter notes that the ECI must consider many factors (weather, exams, festivals) when deciding schedules. Frequent elections mean the Model Code of Conduct is in force in some part of the country for long periods, which can stall development projects and policy decisions. Simultaneous elections would allow governments to focus on governance for a continuous five-year term without being in constant 'election mode'.
- Increased Voter Turnout: A single election event might create greater voter awareness and enthusiasm, potentially leading to higher turnout, thus strengthening democracy.
Group 2: Arguments AGAINST 'One Nation, One Election' (Limitations and Challenges)
- Overlooking Local Issues: The chapter explains that political parties present their agenda on issues of local, state, and national concern. If elections are held simultaneously, national issues might dominate the narrative, overshadowing important state-level and local issues. This could be detrimental to India's federal structure and diverse regional interests.
- Logistical Nightmare: The chapter emphasizes the complexity of conducting elections in India with over 96.8 crore voters. Synchronizing elections would require a massive number of EVMs, VVPATs, and polling staff at the same time, which would be an unprecedented logistical challenge for the ECI.
- Reduced Accountability: Frequent elections ensure that politicians and parties have to regularly go back to the people. This acts as a constant check on their performance. With elections only once in five years, the accountability of governments to the citizens might be reduced in the interim period.
- Constitutional and Federal Challenges: Implementing this would require significant constitutional amendments, particularly regarding the fixed term of legislatures. It raises questions about what happens if a government loses its majority mid-term. Dissolving a state assembly prematurely would disrupt the synchronized cycle, undermining the entire purpose.