Class 9 Social Science Notes Chapter 4 (Electoral politics) – Democratic Politics Book
Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 4: Electoral Politics. This is a crucial chapter, not just for understanding our democracy but also frequently tested in various government exams. Pay close attention to the details.
Chapter 4: Electoral Politics - Detailed Notes for Government Exam Preparation
1. Why Do We Need Elections?
- Definition: An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses individuals to hold public office. It's the mechanism through which people can choose their representatives at regular intervals and change them if they wish to do so.
- Need in Representative Democracies:
- Large Populations: In modern democracies with vast populations, direct participation by all citizens in decision-making is impossible.
- Lack of Time/Skills: Not everyone has the time, desire, or specialized skills to take part in all decisions.
- Mechanism for Choice: Elections provide a way for people to:
- Choose who will make laws for them.
- Choose who will form the government and take major decisions.
- Choose the party whose policies will guide the government and law-making.
- Democratic Requirement: Elections are considered essential for any representative democracy.
2. What Makes an Election Democratic? (Minimum Conditions)
For an election to be considered democratic, certain minimum conditions must be met:
- Universal Adult Franchise: Everyone should be able to choose. This means every adult citizen must have one vote, and each vote must have equal value. (Article 326 of the Indian Constitution grants this).
- Real Choice: There should be parties and candidates free to contest elections, offering a real choice to the voters. Voters should have something significant to choose from.
- Regular Intervals: Elections must be held regularly after a fixed period (e.g., every five years in India for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies). This ensures accountability.
- Free and Fair Elections: Elections must be conducted in a free and fair manner where people can choose as they really wish. Malpractices like rigging, booth capturing, or intimidation should not occur.
- People's Preference Prevails: The candidate or party preferred by the majority of the people should get elected.
3. Is it Good to Have Political Competition?
- Demerits:
- Creates disunity and 'factionalism'.
- Parties may use 'dirty tricks' to win.
- Pressure to win may prevent sensible long-term policies.
- Good people may avoid entering politics due to unhealthy competition.
- Merits (Why it's necessary):
- Provides Incentives: Regular electoral competition motivates political parties and leaders. They know they will be rewarded for serving the people and punished if they fail.
- Offers Choices: It provides meaningful choices to the voters.
- Forces Parties to Address Issues: Parties are forced to raise and address issues people care about to win support.
- Accountability: It makes politicians accountable to the people. Even if their motive is power, they are forced to serve the people to remain in power.
4. What is Our System of Elections in India?
- Types of Elections:
- General Elections: Held in all constituencies at the same time, either on the same day or within a few days, to elect Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) members. Usually held every 5 years.
- By-Election: Held only for one or a few constituencies to fill vacancies caused by the death or resignation of a member.
- Electoral Constituencies:
- Definition: The country is divided into different areas for the purpose of elections. Voters living in one area elect one representative.
- Lok Sabha: Divided into 543 constituencies. The representative elected from each constituency is called a Member of Parliament (MP). Seats are allocated to states based roughly on population size.
- Vidhan Sabha (State Assembly): Each state is divided into a specific number of Assembly constituencies. The elected representative is called a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA).
- Local Bodies: Similar principles apply to Panchayat and Municipal elections.
- Reserved Constituencies:
- Rationale: To ensure fair representation for weaker sections, particularly Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), who might not have the resources or social network to win elections otherwise.
- Mechanism: Some constituencies are reserved for SCs and STs. Only someone belonging to these categories can contest from a reserved seat. However, all voters in that constituency vote.
- Current Status: As per the Delimitation Commission order (2008), 84 seats are reserved for SCs and 47 seats for STs in the Lok Sabha. Reservation also exists in State Assemblies and Rural/Urban local bodies (where OBC reservation is also implemented).
- Voters' List (Electoral Roll):
- Principle: Based on Universal Adult Franchise. All citizens aged 18 years and above are eligible to vote, regardless of caste, religion, gender, etc. (Some exceptions: persons of unsound mind, convicted criminals in certain cases).
- Preparation: The list of eligible voters is prepared and revised periodically by the Election Commission.
- Importance: Essential for ensuring that only eligible citizens vote, and no one is denied the right to vote without a valid reason.
- EPIC: Election Photo Identity Card. While issued to voters, it's not mandatory for voting; other specified photo identity proofs are also accepted.
- Nomination of Candidates:
- Eligibility: Any voter can generally become a candidate (minimum age for Lok Sabha/Assembly elections is 25 years).
- Party Ticket: Candidates nominated by political parties receive the party symbol and support (often called getting a 'ticket').
- Process: Candidates file a nomination form and deposit a security fee.
- Legal Declaration (Supreme Court Mandate): Every candidate has to make a legal declaration, giving full details of:
- Serious criminal cases pending against them.
- Details of assets and liabilities of the candidate and their family.
- Educational qualifications. (This information is made public).
- Election Campaign:
- Period: Typically a two-week period between the announcement of the final list of candidates and the date of polling.
- Methods: Public meetings, door-to-door canvassing, posters, pamphlets, media advertisements, rallies.
- Focus: Parties try to focus public attention on major issues and persuade voters.
- Famous Slogans: 'Garibi Hatao' (Congress, 1971), 'Save Democracy' (Janata Party, 1977), 'Land to the Tiller' (Left Front, 1977), 'Protect the Self-Respect of the Telugus' (Telugu Desam Party, 1983).
- Model Code of Conduct: A set of norms agreed upon by political parties, enforced by the Election Commission. According to this, parties/candidates cannot:
- Use places of worship for propaganda.
- Use government vehicles, aircraft, or officials for elections.
- Announce major policy decisions or financial grants after elections are announced.
- Bribe or threaten voters.
- Appeal for votes in the name of caste or religion.
- Exceed prescribed expenditure limits.
- Polling and Counting of Votes:
- Polling Day: Voters go to nearby polling booths and cast their vote secretly.
- EVMs: Electronic Voting Machines are now used widely instead of ballot papers. They record votes securely.
- Counting: EVMs are sealed and taken to secure counting centres. Votes are counted, and results are declared by election officials.
5. What Makes Elections in India Democratic?
Several factors contribute to the democratic nature of Indian elections:
- Independent Election Commission (EC):
- Constitutional Body: Article 324 establishes the EC, giving it superintendence, direction, and control over elections.
- Independence: Enjoys the same kind of independence as the judiciary. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President but is very difficult to remove (similar process as a Supreme Court judge).
- Powers:
- Takes decisions on every aspect from announcement to declaration of results.
- Implements the Model Code of Conduct and punishes violators.
- Can order government transfers during election periods.
- Can prevent misuse of government machinery.
- Can order a re-poll if rigging is suspected.
- Recognizes political parties and allocates symbols.
- Popular Participation:
- Voter Turnout: Generally stable or increasing over the years. Turnout indicates the extent of people's participation.
- Demographic Trends: In India, turnout among the poor, illiterate, and underprivileged is often higher compared to the rich and privileged sections (unlike many Western democracies).
- Engagement: A significant proportion of Indians feel attached to political parties and participate in election-related activities.
- Belief in Vote's Value: Most voters believe their vote matters and influences how the country is run.
- Acceptance of Election Outcome:
- The outcome of India's elections is usually accepted as 'people's verdict' by the defeated party.
- Ruling parties routinely lose elections at both national and state levels.
- While allegations exist, the overall acceptance points to the basic credibility of the process.
- Challenges to Free and Fair Elections:
- Money Power: Candidates/parties with huge funds gain an unfair advantage.
- Criminal Elements: Candidates with criminal connections sometimes manage to secure tickets and win.
- Dynastic Politics: Tendency for parties to be dominated by families, distributing tickets to relatives.
- Lack of Meaningful Choice: Often, major parties have similar policies, offering little real choice on fundamental issues.
- Disadvantage for Smaller Parties/Independents: They face significant hurdles against larger, well-funded parties.
Conclusion: While Indian elections face challenges, they are fundamentally democratic due to the robust institutional framework (especially the EC), high levels of popular participation, and general acceptance of outcomes. Continuous efforts are needed to address the challenges.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
-
What is the minimum age required for a citizen to be eligible to vote in India's Lok Sabha elections?
a) 16 years
b) 18 years
c) 21 years
d) 25 years -
The term 'Universal Adult Franchise' means:
a) Only educated adults can vote.
b) Only property-owning adults can vote.
c) All adult citizens have the right to vote, with each vote having equal value.
d) All adults belonging to the majority community can vote. -
How many constituencies is India divided into for Lok Sabha elections?
a) 545
b) 552
c) 543
d) 288 -
Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India?
a) The Prime Minister
b) The Chief Justice of India
c) The Parliament
d) The President of India -
What is the main purpose of Reserved Constituencies in India?
a) To reserve seats for women candidates.
b) To ensure representation for economically weaker sections.
c) To ensure fair representation for socially weaker sections like SCs and STs.
d) To reserve seats for minority religious groups. -
Which of the following is a feature of the Model Code of Conduct?
a) Parties can use government vehicles for campaigning.
b) Ministers can lay foundation stones of new projects after elections are announced.
c) No party or candidate can use a place of worship for election propaganda.
d) Candidates can appeal for votes based on caste identity. -
An election held to fill a vacancy caused by the death or resignation of a member is called:
a) General Election
b) Mid-term Election
c) By-Election
d) Referendum -
What does EPIC stand for in the context of Indian elections?
a) Electronic Polling Identity Card
b) Elector's Photo Identity Card
c) Election Process Information Centre
d) Electoral Participation Identity Card -
Which body in India has the power to recognize political parties and allot symbols?
a) The Parliament
b) The Supreme Court
c) The President's Office
d) The Election Commission -
Which of these is considered a major challenge to free and fair elections in India?
a) Low voter turnout
b) Lack of political parties
c) Excessive use of money power by candidates and parties
d) Frequent postponement of elections by the EC
Answers to MCQs:
- b) 18 years
- c) All adult citizens have the right to vote, with each vote having equal value.
- c) 543
- d) The President of India
- c) To ensure fair representation for socially weaker sections like SCs and STs.
- c) No party or candidate can use a place of worship for election propaganda.
- c) By-Election
- b) Elector's Photo Identity Card
- d) The Election Commission
- c) Excessive use of money power by candidates and parties
Study these notes carefully. Understanding the electoral process is fundamental to understanding Indian democracy and vital for your exams. Let me know if any part needs further clarification.