Reviewing the Class 8 SST Extra Questions and Class 8 SST Chapter 5 Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Extra Questions before exams can boost your confidence.
Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Class 8 Extra Question Answer
Extra Questions of Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Class 8
Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Class 8 Very Short Question Answer
Question 1.
What is meant by a ‘constituency’?
Answer:
A constituency is a geographical area whose registered voters elect a representative to a legislative body such as the Lok Sabha or a State Legislative Assembly.
Question 2.
Who conducts elections to local bodies such as panchayats and municipalities?
Answer:
Elections to local bodies such as panchayats and municipalities are conducted by the State Flection Commissions.
Question 3.
Name the voting system used in Rajya Sabha elections.
Answer:
The Single Transferable Vote (STV) system is used in Rajya Sabha elections. This system allows electors to rank candidates in order of preference and ensures fair representation for both large and small states.
Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Class 8 Short Question Answer
Question 1.
Describe the key functions of the Election Commission of India.
Answer:
The Flection Commission of India (EC1) is an independent constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections. Its major functions include fixing election dates, registering political parties, enforcing the Model Code of Conduct and supervising the entire electoral process. It oversees voter registration, voting, counting of votes and declaration of results. The ECI also ensures the proper use of EVMs and VVPAT systems and works to maintain transparency, fairness and public confidence in elections.
Question 2.
How does the Election Commission ensure accessibility for all voters, including the elderly and people with disabilities?
Answer:
The Election Commission of India takes several steps to ensure that all eligible citizens can exercise their right to vote. It provides facilities such as home voting for certain elderly persons and persons with disabilities, postal voting for specific categories of voters, braille-enabled voter cards, wheelchairs and ramps at polling stations. Election officials also reach remote areas to help citizens vote. These measures make elections more inclusive and help ensure that no voter is left behind in the democratic process.
Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Class 8 Long Question Answer
Question 1.
Explain how universal adult franchise strengthens Indian democracy.
Answer:
Universal adult franchise is one of the most important features of Indian democracy. It means that every Indian citizen aged 18 years and above has the right to vote, regardless of caste, creed, religion, gender, education, income or social status. The Constitution makers adopted this principle from the very beginning because they believed that every citizen should have an equal voice in the democratic process.
- Universal adult franchise gives all adult citizens an equal opportunity to participate in choosing their representatives and influencing the country’s future.
- It ensures that every vote has equal value and that no person receives special voting rights because of wealth, education or social position.
- It allows people from all sections of society, including disadvantaged and marginalised groups, to take part in the electoral process.
- It helps make governments more representative because leaders are chosen by a broad section of the population.
- It encourages citizens to take an interest in public affairs and become active participants in democracy.
- It helps keep elected representatives accountable to the people, as voters can reward good performance or vote out leaders who fail to meet their expectations.
- By giving all citizens a voice in governance, universal adult franchise strengthens equality, participation and public trust in democratic institutions.
Thus, universal adult franchise is the foundation of a democratic system in which every adult citizen has the right to participate equally in the governance of the country.
Question 2.
What is the Model Code of Conduct and why is it important in maintaining fair elections?
OR
Explain the significance of the Model Code of Conduct and reforms introduced by T.N. Seshan.
Answer:
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines that political parties, leaders and candidates must follow during elections. It helps ensure that elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner. The MCC was first introduced in Kerala in 1960 and was later adopted more widely under the supervision of the Election Commission of India.
- The Code helps create a level playing field by ensuring that all parties and candidates compete under the same rules.
- It prevents the misuse of government resources and prohibits the announcement of new schemes or projects that may influence voters during elections.
- It discourages unfair practices such as offering gifts, money or other benefits in exchange for votes.
- It promotes responsible campaigning by discouraging abusive language, personal attacks and actions that may disturb peace and harmony.
- The Election Commission monitors compliance with the Code and takes action when violations are reported.
- T.N. Seshan, who served as Chief Election Commissioner from 1990, played a major role in strengthening the election process. He enforced election rules more strictly and increased public confidence in the Election Commission.
- He promoted the use of voter identity cards to reduce proxy voting and improve the accuracy of voter identification.
- He also monitored election spending more closely and worked to prevent the misuse of official machinery during election campaigns.
- His reforms made elections more transparent, accountable and credible, helping to strengthen democratic practices in India.
Thus, the Model Code of Conduct and the reforms introduced by T.N. Seshan have played an important role in ensuring that elections remain fair, transparent and trustworthy.
Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Class 8 Case Based Questions
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
1. India is the world’s largest democracy. Every Indian citizen aged 18 years and above has the right to vote, regardless of caste, religion, gender, education or income. This principle is known as universal adult franchise. Elections in India are conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI), an independent constitutional body.
During elections, voters cast their votes using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) allows voters to check that their vote has been recorded correctly. To ensure fair elections, political parties and candidates must follow the Model Code of Conduct. They are not allowed to offer gifts or money to influence voters.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, special arrangements such as home voting for certain elderly persons and persons with disabilities, braille-enabled voter cards, wheelchairs and ramps were provided. These measures helped make elections more accessible and encouraged greater participation in the democratic process. They also ensured that more eligible citizens could exercise their right to vote and that no voter was left behind.
(i) What is meant by universal adult franchise:
Answer:
Universal adult franchise means that every Indian citizen aged 18 years and above has the right to vote, regardless of their background.
(ii) Name one technology used in Indian elections and state its purpose.
Answer:
The VVPAT system is used in elections. It allows voters to verify that their vote has been recorded correctly.
(iii) Why does the Election Commission provide facilities such as home voting, braille-enabled voter cards and wheelchairs during elections?
Answer:
Facilities such as home voting, braille-enabled voter cards and wheelchairs help remove barriers that may prevent some people from voting. They ensure that elderly persons, persons with disabilities and other eligible citizens can participate more easily in the democratic process.
Class 8 Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Extra Questions for Practice
Question 1.
Before independence, what percentage of Indians were allowed to vote?
(a) 50 %
(b) 25 %
(c) 13 %
(d) 8 %
Question 2.
Which democratic value is best expressed through universal adult franchise?
(a) Equality
(b) Hierarchy
(c) Aristocracy
(d) Authority
Question 3.
The Lok Sabha has constituencies reserved for Scheduled Castes.
(a) 84
(b) 47
(c) 233
(d) 543
Question 4.
Who is the head of the Election Commission of India?
(a) Chief Justice of India
(b) Prime Minister
(c) Chief Election Commissioner
(d) Home Minister
The following questions consist of two statements – Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer these questions by selecting the correct option:
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Question 5.
Assertion (A) : Universal adult franchise in India includes both men and women.
Reason (R) : India granted women the right to vote from the very beginning of independence.
Question 6.
Assertion (A) : The President of India is directly elected by all citizens.
Reason (R) : An Electoral College of MPs and MLAs elects the President.
Question 7.
The voting age in India was reduced from 21 vears to ____ years in 1988.
Question 8.
The Rajya Sabha is dissolved every five years after general elections.
Question 9.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
Reserved Representation and Inclusive Democracy
Anita, a young teacher from a Scheduled Tribe, decided to contest elections from a reserved constituency. She explained to her community that reservation was not a favour but a constitutional right ensuring representation for groups historically deprived of power. Before independence, marginalised castes and tribal communities rarely held political positions. The Constitution changed that by reserving seats for Scheduled Castes (SCS) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. In the Lok Sabha, 84 seats are reserved for SCs and 47 for STs, out of 543 total seats. Anita’s campaign focused on education and healthcare for tribal women.
* Her victory inspired young girls to believe they too could lead. Through reserved representation, India ensures that democracy includes every voice, especially those once unheard.
(a) How many seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha?
(b) Why does Anita consider reservation a right rather than a favour?
(c) How does reserved representation strengthen Indian democracy?
Question 10.
What is meant by universal adult franchise?
Question 11.
Name the voting technology used in Indian elections that allows voters to verify their votes.
Question 12.
Who was T.N. Seshan? Mention one reform introduced by him.
Question 13.
Explain the difference between direct and indirect elections with examples from Indian electoral system.
Question 14.
Describe how the Election Commission of India ensures free and fair elections in India.
OR
Explain the role of informed voters in strengthening democracy. What challenges does India’s electoral system face today?