Below is the summary of the class 9 civics chapter 3, “Electoral Politics”, from the NCERT book. It covers the essentials of the electoral process in India. The chapter focuses on the structure, key elements, and the governing bodies ensuring the integrity and fairness of elections.
- Elections: Choose representatives through voting.
- Democratic Elections: Free choice among various candidates.
- Electoral Constituencies: Areas designated for electing representatives.
- Reserved Constituencies: For SC and ST candidates.
- Voters’ List: Official list of eligible voters.
- Nomination of Candidates: Process for candidates to contest elections.
- Election Campaign: Period for political parties to promote themselves.
- Model Code of Conduct: Guidelines for fair election conduct.
- Polling and Counting: Voting process and vote tallying.
- Election Commission: Authority ensuring fair elections.
- Universal Adult Franchise: Voting right for all adults.
- Electoral Roll: Official voter registration list.
- Photo Identity Card: Voter identification document.
- Party Symbol: Icon representing a political party.
- By-election: Election in a single constituency.
Prepare for exams with MCQ Questions for Class 9 Social Science.
MCQ Questions and Answers for Class 9 Civics Chapter 3 Electoral Politics
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of elections in a democracy?
a) To appoint government officials
b) To allow citizens to choose their representatives
c) To organize public debates
d) To manage national finances
Answer:
b) To allow citizens to choose their representatives
Question 2: What is a constituency in the context of Indian elections?
a) A political party
b) A group of candidates
c) The area from which voters elect a representative
d) A collection of polling booths
Answer:
c) The area from which voters elect a representative
Question 3: Why is the principle of ‘one person, one vote’ significant in a democracy?
a) It ensures equal voting rights for all
b) It prioritizes the elite class
c) It restricts voting for minorities
d) It allows certain groups to have more votes
Answer:
a) It ensures equal voting rights for all
Question 4: What is the significance of free and fair elections in a democracy?
a) To ensure that only one party dominates
b) To give people the opportunity to choose their leaders
c) To maintain government control
d) To limit political participation
Answer:
b) To give people the opportunity to choose their leaders
Question 5: What is ‘Universal Adult Franchise’?
a) Voting rights for all adults regardless of wealth, caste, or gender
b) Voting rights only for property owners
c) Voting rights for certain privileged groups
d) Voting rights only for educated individuals
Answer:
a) Voting rights for all adults regardless of wealth, caste, or gender
Question 6: Why are elections considered the cornerstone of democracy?
a) They ensure military control
b) They provide a mechanism for choosing leaders and holding them accountable
c) They eliminate political competition
d) They suppress minority rights
Answer:
b) They provide a mechanism for choosing leaders and holding them accountable
Question 7: What does the Model Code of Conduct ensure during elections?
a) Equal power distribution among parties
b) Fair practices by candidates and political parties
c) Restriction of voter participation
d) Suppression of opposition parties
Answer:
b) Fair practices by candidates and political parties
Question 8: What is the minimum age required to vote in India?
a) 16 years
b) 18 years
c) 21 years
d) 25 years
Answer:
b) 18 years
Question 9: What is the primary function of the Election Commission of India?
a) Conducting and supervising all elections
b) Managing state finances
c) Appointing government officials
d) Formulating policies for development
Answer:
a) Conducting and supervising all elections
Question 10: What is a ‘reserved constituency’ in the Indian electoral system?
a) A constituency reserved for a specific religion
b) A constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
c) A constituency reserved for political parties
d) A constituency reserved for the judiciary
Answer:
b) A constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Question 11: Why is secrecy in voting essential in elections?
a) To ensure faster voting
b) To allow candidates to influence voters
c) To protect voters’ choices from external pressure
d) To reduce voter turnout
Answer:
c) To protect voters’ choices from external pressure
Question 12: What is the purpose of election campaigns in a democracy?
a) To promote the policies and ideologies of political parties
b) To appoint government officials
c) To restrict voter participation
d) To create social divisions
Answer:
a) To promote the policies and ideologies of political parties
Question 13: Why are elections held at regular intervals in a democracy?
a) To ensure stability and accountability
b) To increase government control
c) To suppress opposition parties
d) To restrict voting rights
Answer:
a) To ensure stability and accountability
Question 14: What is the first step in the electoral process in India?
a) Polling day
b) Counting of votes
c) Preparation of the voter list
d) Announcement of results
Answer:
c) Preparation of the voter list
Question 15: What is the significance of an electoral roll in elections?
a) It records the voting results
b) It lists the candidates contesting the elections
c) It lists all eligible voters in a constituency
d) It specifies the election schedule
Answer:
c) It lists all eligible voters in a constituency
Question 16: What is a ‘nomination’ in the electoral process?
a) The process of preparing the voter list
b) The process of selecting the Chief Election Commissioner
c) The process of a candidate filing their papers to contest elections
d) The process of announcing election results
Answer:
c) The process of a candidate filing their papers to contest elections
Question 17: What is the primary function of polling booths during elections?
a) Counting votes
b) Allowing citizens to cast their votes in secrecy
c) Conducting election campaigns
d) Declaring election results
Answer:
b) Allowing citizens to cast their votes in secrecy
Question 18: What is the role of an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in Indian elections?
a) To display results instantly
b) To conduct online voting
c) To ensure secrecy and reduce chances of fraud
d) To prevent polling
Answer:
c) To ensure secrecy and reduce chances of fraud
Question 19: Who is responsible for preparing the electoral roll in India?
a) The Prime Minister
b) The Election Commission
c) State governments
d) Local bodies
Answer:
b) The Election Commission
Question 20: What is the minimum age required to be a candidate in Indian elections?
a) 18 years
b) 21 years
c) 25 years
d) 30 years
Answer:
c) 25 years
Question 21: How often are Lok Sabha elections held in India?
a) Every 3 years
b) Every 4 years
c) Every 5 years
d) Every 6 years
Answer:
c) Every 5 years
Question 22: What happens after polling is completed in Indian elections?
a) The voter list is updated
b) Votes are counted, and results are declared
c) Election campaigns are restarted
d) The Model Code of Conduct is enforced
Answer:
b) Votes are counted, and results are declared
Question 23: What is a reserved constituency in the Indian electoral process?
a) A constituency set aside for defense personnel
b) A constituency reserved for women candidates
c) A constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
d) A constituency reserved for political parties
Answer:
c) A constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Question 24: What is the purpose of election campaigns?
a) To inform voters about candidates and their policies
b) To declare the election winners
c) To organize public protests
d) To restrict voter participation
Answer:
a) To inform voters about candidates and their policies
Question 25: What is the significance of the Model Code of Conduct during elections?
a) It provides voting instructions
b) It regulates the behavior of candidates and political parties
c) It enforces voting rights
d) It monitors polling booths
Answer:
b) It regulates the behavior of candidates and political parties
Question 26: What ensures free and fair elections in India?
a) Campaigning by political parties
b) Proper supervision by the Election Commission
c) Restricting voters from different regions
d) Limiting the number of polling stations
Answer:
b) Proper supervision by the Election Commission
Question 27: What is a common issue in electoral politics in India?
a) Excessive transparency
b) Misuse of money and muscle power
c) Lack of voter participation
d) Overregulation of campaigns
Answer:
b) Misuse of money and muscle power
Question 28: What is ‘booth capturing’ in elections?
a) Increasing the number of polling booths
b) Preventing eligible voters from casting their votes
c) Illegally taking control of a polling booth to influence voting
d) Organizing election rallies
Answer:
c) Illegally taking control of a polling booth to influence voting
Question 29: How does money power affect elections?
a) Promotes fair competition
b) Influences voters through bribery and unfair practices
c) Ensures all candidates get equal funds
d) Increases voter turnout
Answer:
b) Influences voters through bribery and unfair practices
Question 30: What is a significant challenge in ensuring free and fair elections?
a) Availability of polling booths
b) Unbiased functioning of the Election Commission
c) Campaigning by opposition parties
d) Lack of awareness about elections
Answer:
b) Unbiased functioning of the Election Commission
Question 31: How can fake voting undermine elections?
a) Increases voter participation
b) Leads to manipulation of results
c) Ensures a fair voting process
d) Reduces the cost of elections
Answer:
b) Leads to manipulation of results
Question 32: What is a major challenge related to voter turnout in India?
a) Overrepresentation of rural areas
b) Voter apathy and lack of participation
c) Excessive voting by young voters
d) Shortage of polling booths
Answer:
b) Voter apathy and lack of participation
Question 33: What role does caste play in Indian elections?
a) It has no impact on elections
b) It is often used to mobilize voters along community lines
c) It ensures fair representation for all castes
d) It eliminates discrimination
Answer:
b) It is often used to mobilize voters along community lines
Question 34: Why is election expenditure a concern in electoral politics?
a) It ensures a level playing field
b) It restricts smaller parties from competing
c) It promotes transparency
d) It increases public awareness
Answer:
b) It restricts smaller parties from competing
Question 35: How does criminalization of politics affect elections?
a) Ensures fair representation
b) Allows individuals with criminal backgrounds to contest elections
c) Promotes transparency in politics
d) Strengthens democratic values
Answer:
b) Allows individuals with criminal backgrounds to contest elections
Question 36: What is the impact of unfair practices like intimidation during elections?
a) Increases voter confidence
b) Discourages voters from participating
c) Ensures fair competition
d) Promotes peaceful polling
Answer:
b) Discourages voters from participating
Question 37: What is the role of media in addressing election challenges?
a) To suppress information about candidates
b) To spread awareness about free and fair elections
c) To endorse specific political parties
d) To reduce voter turnout
Answer:
b) To spread awareness about free and fair elections
Question 38: Why are exit polls controversial in elections?
a) They predict the exact outcomes
b) They may influence voters in subsequent phases
c) They provide accurate voting data
d) They reduce transparency
Answer:
b) They may influence voters in subsequent phases
Question 39: What is a major issue with political funding in India?
a) Lack of proper distribution of funds
b) Limited role of private donations
c) Lack of transparency in funding sources
d) Excessive public financing
Answer:
c) Lack of transparency in funding sources
Question 40: How can election-related violence affect the process?
a) It ensures voter turnout
b) It disrupts free and fair elections
c) It promotes transparency
d) It strengthens democratic institutions
Answer:
b) It disrupts free and fair elections
Question 41: What is the primary responsibility of the Election Commission of India?
a) Supervising and conducting elections
b) Formulating economic policies
c) Appointing government officials
d) Monitoring defense forces
Answer:
a) Supervising and conducting elections
Question 42: Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner in India?
a) The Prime Minister
b) The President of India
c) The Supreme Court
d) The Governor of a State
Answer:
b) The President of India
Question 43: What is the role of the Election Commission during elections?
a) Counting votes manually
b) Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct
c) Appointing members of Parliament
d) Announcing the government budget
Answer:
b) Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct
Question 44: How does the Election Commission ensure free and fair elections?
a) By limiting voter turnout
b) By conducting public opinion polls
c) By deploying election observers and managing complaints
d) By favoring the ruling party
Answer:
c) By deploying election observers and managing complaints
Question 45: Why is voter education important in a democracy?
a) To increase the popularity of political parties
b) To ensure informed decision-making by citizens
c) To suppress minority participation
d) To control election outcomes
Answer:
b) To ensure informed decision-making by citizens
Question 46: What is the significance of high voter turnout in elections?
a) It shows widespread public interest in elections
b) It favors the ruling party
c) It indicates lack of transparency
d) It reduces the role of political campaigns
Answer:
a) It shows widespread public interest in elections
Question 47: How does the Election Commission handle complaints during elections?
a) It ignores them
b) It resolves them impartially and ensures corrective measures
c) It delays action until elections are over
d) It forwards them to political parties
Answer:
b) It resolves them impartially and ensures corrective measures
Question 48: What does the Election Commission do to prevent electoral malpractice?
a) Bans all political campaigns
b) Implements strict guidelines and monitors the process
c) Encourages biased practices
d) Limits the use of EVMs
Answer:
b) Implements strict guidelines and monitors the process
Question 49: What role do citizens play in ensuring free and fair elections?
a) By passively following government orders
b) By actively voting and reporting malpractice
c) By supporting only ruling party candidates
d) By avoiding election campaigns
Answer:
b) By actively voting and reporting malpractice
Question 50: How can media contribute to popular participation in elections?
a) By spreading misinformation
b) By educating voters and providing unbiased information
c) By endorsing specific parties
d) By discouraging voter turnout
Answer:
b) By educating voters and providing unbiased information
Question 51: What does the term ‘popular participation’ in elections mean?
a) Only political leaders participating in campaigns
b) Active involvement of citizens in voting and election-related activities
c) Participation of officials in counting votes
d) Restriction of public opinion
Answer:
b) Active involvement of citizens in voting and election-related activities
Question 52: How does the Election Commission ensure the integrity of voter lists?
a) By randomly removing names
b) By updating voter lists regularly
c) By maintaining a fixed voter list
d) By excluding rural voters
Answer:
b) By updating voter lists regularly
Question 53: What is a major initiative taken by the Election Commission to increase voter participation?
a) Organizing debates between candidates
b) Launching voter awareness campaigns
c) Allowing only young voters
d) Restricting voting rights
Answer:
b) Launching voter awareness campaigns
Question 54: How does the Election Commission ensure neutrality in elections?
a) By favoring certain parties
b) By operating independently of the government
c) By collaborating with ruling party officials
d) By ignoring public complaints
Answer:
b) By operating independently of the government