Elections Class 9 Question Answer SST Chapter 7

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Class 9 SST Chapter 7 Elections Question Answer

Class 9 Elections Question Answer

The Big Questions (Page No. 161)

Question 1.
Why are elections essential to a democratic system?
Answer:
Elections are essential in a democratic system because they allow citizens to choose their representatives, ensure accountability of the government, and provide a peaceful method for the transfer of power. They also strengthen public participation and give legitimacy to the government formed through the people’s mandate.

Question 2.
How do electoral systems and rules shape political representation and fairness? (Page No. 161)
Answer:
Electoral systems determine how votes are converted into seats, which directly affects representation and fairness. For example, the FPTP system gives victory to the candidate with the most votes, while Proportional Representation allocates seats according to vote share. Rules like universal adult franchise and delimitation ensure equal participation and balanced representation across regions.

Question 3.
What role do institutions and laws play in ensuring free and fair elections?
Answer:
Institutions and laws play the following role in ensuring free and fair elections.

• Institutions like the Election Commission of India conduct, supervise, and control the entire election process, ensuring that elections are free from bias and manipulation.
• Laws such as the Representation of the People Act and the Model Code of Conduct regulate electoral activities, prevent malpractice, and ensure transparency and fairness in elections.

Question 4.
What challenges do elections face in practice, and how can these challenges affect democracy?
Answer:
Electoral systems and election rules decide how representatives are chosen. They ensure that every eligible citizen has an equal opportunity to vote and that the election process is conducted in an organised manner. Clear rules help maintain transparency and reduce unfair practices. They also ensure that election results truly reflect the choice of the people. In this way, electoral systems promote fairness and equal representation.

Elections Question Answer Class 9

InText Questions

Question 1.
Different democracies use different electoral systems. Make groups of 5-6 students. Each group will select six countries from different continents. Prepare and present a case study on the type of electoral system(s) operating in those countries, and discuss their latest election results of those countries. (Page No. 165)
Answer:
Do it yourself.

Question 2.
Article 82 of the Constitution of India mandates the establishment of a Delimitation Commission. India has had four Delimitation Commissions—in 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002. Can you find out the reason for the long interval between 1973 and 2002 with the help of your teacher? (Page No. 166)
Answer:
The reason for the long interval between the Delimitation Commissions of 1973 and 2002 is as follows:

• The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 froze the readjustment of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly constituencies based on the 1971 Census until after the 2001 Census.
• This freeze was introduced to ensure that states which had successfully implemented family planning programmes were not disadvantaged by losing parliamentary seats due to slower population growth.
• As a result, no Delimitation Commission was constituted between 1973 and 2002.
• After the 84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001, constituency boundaries were permitted to be redrawn based on the 2001 Census (although the total number of seats remained frozen until after the first Census conducted after 2026).
• Therefore, the next Delimitation Commission was established in 2002.

Question 3.
You will turn 18 in a few years. As a responsible citizen, you should register yourself as a voter. Find out the various steps of the procedure for registration and the list of required documents for the same. Discuss, with anyone who has just turned 18 and has registered as a voter, the ease or difficulty faced in the voter registration process. (Page No. 168)
Answer:
As a responsible citizen, once a person turns 18, they can register as a voter through the Election Commission of India.
Steps for Voter Registration:

1. Visit the official voter registration portal or Electoral Registration Office.
2. Fill Form 6 (application for new voter registration).
3. Submit personal details such as name, age, address, and constituency.
4. Upload required documents online or submit them offline.
5. Verification is done by officials/Enumerators through field checks.
6. After verification, the name is added to the Electoral Roll and a Voter ID is issued.

Required Documents:

1. Proof of age (Birth certificate, Aadhaar card, etc.)
2. Proof of address (Electricity bill, ration card, etc.)
3. Passport-size photograph
4. Identity proof (Aadhaar card/PAN card, etc.)

Discussion on Experience: Many first-time voters find the process simple and accessible, especially due to online registration. However, some may face minor difficulties such as document errors, address mismatch, or delays in verification. Overall, the process is designed to be transparent and citizen-friendly to encourage participation in democracy.

Question 4.
Do you know what ETPBS is? Find out who is classified as service voters and who can vote using ETPBS. (Page No. 168)
Answer:
ETPBS (Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System) is a system developed by the Election Commission of India that allows eligible voters to receive postal ballots electronically and cast their vote from a remote location. It is mainly used to ensure that voters who are not physically present in their constituency can still participate in elections.
Service voters are those citizens who are

• Members of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force).
• Members of the Armed Police Forces of a state serving outside that state.
• Government of India employees posted outside India.

ETPBS facility is available for the following.

• Service voters (armed forces and paramilitary personnel posted away from home constituency).
• Government officials posted abroad in Indian embassies/missions.
• In some cases, their eligible spouses who are registered as service voters.

Question 5.
Choose any three states (including yours). Find the symbols of state parties belonging to those states and plot them on the given map of India. List their major agenda, as mentioned in their manifesto in the latest Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha/Local Body Elections. (Page No. 173)

Answer:

1. Uttar Pradesh
Political Party: Samajwadi Party (SP)
Symbol: Bicycle
Major Agenda (Manifesto points):

• Employment opportunities for youth.
• Strengthening farmers’ income support.
• Better education and health facilities.
• Social justice and welfare schemes for weaker sections.

2. Maharashtra
Political Party: Shiv Sena (UBT faction)
Symbol: Flamingo Torch
Major Agenda (Manifesto points):

• Protection of Marathi identity and culture.
• Urban development of Mumbai and other cities.
• Employment generation and infrastructure growth.
• Welfare schemes for farmers and workers.

3. West Bengal
Political Party: All India Trinamool Congress (TMC)
Symbol: Flowers and Grass
Major Agenda (Manifesto points):

• Social welfare schemes for women and poor families.
• Development of education and healthcare sectors.
• Infrastructure and rural development.
• Employment generation and poverty reduction.

Question 6.
Form groups of 4-6 students. Identify and compare the policy preferences on the following parameters for two political parties in the last Lok Sabha Elections using credible sources like party manifestos, newspapers, etc. Present the points of comparison in a poster using bullet points, symbols, colour coding, etc. (Page No. 174)

Answer:
Below is a sample comparison of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC) based on their 2024 Lok Sabha election manifestos.

Question 7.
Find out the number of State parties and Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP). You may visit the website of ECI. (Page No. 176)
Answer:
According to the latest information available from the Election Commission of India (ECI):

• Recognised State Parties: 67
• Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs): 2,854 (before the 2025 delisting exercise)

Question 8.
Find out the name and the composition (number and name of the national and state parties) of the alliances that won in the following elections to the Lok Sabha. (Page No. 177)

Answer:

Year	Alliance Won	National Parties	State Parties (Names)
1977	Janata Alliance (Janata Party-led)	Janata Party, CPI(M) (supported in many areas but not a formal member)	DMK, Akali Dal, National Conference and other regional allies
1999	National Democratic Alliance (NDA)	BJP, Janata Dal (United)	Shiv Sena, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Trinamool Congress (AITC), DMK, National Conference, MDMK, PMK and others
2004	United Progressive Alliance (UPA)	Indian National Congress (INC), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)	DMK, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), PMK and others
2009	United Progressive Alliance (UPA)	INC, NCP	DMK, Trinamool Congress (AITC), National Conference, JMM, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and others
2014	National Democratic Alliance (NDA)	BJP	Shiv Sena, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Apna Dal, PMK and others
2019	National Democratic Alliance (NDA)	BJP, JD(U)	Shiv Sena, LJP, AIADMK, Apna Dal (S), SAD, AGP and others
2024	National Democratic Alliance (NDA)	BJP, JD(U)	Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Apna Dal (S), Janasena Party, Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), AGP and others

Question 9.
Look at the road to free and fair elections given below. Fill in the empty potholes with challenges after discussing them with your teachers and parents. How can we overcome these challenges? (Page No. 178)

Answer:
Challenges in Free and Fair Elections (Potholes):

• Intimidation of voters and candidates
• Misinformation and fake news
• Money power and vote buying

Overcoming Challenges:

• Strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by the Election Commission of India.
• Use of technology and monitoring systems to track fake news and misinformation.
• Strict legal action and punishment against vote buying and electoral violence.

Elections Class 9 Questions and Answers

Questions and Activities (Page No. 179-182)

Question 1.
What reforms have been introduced by the ECI to make voting more inclusive for the following groups?
(a) People with Disabilities
(b) Service Voters
(c) Senior Citizens-60 years and above; and 80 years and above
(d) Prisoners
(e) Persons in preventive detention
Answer:
The following reforms have been introduced by the ECI to make voting more inclusive.
(a) People with Disabilities (PwDs): The ECI ensures accessibility by improving infrastructure and using technology-based solutions. It also provides support through the Saksham App, which helps PwDs with voter registration, polling station details, and voting assistance.

(b) Service Voters: The ECI has introduced the ETPBS (Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System), allowing service voters to receive and cast postal ballots electronically from outside their constituency.

(c) Senior Citizens (60+ and 80+ years): Senior citizens are given special voting facilities for easier access. Those above 85 years of age can vote from home, ensuring greater convenience and participation.

(d) Prisoners: Prisoners are included in voter lists where eligible, and their voting rights are managed according to legal provisions, ensuring fair inclusion in the electoral process.

(e) Persons in Preventive Detention: Persons in preventive detention are also covered under electoral provisions, and their voting rights are regulated as per eligibility rules to ensure fair participation.

Question 2.
What are the various functions of the Election Commission of India? Which of these functions is most important for the conduct of free and fair elections? Explain.
Answer:
The various functions of the Election Commission of India are as follows.

• Preparation and revision of electoral rolls.
• Conducting elections for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, President and Vice-President.
• Registration of political parties and allocation of symbols.

The most important function is ensuring free and fair elections. This is crucial because it builds public trust, prevents malpractice, and ensures elections are conducted transparently and impartially, strengthening democracy.

Question 3.
Elections are the soul of a democracy. Do you agree? Why or why not?
Answer:
Yes, I agree that elections are the soul of democracy because they give citizens the right to choose their representatives and hold them accountable for their performance. Regular elections ensure that governments remain responsible to the people and can be replaced if they fail to fulfill public expectations. Elections promote equality, participation, and transparency, making the government truly representative of the people’s wishes. Without free and fair elections, democracy cannot function effectively.

Question 4.
Explain at least three differences between the national and state/regional political parties.
Answer:
The three differences between national and regional parties are as follows.

Basis	National Party	State/Regional Party
Area of Influence	Works across India	Works mainly within a state or region
Recognition	Recognised in multiple states by the ECI based on national criteria	Recognised within a particular state by ECI
Electoral Reach	Contests elections in many states and Lok Sabha elections widely	Mainly contests State Legislative Assembly elections and limited Lok Sabha seats
Objective	Focuses on national issues and policies	Focuses on regional issues and local needs

Question 5.
Why should you vote? Arrange the following in the descending order of your choice. Discuss the reasons for your choice.
(a) Opportunity to choose my representative
(b) Makes me a responsible person
(c) Opportunity to change the non-performing representative
(d) Strengthens democracy
Answer:
Descending order:
1. Strengthens democracy (d) – Voting is the foundation of democracy. Every vote helps in choosing a responsible government and ensures that the people’s voice is heard.
2. Opportunity to choose my representative (a) – Voting gives citizens the right to elect honest, capable, and responsible leaders who will represent their interests.
3. Opportunity to change the non-performing representative (c) – Elections allow voters to remove representatives who have not worked well and replace them with better candidates.
4. Makes me a responsible person (b) – Voting is an important civic duty. By voting, citizens actively participate in the democratic process and contribute to the nation’s development.

Question 6.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative of the ECI? Explain the objectives and the necessity of conducting SIR.
Answer:
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an initiative of the Election Commission of India to update, verify, and correct electoral rolls.
Objectives:

• To add new eligible voters, especially those who have turned 18 years.
• To remove names of deceased, duplicate, or ineligible voters.
• To correct errors in voter details and ensure accurate electoral rolls.

It is necessary to ensure updated voter lists so that every eligible citizen is included and no ineligible person is allowed to vote, ensuring free and fair elections.

Question 7.
Match the political party name with its symbol.

Answer:
1. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – Broom
2. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – Lotus
3. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) – Elephant
4. Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] – Hammer, Sickle and Star
5. Indian National Congress (INC) – Hand
6. National People’s Party (NPP) – Book

Question 8.
Read the case study below and answer the following questions.
Ishani and her mother were in the local market, the day before the state assembly elections. She noticed wall writing and campaign posters pasted everywhere. Large groups of campaigners were distributing pamphlets and raising slogans in support of the respective candidates. Ishani has turned 18 and will be voting for the first time. She had registered to vote through the ECI’S online portal. The next morning, she, along with her mother and her disabled elder brother, went to the polling station, which was well guarded by the police personnel. A wheelchair was made available to them, and volunteers guided them to the polling booth. Inside the polling booth, there were only three people who were performing all duties. Ishani had forgotten her voter ID card and Aadhaar card, but she was surprised as no one asked for them. After casting her vote, she was also able to see the WPAT slip. While leaving, she wondered how the police personnel vote, as they must be on duty from early morning till late evening. When she went home, she narrated her entire experience to her 89-year-old grandmother, who cast her vote from home.
(a) What initiatives were taken by the ECI to enable the voters to cast their vote?
(b) If Ishani was allowed to vote even without carrying her Voter ID card or Aadhaar card, which other document might she be carrying that is valid for voting?
(c) Cite examples of violations of the Model Code of Conduct.
(d) Give a suitable title to the passage.
(e) Find out how the police and army personnel cast their votes.
Answer:
(a) The following initiatives were taken by the ECI to enable the voters to cast their vote.

• Wheelchair facility and volunteer assistance were provided for persons with disabilities and elderly voters at polling stations.
• A home voting facility was provided to senior citizens above 85 years and eligible PwDs.
• WPAT system was used to help voters verify their vote and ensure transparency in the voting process.

(b) She might be carrying her name in the electoral roll (voter list) or any other approved identity proof as per ECI rules.
(c) The examples of violations of the Model Code of Conduct are

• Wall writings on public or private property.
• Campaign posters pasted on public or private places without permission.
• Loud slogans and mass campaigning in restricted or prohibited areas.

(d) “A Smooth and Inclusive Voting Experience”
(e) Police and army personnel vote through the ETPBS (Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System), where service voters receive and cast their votes electronically from their place of duty.

Question 9.
A comparative chart of three countries is given below. Based on the information given in the chart, answer the questions.

(a) What is the difference between having a voting right in a country with a multi-party system and another with a single-party system?
(b) In which of the above countries would you like to stay and why?
Answer:
(a) The differences between voting rights in a multi-party system and a single-party system are as follows.

Basis	Multi-party system	Single-party system
Choice of candidates	Voters have many parties and candidates to choose from, giving wider choice	Voters have only one party (or very limited options), so choice is restricted
Electoral Competition	Strong competition exists among different parties, making elections more meaningful	Little or no competition, as one party dominates the political system

(b) I would prefer to stay in a multi-party system country because it offers more political freedom, better choice of candidates, and healthy competition among parties. It also ensures accountability, as leaders can be replaced through elections if they do not perform well. This strengthens democracy and gives citizens a stronger voice in governance compared to a single-party system.

Question 10.
What are the challenges to conducting free and fair elections?
Answer:
The challenges to conducting free and fair elections are as follows.

• Misinformation and fake news that can mislead voters.
• Intimidation and unfair practices used to influence voters.
• Violation of the Model Code of Conduct and use of money or muscle power during elections.

Question 11.
On the Stage.
Elections are to be held in your school for the posts of Head Girl, Head Boy, and Sports Captain. Assume the roles of an Election Commissioner, Returning Officer, Polling Agent, Candidate, Campaigner, Polling Officer, Police Personnel, and a Journalist, and perform their roles while ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.
Answer:
The roles can be performed in a free, fair, and transparent school election.

• Election Commissioner: Plans and supervises the entire election process, announces rules, and ensures fairness.
• Returning Officer: Manages nominations, prepares the voter list, and conducts the counting of votes.
• Polling Officer: Conducts voting at the booth, verifies voters, and maintains order during polling.
• Polling Agent: Represents candidates inside the polling booth and ensures no malpractice occurs.
• Candidate: Presents manifesto, participates in debates, and follows election rules.
• Campaigner: Helps candidates by spreading their ideas peacefully without violating rules.
• Police Personnel: Maintains discipline and security at the polling station.
• Journalist: Reports the election process, highlights fairness, and informs the school community.

Question 12.
Try to make videos or audio on topics like: My Vote My Nation; No Voter to be Left Behind; How to Eliminate the III of Money Power, etc.
Answer:
Do it yourself.

Question 13.
Select one national or state political party. Using authentic and reliable sources such as the Election Commission of India (ECI) website, the official website of the selected political party, and newspapers. Prepare a comparative chart of the last two State Legislative Assembly elections. The chart should include the following details for the chosen party:
(a) Some promises made in the Election manifesto
(b) Percentage of votes polled
(c) Number of seats won
(c) Number of women who contested
(e) Number of women candidates elected
Present the data for both elections in a clear and comparative format, citing all sources used.
Answer:
I am using the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and comparing the last two Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections (2017 and 2022) based on reliable election data.
Comparative Chart: BJP in Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections (2017 vs 2022)

Details	2017 UP Assembly Election	2022 UP Assembly Election
(a) Manifesto promises	Development, jobs, farmer welfare, law and order improvement	Double-engine growth, welfare schemes, women’s safety, employment, infrastructure expansion
(b) Vote share (%)	About 39.7%	About 41.3%
(c) Seats won	312 seats	255 seats
(d) Women candidates contested	Around 43 women candidates	Around 44 women candidates
(e) Women candidates elected	Around 29 women MLAs	Around 38 women MLAs

Sources (Reliable):

• Election Commission of India (ECI)
• Statistical Reports of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections (2017 & 2022), ECI
• Official BJP website
• Major newspapers: The Hindu, Indian Express (election analysis reports)

Question 14.
Do you think ‘One Nation, One Election’ can improve the efficiency of the electoral process? Divide the class and discuss in two groups-one to examine its potential advantages and the other to analyse its limitations.
Answer:
Yes, I think ‘One Nation, One Election’ can improve the efficiency of the electoral process to a great extent. Conducting elections together can reduce government expenditure, save time and resources, reduce the burden on security forces and election officials, and allow governments to focus more on development instead of frequent election campaigns. It can also reduce the repeated enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, ensuring continuity in governance. However, there are also challenges, such as the difficulty of managing elections across the entire country at the same time, the possibility of national issues overshadowing state issues, and constitutional complications if a government falls before completing its term. Therefore, while the idea has several advantages, it also requires careful planning and broad political consensus before implementation.