Important Notes:

–  President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India. 

– The minimum age must be 25 years, who can contest for Lok Sabha in India.

– Voters’ Day is celebrated on 25th January.

– Voters’ list is officially known as Electoral Roll.

– Currently, in the Lok Sabha, 79 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Castes. (SCs) 

– The number of Lok Sabha constituencies at present is 543.

– Uttar Pradesh is the largest Legislative Assembly   in India. 

 – One third of the total seats are reserved in rural and urban local bodies for women candidates.

  • Garibi Hatao – Congress Party
  • Land to tiller – Left front  
  • Protect the self respect of Telugu’s – Telugu Democratic Party
  • Save Democracy – Janata Party

General election : Election held after every five year is termed as general election. 

By Elections:  When elections are held only for one constituency to fill the vacancy caused by death or resignation of a member. This is called By Elections.

Code of Conduct for election: A set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political parties and contesting candidates during election time is known as Code of Conduct. 

Voters’ List: In a democratic election the list of those who are eligible to vote is prepared much before the elections and given to everyone. This list is officially called the ‘Electoral Roll’ and is commonly known as ‘Voters’ List’. 

Voters: People who have the right to vote or participate in the election of representatives are known as voters. 

Electoral Constituencies: The country is divided into different areas for purposes of elections. These areas are called electoral constituencies. 

Important Questions

1. When does the by-election occur?

Answer: When any vacancy occurs due to death or resignation of a candidate, election becomes necessary and it is known as by-election. 

2. What is a Democratic Election? 

Answer: Election should be conducted in a free and fair manner where people can choose as they really wish and this type of election is known as Democratic Election.

3. How does a person file nomination papers?

Answer: Every person who wishes to contest elections has to fill a ‘nomination form’ and give some money as ‘security deposit’. This is how nomination papers are filed. 

4. Why has personal information of a candidate to be made public?

Answer: This information needs to be made public as it provides an opportunity to the voters to make their decisions on the basis of the information provided by the candidates.

5. Give any two demerits of Electoral Competition.

Answer: (i) It creates a sense of disunity and factionalism in every locality.
(ii) Different political parties and leaders often level allegations against one another. 

6. Give any two merits of Electoral Competition.

Answer: (i) Political leaders all over the world, like all other professionals are motivated by desire to advance their political careers.
(ii) They want to come in power and retain positions for themselves. So they do their best to win the hearts of people. 

7. How are general elections held in India?

Answer: For Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections are held after every five years. After five years the term of all the elected representatives comes to an end. This is called general elections. They are held in all constituencies at the same time.

8. What choices are given to a voter during elections?

Answer:(i) They can choose who will make laws for them. (ii) They can choose who will form the government and take major decisions. (iii) They can choose the party whose policies will guide the government and law-making. 

9. What makes an election democratic?

Answer:  There are as follows
(i) Election must be held regularly at every few years.
(ii) Every eligible voter must have one vote with equal value.
(iii) There should be more than one party, so that voters can get some real choice.
(iv) Elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner and people should have full freedom to vote for any candidate they like. 

10. Mention any three powers and functions of the Election Commission of India.

Answer: Powers and Functions of Election Commission of India:

(i) To conduct and control the elections.

(ii) To implement the code of conduct.

(iii) To order the government to follow guidelines.

(iv) To prevent use and misuse of government machinery at the time of election.

11. What is a Model Code of Conduct for election campaigns?

Answer: (i) No party or candidate can use any place of worship for election propaganda.
(ii) No party or candidate can use government vehicles, aircraft and officials for elections.
(iii) Once elections are announced, ministers shall not lay foundation stones of any projects, take any big policy decision or make any promises of providing public facilities.