Electoral Politics

Class IXChapter-3Electoral Politics

Q1.Why do we need Elections?

Ans. Elections are a must in a democratic country because of the following reasons :-

a)A rule of the people is possible without any elections if all the people can sit together every day and take all the decisions, but this is not possible in any large community.

b)Nor is it possible for everyone to have the time and knowledge to take decisions on all matters. Therefore in most democracies people rule through their representatives, who are elected through elections.

Q2.Why elections are considered essential in our times for any representative democracy?

Ans. Elections are considered  essential in our times for any representative  democracy because :-

a)They can choose who will make laws for them.

b)They can choose who will form the government and take major decisions.

c)They can choose the party whose policies will guide the government and law making.

Q3.What makes an election democratic?

Ans. a)First, everyone should be able to choose. This means that everyone should have one vote and every vote should have an equal value.

b)Second, there should be something to choose from. Parties and candidates should be free to contest elections and should offer some real choice to voters.

c)Third, to choice  should be afforded at regular intervals. Elections must be held regularly after few years.

d)Fourth, the candidate preferred by the people should get elected.    

e)Fifth, elections should be conducted in a free and fair manner when people can choose as they really wish.

Q4. Is it good to have political competition?

Ans. 1)Elections are all about political competition. This competition takes various forms, the most obvious form is the competition among political parties.

2)At the constituency  level it takes the forms of competition among several candidates.

3)sometimes, this competition turns into a personality race among the top leaders of various political parties.

4)Elections also led to various competition among various politics and ideologies.

Q5.what are the demerits of electoral competition?

Ans.(i)It creates a sense of disunity and factionalism in every locality.

(ii) Different political parties and leaders often level allegations against one another.

(iii)Parties and candidates often use dirty tricks to win elections.

(iv)The pressure to win electoral fights does not allow sensible long-term policies to be formulated.

(v)Some good people who may wish to serve the country do not enter this arena. They do not like the idea of being dragged into unhealthy competition.

Q6.What is general election?

Ans.Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) elections are held regularly after every 5 years. After five years, the term of all the representatives comes to an end. The Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha stands dissolved. Elections are held in all constituencies at the same time either on the same day or within a few days. This is called a General Elections.

Q7. Define electoral constituency.

Ans. In our country we follow an area based system of representation. The country is divided into different areas for purpose of elections. These areas are called electoral politics. The who lived in an area elects one representatives for Lok Sabha elections, the country is divided into 543 constituencies.

Q8.What do you mean by ’By Election’?

Ans.  Sometimes elections is held for one constituency to fill the vacancy caused by death or resignation of a member. This is called ‘By Election’ .

Q9.Define reserved constituency? Why did India introduce this system?

Ans. When a constituency is reserved for people who belong to the Scheduled Cast (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) only. Such a constituency is called Reserved constituency.

1)The constitution makers, were worried that in an open electoral competition, certain weaker sections may not stand a good chance to get elected to the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.

2)They may not have the required resources, education and contacts to contest and win elections against others.

3)Those who are influential and resourceful may prevent them from winning elections. If that happens, our parliament and assemblies would be deprived of the voice of significant section of our population.

4)In that case our democracy would be less representative and less democratic.

Q10.How many seats are reserved for SC and ST in Lok Sabha Currently?

Ans. Currently, in the Lok Sabha 84 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Cates and 41 for Scheduled Tribes. This number is in proportions to their share in the total population.

Q11.What proportions of seats are reserved for woman candidate?

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

Q12.What do you mean by electoral roll?

Ans. Once the constituencies are decided, the next step is to decide who can and who cannot vote. This decision cannot be left to anyone till the last day.  In a democratic election, the list those who eligible to vote is prepared much before the election and given to everyone .This list is officially called the Electoral Roll and commonly known as the Voter’s List.

Q13.What do mean by Universal Adult Franchise?

Ans. It means that everyone should have one vote and each vote should have equal value. No one shuld be denied the right to vote without a good reason.

Q14.Why is the principle of Universal Adult Franchise practised in democracy?

Ans.1) Different citizens have differ from one another in many ways : Some are rich, some are poor ; Some are highly educated, some are not so educated; some are kind, others are not so kind. But all of them are the human beings with their own needs and views.

2)Hence, the principle is applied so that everyone gets an equal opportunity to choose the representatives. All of them deserve to have an equal say in decisions that affect them.

Q15.Name the people who have the right to vote in India and the person be denied the right to vote.

Ans. In our country, Aged 18 years and above can vote in an election. Every citizen has the right to vote, regardless of his/her caste, religion or gender .Some criminals and persons with unsound mind can be denied the right to vote but only in rare situations.

Q16.What is EPIC?

Ans. 1)In the last few years a new section of Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) has been introduced. The government has tried to give this card to every person on the voter’s list.

2)The voters are required to carry this card when they go out to vote, so that no one can vote for someone else.

3)But the card id not yet compulsory for voting. For voting, the voters can show many other proofs of identity like the ration card or the driving licence.

Q17.What is the new system of declaration introduced by the supreme country?

Ans. Every candidate have to make legal declaration, giving full details of:

·         Serious criminal cases pending against the candidate;

·         Details of assets and liabilities of the candidate and his/her family; and

·         Educational qualifications of the candidates.

This information has to be made public. This provides an opportunity to the voters to make their decision on the basis of the information provided by the candidates.

Q18. Write a short note on election campaign in our country.

Ans. 1)In our country such campaigns take place for a two-week period between the announcement of the final list of the candidates and the date of polling.

2)During these two weeks the candidates contact their voters, political leaders address election meetings and political parties mobilise their supporters.

3) This is also the period when the newspapers and television news are full of election related stories and debates.

4)But election campaign is not limited to these two weeks only. Political parties start preparing for elections month before they actually take place.

5)In election campaigns, political parties try to focus the public attention on some big issues. They want to attract the public to that issue and get them to vote for their party on that basis.

Q19.What restrictions have been imposed on parties or candidates, according to our election laws?

Ans. According to our election laws, no party or an candidate can:

1)Bribe or threaten voters;

2)Appeal to them in the name of caste or religion;

3)Use government resources for election campaign; and

4)Spend more than 25 lakhs in a constituency for Lok Sabha election or 10 lakh in a constituency in an assembly election.

Q20.What is the provisions of Model Code Conduct?

Ans. According to Model Code Conduct no party or candidate can:

1)Use any place for worship for election propaganda.

2)Use government vehicles, aircraft and officials for elections; and

3)Once elections are announced, ministers shall not lay foundations stones for any new projects, take any big policy decisions or make any promises of providing public facilities.

Q21.Most candidates are fielded from political parties? Why?

Ans. Most candidates fielded from political parties because party candidates enjoy certain advantages over independent candidates.

(i)When a candidates is fielded by political party, it is sure for the voters to know what they are voting for.

(ii)Morden elections are a complex issue. It needs a well-oiled machinery to manage and organise it. Individual cannot mobilise vast resources for such elections. Parties are in position to do this.

(iii)Electioneering  means campaigning in various forms as well as in different parts of constituency. An individual  can’t manage but a party can do so.

(iv)Political parties have heavy weight and dynamic leaders, who are mass pullers. Independent candidates have no such advantage.

(v)In a word, political parties enjoy all these, necessary resources and facilities to conduct elections. That is why every individual tries its best to get a ticket from political party.

Q22.”It is said that elections are barometer of democracy”. Explain.

Ans. Elections, indeed are the barometer of democracy because of the following reasons:-

1)It is through elections alone that voters express their opinion.

2)It is also through elections that the people’s representatives are identified.

3)Elections help in maintaining  a close watch and effective control over the executive.

Q23.Mention some of the unfair practices used in elections?

Ans. 1)Inclusion of false names and exclusion of genuine names in the voter’s list.

2)The use of government facilities and officials by ruling parties.

3)Excessive use of money by rich candidates and big parties; and

4)Intimation of voters  and rigging on the polling day.

Q24.What is Ballot Paper?

Ans. A ballot paper is a sheet of paper on which the names of the contesting along with party names and symbols are listed.

Q25.What is EVM?

Ans. It is an electronic voting machines which is used to record votes. The machine shows the names of the candidates and the party symbols.

All the voters has to do this to press the button against the name of the candidate he/she wants to give his/her vote.

Q26.”Very few election commission in the world have such wide-raging powers as the Election Commission of India”. Explain.

Ans.1)EC takes the decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections from the announcement of elections to the results .

2)It implements the code of conduct and punishes any candidate or party that violates it.

3)During election period, the EC can order the government to follow some guidelines, to prevent use and misuse of governmental power to enhance its chance to win elections, or to transfer some government officials.

4)When on election duty, government officers work under the control of the EC and not the government.

Q27.What does the outcome of India’s  elections speak for itself?

Ans.1)The ruling parties routinely lose elections in India both at the national and state level. In fact in every two out of three elections held in the lost fifteen years, the ruling party lost.

2)In US, an incumbent or ‘sitting’ elected representatives rarely loses an elections. In India about half of the sitting MPs or MLAs lose election.

3)Candidates who are known to have spent a lot of money on ‘buying votes and those with known criminal connection often elections.

4)Barring very few disputed elections, the electoral outcomes are usually accepted as ‘People’s  verdicts’ by the defeated party.

Q28.What are the various limitations and challenges of Indian Elections?

Ans. The various limitations and challenges of Indian elections are:

1)Elections and Parties with a lot of money may not be sure of their victory but they do enjoy a big and unfair advantages over smaller parties and independents.

2)In some parts of the country, candidates with criminal connection have been able to push others out of the electoral race and to secure a ‘ticket’ from major parties.

3)Some families tend to dominate political parties; tickets ae distributed to relatives from these families.

4)Very often elections offer little choice to ordinary citizens, for both the major parties are quite similar to each other both in policies and practise.

5)Smaller parties and independent candidates suffer a huge disadvantages compared to bigger parties.

Chapter 10 Q/Ans for Class VIII

Democracy and Diversity

STORY OF MEXICO OLYMPICS

In 1968, Olympics held at Mexico city, in the medal ceremony of 200m race, where gold and bronze medals were won by the Tommie Smith & John Carlos (AFRICAN –AMERICANS) & the silver was bagged by the white Australian athelete, Peter Norman.
In the ceremony Tommie Smith & John Carlos (African- Americans) stood on the dice with black gloved clenched fists upraised & heads bowed while the American anthem was played. They received their medals wearing black socks & no shoes to represent ‘BLACK POVERTY.’ The silver medalist, white Australian athelete, Peter Norman, wore human rights badge on his shirt to show his support to the two Americans.
Q. Why did Tommie & Smith wear black socks & no shoes?
--To represent Black poverty.
Q. What did their clenched fists &black gloves represent?
--They meant to symbolize the Black Power.
Q. What did the two players intend to do with this kind of gesture?
They wanted to draw the international attention to racial discrimination in the United states.

                           So to fight this racial discrimination Martin Luther King Jr started a movement  in United state of America, that movement was called Civil Right Movement. This movement practiced non-violent methods of civil disobedience against racially discriminatory laws and practices.

                      The Black Power Movement - It was an anti-racist movement advocating violence to end racism in the USA

Q. What was the result of their action?
a) The International Olympics Association held Carlos & Smith guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making a political statement.
b) their medals were taken back.
c) back home they were subjected to lot of criticism.
d) Norman too suffered for his action & was not included in the Australian team in the next Olympics.
e) but their action did succeed in getting international attention for the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

ORIGINS OF SOCIAL DIFFERENCES

Social difference means difference in people due to  difference in their race, religion, language or culture.

Social differences can take different forms in different societies. Social differences can be both accidental or by choice.

1. Social differences based on accident of birth.
A person doesn’t choose his community where he should be born. He just happens to be born in a particular community. People are tall, short, dark or fair, male female, more by accident and not by their own choice. We cannot choose which culture or family to be born in and as male or female. It is by birth that a person belongs to a certain community.

2. Social differences based on our choices.

For example, some people are atheists—they do not believe in God or any religion, some choose to follow religion other than in which they were born; Some choose what to study and what occupation to take up and which game to play or which cultural activities to take part in. All these lead to formation of groups of our choices.
Every social difference does not lead to social division. Explain
(a)Social differences divide similar people from one another but, they also unite very different people.
(b)People belonging to different social groups share differences and similarities cutting across the boundaries of their groups. Eg. Carlos & Smith joined hands because as they both were similar but Peter supported them as they were athletes.
we all have more than one identity and can belong to more than one group. Explain

We can say so because the same person can be the member of more than one group. For eg- The same person can be member of football team whereas the same person can be a member of doctors group. So when the same person play football ,he or she carry the identity of a footballer and when the same person remains in the team of doctors ,he or she carry the identity of a doctor. So the same person is caring more than one identity.

E.g -  It is common for people belonging to the same religion feel that they do not belong to the same community because their caste or sect is different. It is also possible for the people from different religions to have same caste and feel close to each other.
--Rich & poor persons from the same family often do not have close relations with each other for they feel they are very different.

When a Social Difference Becomes A Social Division:

A social difference means the difference in a group or people due to their race, religion, language or culture. It becomes a social division when a social differences is joined by another set of social differences. When two or more social differences join together, it turns into a social division. This creates a divide in the people making them feel that they belong to different communities.

Where does it happen?

Social divisions happen due to various social differences based on race, religion, culture or language. It depends on the social diversity of the population of a country. A small country like Belgium is very diverse since it has Dutch, French and German speakers in its population. Sri Lanka is also diverse in respect of religion and language. Therefore it is wrong to say that social divisions happen only in big countries.

OVERLAPPING & CROSS-CUTTING DIFFERENCES.
OVERLAPPING DIFFERENCES
1. Overlapping differences happen when one type of social difference is joined and further reinforced by another set of social differences. It leads to further division in the society due to multiple social differences.
2. Example—a)difference between Black & White in the US becomes a social division because they tend to be poor & landless, and often face injustice & discrimination.
b) In our country Dalits tend to be poor & landless and often face injustice & discrimination.
3. Overlapping differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions.
CROSS-CUTTING DIFFERENCES
1. Cross cutting differences happen when one type of social difference is weakened by another set of social difference. Then it becomes difficult to group people into a single category because they are going to have different opinions and views on different matters and issues. On some matters there might be an agreement and on some a disagreement.
2. Example –The Dalits of  Bihar and U.P are very poor where as the dalits of Rajesh than is well to-do people. So if I have to make a group of dalits of Bihar ,U.P and Rajasthan to discuss certain issue related to poverty, then even though  being dalit the point of view of dalit of Rajasthan would be different from the point of view of dalits of other states. It would be so because the dalits of Rajasthan are not poor so they might don’t know the problem faced by poor dalit.  
3. Cross-cut social differences are easier to accommodate.

Homogeneous society:

A society that has similarkinds of people without caste, religion, race, economic ethnicdifferences.

Heterogeneous Society

A society which has different kinds of people such as many caste, religion, race, ethnicity, economic status

POLITICS OF SOCIAL DIVISIONS
Q. How do social divisions affect politics?
The combination of politics & social divisions is very explosive and dangerous.
a) Democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competitions tend to divide society.
if they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions , they can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict , violence or even disintegration of a country.
b) Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer one party more than others.
The combination of politics & social divisions (negative example)
1. As in the case of Northern Ireland, this region of UK has been for many years a sight of violence& bitter ethno- political conflict.
--Its population is divided into in to two major sects of Christianity: 53%--Protestants & 44%--Catholics.
--Catholics are represented by the Nationalist parties, who wanted Northern Ireland to be united with the Republic of Ireland, predominantly catholic.
--Protestants are represented by the Unionist who wanted to remain with UK.
--hundreds of civilians and militants were killed in the fight of political parties till 1998, the UK govt. & the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the latter suspended the armed struggle.
2. In Yugoslavia the political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
such examples lead some people to think that politics & social divisions should not be allowed to mix; if social divisions exists in a country they must never be expressed in politics.
The combination of politics & social divisions (Positive example)
(a) In many countries there are parties which focus only on one community. Yet all this does not always lead to disintegration. Every expression of social division in politics does not lead to disasters. Social divisions of some or the other kind do exist in every society of the world and are reflected in politics.
1.      In a democracy it is only natural that political parties would talk about social divisions.

2.      Political Parties make different promises to different communities.

3.      Political Parties look after due representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities.

Three factors that determine outcome of politics of social divisions.

1.      People’s Perception: First outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodate them in a society.

                                                                                                   However, If the people see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the national identity. In such a case, politics in social division is not destructive. Rather, it helps to represent the weaker social groups in the political system.

2.      Political Leaders’ way of using the Social Divisions: Second outcome depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. If the process is peaceful and the demands are raised without undermining the demands of other communities, there is no potential danger. However, if the demands of one community are raised at the cost of any other community, it can lead to conflicts in the society.

3.      Government’s Reaction to Such Demands: Third outcome depends on how the government reacts to demands of different groups. If the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of minority community, social divisions become less threatening for the country.

Q. ARE SOCIAL DIVISIONS, DANGEROUS OR NORMAL & HEALTHY?
In a democracy political expression of the social divisions is very normal and can be healthy as well….
--It allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get govt. to attend to these.
--The expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often result in cancelling one another out and thus reducing their intensity. This leads to strengthening of a democracy.
--People who feel marginalized, deprived and discriminated have to fight against the injustices and such fights often takes the democratic path, voicing their demands in a peaceful & constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through the elections.
--sometimes these social differences can take a form of the unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes take the path of violence and defiance(open resistance; bold disobedience) of state power.

NCERT Solutions

1. Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.
Answer:-Three factors which determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions:
→ The people's perception of their identities: When this is singular, the accommodation of other identities becomes difficult.

→ Representation of a community by political leaders: While representing a community, if politicians raise demands that are constitutional, then it is easier to accommodate those demands.
→ The government's reaction: If the reasonable demands of a community are suppressed by the government, then it leads to social divisions, which in turn threaten the integrity of the country.

2. When does a social difference become a social division?

Answer:-A social difference becomes a social division when it overlaps with some other social difference. For example, the Whites were rich and powerful and the Blacks were poor and homeless and discriminated against. When one kind of social difference becomes more important than the other, then it leads to division.

3. How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.

Answer:-In politics, there is competition between political parties. If these political parties use this
competition in support of some social divisions, it can lead to political divisions. This can lead
to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country.

→ One example is of Northern Ireland where religious divisions led to ethno-political conflict. Two major sects of Christianity : 53% Protestants and 44% Catholics dominate the country. The Catholics wanted Northern Ireland to join the Republic of Ireland and the Protestants wanted to remain with UK. This led to years of violence where thousands were killed. Only in 1998, peace returned when the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty and stopped all violence.
→  The second example is of Yugoslavia where the political parties refused to accommodate each other. Each ethno-religious group wanted to dominate the other. Result – disintegration of Yugoslavia into seven independent countries.

4. ________________ social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. ________________ social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.

Answer:-Overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions.

Cross cutting social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.

5. In dealing with social divisions which one of the following statements is NOT correct about democracy?
(a) Due to political competition in a democracy, social divisions get reflected in politics.
(b) In a democracy it is possible for communities to voice their grievances in a peaceful manner.
(c) Democracy is the best way to accommodate social diversity.
(d) Democracy always leads to disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.
Answer:-(d) Democracy always leads to disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.

6. Consider the following three statements.
A. Social divisions take place when social differences overlap.
B. It is possible that a person can have multiple identities.
C. Social divisions exist in only big countries like India.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
(a) A, B and C                     (b) A and B                         (c) B and C                                  (d) Only C
Answer:-(b) A and B

7. Arrange the following statements in a logical sequence and select the right answers by using the code given below.
A. But all political expression of social divisions need not be always dangerous.
B. Social divisions of one kind or the other exist in most countries.
C. Parties try to win political support by appealing to social divisions.
D. Some social differences may result in social divisions.
(a) D, B, C, A              (b) D, B, A, C                     (c) D, A, C, B                         (d) A, B, C, D
Answer:-(a) D, B, C, A

8. Among the following, which country suffered disintegration due to political fights on the basis of religious and ethnic identities?
(a) Belgium                   (b) India                    (c) Yugoslavia                       (d) Netherlands
Answer:-(c) Yugoslavia

9. Read the following passage from a famous speech by Martin Luther king Jr. in 1963. Which social division is he talking about? What are his aspirations and anxieties? Do you see a relationship between this speech and the incident in Mexico Olympics mentioned in this chapter?

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Let freedom ring - when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children - back men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics - will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!' I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'we hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal'."

Answer
There is mention of racial discrimination in the speech of Martine Luther King Jr in USA. He is referring to the segregation policies adopted by the Whites towards the Coloured people. He aspires for a country where there will be security for all; where racial abuse will not occur; and where everyone will be treated as equal irrespective of the colour of their skin. This speech and the incident at the Mexico Olympics are both part of a movement that wanted to highlight the plight of the African-American people.