Elections and Representation Short and Long Important Question Class 11 Political Science chapter-3 Book-India Constitution at Work

 

Q: What is meant by election?

Answer -

• All citizens cannot directly participate in making any decision, therefore the process by which the public chooses its leader (representative) is called election.

• The person whom the public elects through the election process and sends to the Parliament or Assembly  is called the public representative.

Question:  Tell me the difference between direct and indirect democracy?

Answer -

direct democracy  

• In direct democracy, people directly participate in day-to-day decisions and running the government. 

• The local governments of ancient Greece, especially the village councils, are the closest examples of direct democracy. 

Indirect democracy  

• Direct democracy cannot be practiced  when millions and crores of people have to take decisions  .

• Therefore, people's rule generally means  rule by the representatives of the people.

• In this, the public elects and sends their representatives  and these people participate in governance and make laws. 

Question:  Tell us about the Election Commission. 

Answer -

• The Election Commission was established in 1950 

• The Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections in India

• Election Commission is mentioned in Article 324 of the Indian Constitution

• There is a Chief Electoral Officer in every state to assist the Election Commission of India 

• The Election Commission is not responsible  for the elections of local bodies.  For this, there are State Election Commissioners in the states  who work separately from the Election Commission.

• The Election Commission of India works without any pressure 

• The Election Commission will have 3 members-   one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners 

• The first Election Commissioner was Sukumar Sen

Question:  Tell me the functions of the Election Commission? 

Answer -

• Preparation of Electoral Roll 

• Conducting elections

• conducting free and fair elections 

• Issuance of code of conduct

• Allotment of election symbols to political parties 

• registration of political parties 

• Setting a limit on the amount of money that candidates can spend during elections 

Question:   What are the main shortcomings of the election system? 

Answer -

• Excessive spending of money by political parties during elections

• Buying votes during elections 

• Political parties seeking votes in the name of caste and religion 

• Increasing involvement of criminals in politics 

• Political parties make tempting promises to the public 

• Use of violence by political parties in elections  

• The offering of money, goods, or other inducements by political parties in exchange for votes 

Question:  Give some suggestions to improve the election system? 

Answer -

• To improve the election system, the system of proportional representation should be implemented in place of the system of winning with the most votes. This will ensure that political parties get seats in the same proportion as the votes they get.

• One third of the seats in Parliament and State Assemblies should be reserved for women  

• If there is any criminal case against a candidate then he should be barred from contesting the election

• There should be laws to regulate the functioning of political parties

• Complete ban on seeking votes on the basis of caste and religion in election campaign

• There should be strict provisions to control the influence of religion in electoral politics 

Question:  Why was the system of winning with the most votes implemented in India?

Answer -

• The process of single transferable vote system is quite complex 

• This may be applicable in a small country but not in a large country like India. 

• The success of the most votes-win system is the reason for its popularity. 

• For those voters who do not have special knowledge of politics and elections,  the entire election system is easy to understand.