NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Social Science Civics Chapter 3 Electoral Politics are available to assist students in preparing for the CBSE exams. These solutions, prepared by our subject experts, provide comprehensive answers to the exercise questions. Students can rely on these solutions to effectively study for the Social Science exam and write the same answers.
1. 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.
Ans. Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary.
2. Which of these is not a good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic?
a. India has the largest number of voters in the world.
b. India’s Election Commission is very powerful.
c. In India, everyone above the age of 18 has a right to vote.
d. In India, the losing parties accept the electoral verdict.
Ans. India has the largest number of voters in the world.
3. Match the following :
| a. It is necessary to keep the voters list up to date because | there is a fair representation of all sections of our society |
| b. Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that | everyone has an equal opportunity to elect their representative |
| c. Everyone has one and only one vote so that | all candidates must have a fair chance of competing in elections |
| d. Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicles because | some people may have moved away from the area where they voted last |
Ans.
| a. It is necessary to keep the voters list up to date because | Some people may have moved away from the area where they voted last |
| b. Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs so that | There is a fair representation of all sections of our society |
| c. Everyone has one and only one vote so that | Everyone has an equal opportunity to elect their representative |
| d. Party in power is not allowed to use government vehicles because | All candidates must have a fair chance of competing in elections |
4. List all the different election-related activities mentioned in the chapter and arrange them in a time sequence, beginning with the first activity and ending with the last. Some of these activities are given below:
releasing election manifestos; counting of votes; making of voters’ list; election campaign; declaration of election results; the casting of votes; ordering of re-poll; announcing the election schedule; filing nominations.
Ans.
- Making of Voters’ List
- Announcing Election Schedule
- Releasing Election Manifesto
- Election Campaign
- Filing Nomination
- Casting of Votes
- Ordering of Re-poll
- Counting of Votes
- Declaration of Election Results
5. 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 the election:
a. Election campaign
b. Polling day
c. Counting day
Ans.
a. Election Campaign
- Ensure law and order
- Combat the influence of muscle and money power
- Monitor candidate expenditure limits
- Prohibit promotion based on religion, caste, or gender
b. Polling Day
- Verify the voters’ list
- Verify voters’ identification
- Prevent booth capturing
- Ensure impartial and transparent elections
c. Counting Day
- Maintain fair counting procedures
- Prevent vote rigging
6. The table below gives the proportion of different communities among the candidates who won elections to the US Congress. Compare these to the proportion of these communities in the population of the US. Based on this, would you suggest a system of reservations in the US Congress? If yes, why and for which communities? If no, why not?
Ans. Yes, it is important to have a system of reservation in the US Congress for Hispanics and Blacks. The representation of these communities in the US Congress is significantly lower compared to Whites, who make up the majority population in the country.
7. 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.
Ans.
a. No, The conclusion that the Election Commission cannot be drawn is incorrect due to the following reasons:
- The Election Commission is responsible for releasing the code of conduct for elections and has the authority to penalize those who violate it.
- During elections, the election in-charge operates under the authority of the Election Commission of India, not the government.
b. Yes,
- Voter turnout has soared in the past few years
- There has been an increase in people’s participation in election-related activities
c. No,
- The ruling party in one election loses power in the next
- Despite a lot of expenditure in the election campaign, candidates lose
d. Yes,
- Reforms will make it easier for small parties to face no major challenge in fighting an election
- To stop candidates’ facing criminal charges from running an election
8. 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?
Ans. No, the decision to disqualify both Chinappa and Satbir from contesting elections due to their criminal activities is completely fair. As per the rules of elections, individuals with a criminal background are prohibited from participating in the electoral process. Therefore, the verdict is just and in line with the established regulations.
9. 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 favor of another.
Ans. It would be beneficial for Nigeria to adopt the practice followed in India, where the representatives of each participating party are present on the vote-counting day.
b. Just before elections in Fiji, a pamphlet was distributed warning voters that a vote for former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry will lead to bloodshed. This was a threat to voters of Indian origin.
Ans. In Fiji, it is recommended that the election commission establish an enquiry committee to investigate cases of negative propaganda during elections. Parties or candidates found to be involved in such activities should face disqualification from the election.
c. In the US, each state has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting, and its own authority for conducting elections. Authorities in the state of Florida took many controversial decisions that favored Mr. Bush in the presidential elections in 2000. But no one could change those decisions.
Ans. The United States could consider the establishment of a centralized Election Commission that formulates election rules for all states. This would ensure consistency and fairness in the electoral process throughout the country.
10. 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 the 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 state contain names of 20 lakh fake voters.
d. The hoodlums of a political party were moving with guns, physically preventing supporters of other political parties to meet the voters and attacking meetings of other parties.
Ans.
a. The Election Commission should address the issue with the minister as the candidate’s announcement of promises during the election violates the code of conduct that they are required to adhere to.
b. The Election Commission has a responsibility to ensure equitable and unbiased representation for all political parties in government-owned media.
c. In light of the presence of fake votes, the Election Commission should consider announcing re-elections as it indicates potential vote-rigging.
d. The Election Commission should take strict action, including banning the party, as the use of muscle power and money power is a clear violation of electoral laws.
11. 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.
Ans.
a. The secret-ballot system allows individuals, including women, to exercise their right to vote based on their own preferences and choices.
b. Competition plays a vital role in driving candidates to strive for improvement and work diligently for the betterment of society. Therefore, encouraging competition in elections is crucial.
c. While educational qualifications are important, they should not be the sole determining factor for a candidate’s understanding of the social needs of the people. It should be considered fair if individuals who are not graduates decide to run for an election, as their experiences and perspectives can also contribute to effective representation.