📘 Chapter 3 – Electoral Politics
Subject: Civics (Political Science) | Class: 9 CBSE
Textbook: Democratic Politics – I
✍️ DETAILED NOTES
🔹 3.1 Why Elections?
- In a democracy, people cannot rule directly in large communities.
- Elections are essential to select representatives who will make decisions on behalf of the people.
- Elections give people a mechanism to choose or change their representatives and governments.
- Example: 1987 Haryana Elections – Devi Lal’s party (Lok Dal) won due to public dissatisfaction with the ruling party and his promise to waive loans of small farmers.
🔹 3.2 What Makes an Election Democratic?
- Equal participation – one vote per person with equal value.
- Real choice – multiple parties and candidates must be free to contest.
- Regular elections – held every 5 years.
- People’s preference wins – candidate with most votes wins.
- Free and fair conduct – no fraud or coercion.
🔹 3.3 Political Competition
Merits:
- Holds parties accountable.
- Reflects people’s preferences.
Demerits:
- Leads to dirty politics, accusations, and violence.
- Discourages good candidates.
🔹 3.4 Our System of Elections
- Lok Sabha elections: 543 constituencies.
- Vidhan Sabha (State): MLAs elected from assembly constituencies.
- Each constituency = 1 representative = 1 seat.
🔹 Reserved Constituencies
Certain constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs to ensure their representation. This system exists in Parliament and local bodies.
🔹 Voters’ List (Electoral Roll)
- Updated list of all eligible voters (18+).
- Voter ID (EPIC) issued but not compulsory.
- Universal Adult Franchise: Every adult has the right to vote.
🔹 Nomination of Candidates
- Any citizen aged 25+ can contest elections.
- Must submit a nomination form and security deposit.
- Must disclose criminal records, assets, liabilities, and educational qualifications.
🔹 Election Campaign
- Duration: Two weeks before polling.
- Laws and Model Code of Conduct:
- No bribery or threats.
- No religious/caste appeals.
- No use of government resources.
🔹 Polling and Counting of Votes
- Voters go to polling booths.
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are used.
- Votes are counted and results declared.
🔹 Role of Election Commission (EC)
- Independent and powerful body.
- Appointed by President but works independently.
- Enforces Model Code of Conduct, transfers officials, and orders repolls.
🔹 Popular Participation
- Higher voter turnout in India than many developed countries.
- Poor and underprivileged vote more than the rich.
🔹 Acceptance of Election Outcome
- Ruling parties often lose elections.
- Defeated parties accept results – sign of a healthy democracy.
🔹 Challenges to Free and Fair Elections
- Money power, criminal candidates, dynastic politics.
- Parties offering similar promises reduce real choice.
📚 EXERCISE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1: Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false?
Answer: Statement (c) is false – "Elections enable people to evaluate the performance of the judiciary."
Q2: Which of these is not a good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic?
Answer: (a) India has the largest number of voters in the world – This is not a reason for calling elections democratic.
Q3: Match the following:
a → iv
b → i
c → ii
d → iii
b → i
c → ii
d → iii
Q4: List all election-related activities in a time sequence.
1. Making of voters’ list
2. Announcing election schedule
3. Filing nominations
4. Releasing election manifestos
5. Election campaign
6. Casting of votes
7. Ordering of re-poll (if needed)
8. Counting of votes
9. Declaration of election results
2. Announcing election schedule
3. Filing nominations
4. Releasing election manifestos
5. Election campaign
6. Casting of votes
7. Ordering of re-poll (if needed)
8. Counting of votes
9. Declaration of election results
Q5: What should Surekha focus on in these stages?
a. Election campaign: Monitor expenses, fairness, no hate speech or bribery.
b. Polling day: Security, proper voter identification, no bogus voting.
c. Counting day: Transparent counting, presence of party agents.
b. Polling day: Security, proper voter identification, no bogus voting.
c. Counting day: Transparent counting, presence of party agents.
Q6: Should there be reservations in the US Congress?
Answer: Yes, for Blacks and Hispanics who are underrepresented in comparison to their population.
Q7: Can we draw these conclusions?
a. ❌ False – EC has enormous powers.
b. ✅ True – Poor and disadvantaged participate more.
c. ❌ False – Ruling parties often lose.
d. ✅ True – More reforms are still needed.
b. ✅ True – Poor and disadvantaged participate more.
c. ❌ False – Ruling parties often lose.
d. ✅ True – More reforms are still needed.
Q8: Chinappa and Satbir barred from contesting. Is this against democracy?
Answer: No. Criminals being barred maintains the integrity of elections and democracy.
Q9: Suggest reforms for each case:
a. Nigeria – Independent election body, EVMs.
b. Fiji – Ban hate campaigns, ensure voter safety.
c. USA – Uniform voting laws in all states.
b. Fiji – Ban hate campaigns, ensure voter safety.
c. USA – Uniform voting laws in all states.
Q10: Identify problems and solutions:
a. Minister's promise – Violation of Model Code.
b. Media bias – Equal coverage must be ensured.
c. Fake voters – Conduct voter list verification.
d. Violence – Ensure security and punish offenders.
b. Media bias – Equal coverage must be ensured.
c. Fake voters – Conduct voter list verification.
d. Violence – Ensure security and punish offenders.
Q11: Ramesh’s misconceptions corrected:
a. ❌ Women vote independently.
b. ❌ Elections must have competition for choice.
c. ❌ No education bar in democracy. All citizens can contest.
b. ❌ Elections must have competition for choice.
c. ❌ No education bar in democracy. All citizens can contest.