Important Question Answers Chapter 5-Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
The Big Questions?
1. What is universal adult franchise?
Answer:
It means every adult citizen has the right to vote.
In India, every citizen aged 18 or above can vote.
No discrimination based on gender, caste, religion, or wealth.
It ensures equality in voting rights.
It is a basic feature of democracy.
2. What is an electoral system?
Answer:
It is the method used to elect representatives.
It includes rules for voting and counting votes.
It decides how winners are chosen.
In India, elections are held by secret ballot.
It ensures fair and free choice for voters.
3. How does India’s electoral system work?
Answer:
The Election Commission conducts elections.
Eligible voters’ names are in the voter list.
Voting is done in polling booths by secret ballot or EVM.
Votes are counted after polling ends.
Candidate with the most votes wins.
4. What are the most important aspects of the election process in this caselet?
Answer:
Nomination of candidates.
Campaigning before voting.
Voting through secret ballot.
Counting of votes.
Announcement of results.
5. Why was it important to have a secret ballot?
Answer:
To keep voters’ choices private.
To avoid pressure or influence.
To prevent fear of others knowing their vote.
It allows honest and free voting.
It maintains fairness in elections.
More In Text Questions:
6. What considerations might the students have had while exercising their choice?
Answer: Considerations students might have had while exercising choice:
Candidate’s honesty and behaviour.
Candidate’s ability to lead.
Past helpfulness of the candidate.
Candidate’s promises during campaigning.
Candidate’s popularity in the class.
7. Do you think the students have any responsibility after Gurmat was elected as the class rep? If yes, what are they?
Answer: Students’ responsibility after Gurmat was elected:
Support him in class activities.
Share ideas and problems with him.
Cooperate in his work.
Follow the rules he helps set.
Remind him of promises made.
8. What was the role that Ms. Usha played? Why was it important?
Answer: Role played by Ms. Usha and its importance:
She guided the election process.
Made sure voting was fair.
Provided equal chance to all candidates.
Ensured rules were followed.
Her role was important to keep elections unbiased.
9. Why was it important for Ms. Usha to organise a braille ballot paper for Neha?
Answer: Importance of organising braille ballot paper for Neha:
Allowed Neha to vote independently.
Ensured equal voting rights for her.
Removed discrimination.
Showed respect for differently-abled students.
Followed the principle of inclusiveness.
10. What would happen if many students in the class chose not to mark a preference?
Answer:
Election results could be unclear.
Winning candidate might get very few votes.
True choice of majority wouldn’t be known.
Could cause unfair result.
Might lead to re-election.
Important Questions:
2 Marks Questions
State one reason why the voting age in India was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1988.
Ans: To increase youth participation in democracy and make the process more inclusive.Mention one key difference between direct and indirect elections.
Ans: In direct elections, citizens vote directly for their representatives; in indirect elections, representatives are chosen by elected members.Name the system used for electing members to the Rajya Sabha.
Ans: Single Transferable Vote System.Who conducts elections to the offices of the President and Vice President of India?
Ans: The Election Commission of India.Write one feature of the Model Code of Conduct.
Ans: Government cannot announce new schemes during elections to avoid influencing voters.What does the term ‘constituency’ mean?
Ans: A geographical area whose voters elect a representative to a legislative body.Who was the first voter in India’s general elections of 1951?
Ans: Shyam Saran Negi.What is NOTA?
Ans: “None of the Above” option allowing voters to reject all candidates.How long is the term of a Rajya Sabha member?
Ans: Six years.Which constitutional article provides for universal adult franchise in India?
Ans: Article 326.
3 Marks Questions:
List any three innovative measures introduced by the ECI to assist people with disabilities in voting.
Ans:Braille-enabled voter cards
App-based requests for wheelchairs and ramps
Home voting for elderly and differently-abled
State three main functions of the Election Commission of India.
Ans:Conducting elections to Parliament, state assemblies, and key constitutional offices
Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct
Registering political parties
Give three differences between elections to the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Ans:Lok Sabha: Direct elections; Rajya Sabha: Indirect elections
Lok Sabha: First-past-the-post system; Rajya Sabha: Single transferable vote system
Lok Sabha: Fixed term; Rajya Sabha: Permanent body with one-third members retiring every two years
Name three categories of people barred from voting in India.
Ans:Persons convicted of certain serious crimes
Persons declared of unsound mind by a competent court
Non-citizens
Mention any three types of elections conducted by the ECI.
Ans:Lok Sabha elections
State Legislative Assembly elections
Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections
Give three examples of violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
Ans:Distributing gifts or money to voters
Using abusive language against opponents
Using government machinery for campaigning
Mention three reasons why voter turnout can be low in urban areas.
Ans:Lack of interest or political apathy
Migration and unregistered voters
Busy work schedules on polling day
Name three factors that make elections in India challenging.
Ans:Large and diverse population
Geographical diversity and remote areas
High number of political parties and candidates
List three responsibilities of voters in a democracy.
Ans:To vote responsibly after understanding issues
To avoid selling votes or accepting inducements
To participate in strengthening democratic institutions
Give three reasons why universal adult franchise is important.
Ans:Ensures equality in political participation
Holds elected representatives accountable
Encourages civic engagement
5 Marks Questions:
Explain the steps in the voting process at a polling booth in India.
Ans:First polling officer checks voter’s name and ID proof
Second officer inks finger, gives chit, and takes signature
Third officer collects chit, checks ink, and allows voting
Voter presses button on EVM and verifies slip on VVPAT
Exit after confirmation
Describe the election process for the President of India.
Ans:Elected by an electoral college consisting of MPs and MLAs
Uses single transferable vote system
Value of votes based on state population
Nominated members and Legislative Council members do not vote
Ensures support from both central and state governments
Discuss the significance of the Model Code of Conduct in ensuring free and fair elections.
Ans:Prevents misuse of government power and resources
Maintains level playing field for all candidates
Reduces unfair influence through gifts or inducements
Promotes peaceful and orderly campaigning
Builds public trust in electoral process
Explain the concept of ‘First-Past-the-Post’ system with an example.
Ans:Candidate with highest votes wins, even without majority
Example: If Candidate A gets 40%, B gets 35%, C gets 25%, A wins
Used in Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections in India
Simple and quick to count
Can result in winner without majority vote share
Describe three challenges faced by India’s electoral system and suggest two solutions.
Ans:
Challenges:Money power in elections
Candidates with criminal records
Voter apathy
Solutions:Stricter enforcement of election expenditure limits
Awareness campaigns to encourage voter participation
Explain the role of technology in Indian elections.
Ans:Use of EVMs for faster and error-free counting
VVPAT for vote verification and transparency
Online voter registration and information portals
GIS mapping for polling stations
Assistive technology for disabled voters
Describe the composition and structure of the Election Commission of India.
Ans:Headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
Two Election Commissioners at national level
Chief Electoral Officer at state level
District Election Officer at district level
Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers for specific tasks
Compare the elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies.
Ans:Lok Sabha: Direct election, national level, 543 seats
Rajya Sabha: Indirect election by MLAs, permanent body, 245 seats
State Assemblies: Direct election at state level, varies by state
Lok Sabha & Assemblies: First-past-the-post system
Rajya Sabha: Single transferable vote system
Discuss how India ensures voting rights for women and marginalized communities.
Ans:Equal voting rights since independence
Reservation of seats for SCs and STs
Awareness campaigns for rural women voters
Accessibility measures for all eligible citizens
Legal safeguards against discrimination
Explain the importance of voter awareness in strengthening democracy.
Ans:Informed voters make better choices
Reduces influence of money and misinformation
Encourages higher turnout
Strengthens accountability of elected representatives
Builds a culture of responsible citizenship
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To Learn More Click Below:
In Text Questions:
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Chapter 2 Reshaping India’s Political Map – Click Here
NCERT Solutions:
Chapter 2 Reshaping India’s Political Map – Click Here