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Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Class 8 Questions and Answers
Class 8 SST Chapter 5 Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Question Answer
The Big Questions
Question 1.
What is universal adult franchise?
Answer:
Universal adult franchise is an important feature of Indian democracy. It means that every Indian citizen aged 18 years and above has the right to vote in elections. Every vote has equal value, regardless of a person’s caste, creed, race, religion, gender, education, income or social status. This principle is included in Article 326 of the Indian Constitution and has been a defining feature of Indian democracy from the very beginning.
- Universal adult franchise gives all adult citizens an equal opportunity to participate in choosing their representatives and shaping the government.
- The Constitution makers adopted this principle at Independence because they believed that every citizen, whether educated or not, should have an equal voice in democracy.
- To exercise this right, a person must be registered as a voter in their constituency. No one can vote on another person’s behalf.
- Gertain individuals who have been found guilty of serious crimes may be disqualified from voting according to the law.
- Universal adult franchise promotes equality and ensures that governments remain accountable to all sections of society.
- This principle has helped make Indian democracy one of the largest and most inclusive democracies in the world.
Question 2.
What is an electoral system?
Answer:
An electoral system is the set of rules and procedures used to conduct elections and choose representatives. It determines how votes are cast, counted and converted into seats or positions. Different elections may use different electoral systems depending on their purpose.
- In Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, India follows the First-Past-the-Post system, in which the candidate who receives the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner.
- Under this system, a candidate does not need to secure more than half of the total votes; having more votes than any other candidate is enough to win.
- Some elections, such as those for the Rajya Sabhat, the President and the Vice President, use the Single Transferable Vote (SIV) system.
- Flectoral systems may involve direct elections, where citizens vote directly for their representatives, or indirect elections, where elected representatives choose other representatives or office holders.
- Different electoral systems are used to ensure that various institutions of government are represented and function effectively.
- Thus, the electoral system plays a crucial role in ensuring that democratic representation takes place in an organised and fair manner.
Question 3.
How does India’s electoral system work?
Answer:
India’s electoral system is a lange and wellorganised process that enables millions of citizens to participate in elections. It is designed to ensure that elections are conducted freely, fairly and efficiently across a vast and diverse country.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI), an independent constitutional body established in 1950, is responsible for conducting elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice President.
- Citizens who are 18 years of age or older and are registered as voters in their constituency are eligible to vote in elections.
- On election day, polling officials verify voters identities, mark their fingers with indelible ink and guide them through the voting process at polling stations.
- Votes are cast using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system allows voters to confirm that their vote has been recorded correctly.
- The Election Commission enforces the Model Code of Conduct to ensure that political parties and candidates follow fair practices during elections.
- Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections use the First-Past-the-Post system, while elections such as those for the Rajya Sabha use the Single Transferable Vote system.
- After voting and counting are completed, the candidates who receive the required support are declared elected, and the party or coalition with a majority of seats forms the government.
Class 8 Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Question Answer
InText Questions
Question 1.
India changed the minimum age for voting from 21 to 18 in 1988. Discuss whether this was a good move.
Answer:
Yes, this was a good move. By the age of 18 , many young people are aware of social and political issues and can make responsible decisions. Lowering the voting age gave more citizens the opportunity to participate in democracy and express their views. It also encouraged young people to take an interest in public affairs and contribute to the country’s future.
Question 2.
In 1947, our literacy rate was about 14 per cent, only about 8 per cent among women. Some argued that the right to vote should be given only to literate people. Discuss in your group why the Constitution makers may have decided on universal franchise from the time of Independence itself.
Answer:
The Constitution makers believed that every adult citizen should have an equal voice in democracy, whether educated or not. They felt that literacy should not decide a person’s right to vote. Restricting voting rights to literate people would have excluded a lange section of the population, especially women and disadvantaged groups. Universal franchise ensured equality and allowed all citizens to participate in nation-building from the very beginning.
Question 3.
Discuss in groups – What role do such (improved accessibility) measures play in a democracy?
Answer:
Accessibility measures help ensure that every eligible citizen can exercise the right to vote. Facilities such as home voting, braille-enabled voter cards, wheelchairs and ramps make elections more inclusive for elderly persons and persons with disabilities. These measures can increase voter participation by reducing difficulties faced by many voters. Technology can further help through online information, mobile apps, digital assistance and better communication about election services.
Question 4.
About 34 per cent of eligible voters did not exercise their right to vote in the 2024 elections. Why do you think this is so? What are some challenges people face in exercising their rights?
Answer:
Some people may not vote because of lack of awareness, work commitments, travel, illness or a feeling that their vote will not make a difference. Others may face difficulties such as long distances to polling stations, lack of proper information or physical challenges. Increasing voter awareness, improving accessibility and encouraging civic responsibility can help improve voter participation.
(Survey and report: To be attempted by students.)
Question 5.
Case Study: Election for Class Representative
(a) What are the most important aspects of the election process in this caselet?
Answer:
The most important aspects were fair campaigning, secret voting, equal opportunity for all candidates, accessibility for all students, transparent counting of votes and impartial supervision by the Election Officer. These ensured that the election was fair and democratic.
(b) Why was it important to have a secret ballot?
Answer:
A secret ballot allowed students to vote freely without fear of pressure or criticism from others. It protected the privacy of voters and helped ensure that their choices were honest and independent.
(c) What considerations might the students have had while exercising their choice?
Answer:
Students may have considered the promises made by the candidates, their leadership qualities, their ability to represent the class and the issues they wanted to address. They may also have thought about which candidate could best serve the interests of the class.
(d) Do you think the students have any responsibility after Gurmat was elected as the class rep? If yes, what are they?
Answer:
Yes, the students also have responsibilities after the election. They should cooperate with Gurmat, share their concerns and suggestions, and support activities that benefit the class. They should also hold their representative accountable for fulfilling her promises.
(e) What was the role that Ms. Usha played? Why was it important?
Answer:
Ms. Usha acted as the Election Officer. She organised the election, explained the rules, ensured secret voting, arranged voting facilities and supervised the counting process. Her role was important because it helped make the election fair, transparent and trustworthy.
(f) Why was it important for Ms. Usha to organise a braille ballot paper for Neha?
Answer:
The braille ballot paper ensured that Neha could vote independently and with dignity. It gave her the same opportunity to participate in the election as other students and made the process inclusive.
(g) What would happen if many students in the class chose not to mark a preference?
Answer:
Ballot papers without any marked preference would be treated as invalid votes and would not be counted. If many students did this, fewer valid votes would be available to determine the result, reducing the effectiveness of the election process.
Question 6.
Here are a few types of complaints that the ECI handles (Examples shown in figures include distributing gifts and money to voters, using abusive language against opponents, and government officials campaigning for the ruling party). Why do you think these might be violations of the code of conduct?
Answer:
These actions violate the Model Code of Conduct because they give some candidates an unfair advantage and may influence voters improperly. Distributing gifts or money can be seen as trying to buy votes. Using abusive language can disturb peaceful campaigning and lower the quality of public discussion. Government officials campaigning for a ruling party may amount to misuse of official position and government resources. Such actions affect the fairness of elections and are therefore not allowed.
Question 7.
Why do you think the above group of people* is not involved in electing the President of India? Why are the common people not involved in the election of the President?
(*The group includes nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, nominated members of State Legislative Assemblies, members of Legislative Councils, and nominated members from Delhi and Puducherry)
Answer:
The President is elected by an electoral college consisting of directly elected representatives. This ensures that the President is chosen through representatives who reflect the will of the people. Nominated members and certain other categories are not included because they are not directly elected by citizens. The common people do not vote directly for the President because India follows an indirect method of election for this office, which ensures representation of both the Union and the states in the election process.
Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System Question Answer Class 8
Questions and Activities
Question 1.
Why is universal adult franchise important for a healthy democracy?
Answer:
Universal adult franchise is important because it gives every adult citizen an equal right to participate in the democratic process. It ensures that people from all backgrounds can choose their representatives and have a voice in governance. It also promotes equality, strengthens democracy and helps keep governments accountable to the people.
Question 2.
What is the meaning of ‘secret ballot’? Why is this important in a democracy?
Answer:
A secret ballot is a voting method in which no one knows whom a voter has voted for. It protects the privacy of voters and allows them to make their choice freely without fear, pressure or influence from others. This helps ensure fair and honest elections.
Question 3.
Give examples of direct and indirect elections.
Answer:
In a direct election, citizens vote directly for their representatives. Elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies are examples of direct elections.
In an indirect election, elected representatives choose other representatives or office holders. Elections to the Rajya Sabha, as well as the elections of the President and Vice President of India, are examples of indirect elections.
Question 4.
How is the election of members to the Lok Sabha different from that to the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:
Members of the Lok Sabha are elected directly by the people through universal adult franchise. India is divided into constituencies, and voters choose their representatives through the First-Past-thePost system.
* Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected indirectly by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs). Rajya Sabha elections use the Single Transferable Vote system. Unlike the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha is a Permanent House and is never dissolved.
Question 5.
What, in your view, are the advantages of the EVM over paper ballots?
Answer:
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) make the voting process faster, simpler and more efficient. They reduce the chances of invalid votes and make counting quicker. EVMs are also easier to transport and store than large numbers of paper ballots. When used with VVPAT, they provide an additional way for voters to verify that their votes have been recorded correctly.
Question 6.
Voter turnout has been declining in some urban areas of India. What could be the reasons for this trend, and what steps can be taken to encourage more people to vote?
Answer:
Low voter turnout in urban areas may be caused by lack of awareness, busy work schedules, migration. travel or a feeling that one vote does not make a difference. Some people may also find the voting process inconvenient.
To encourage greater participation, awareness campaigns can be organised, voter information can be made easily available and polling facilities can be made more accessible. Citizens should also be encouraged to understand the importance of voting as a democratic responsibility.
Question 7.
Why do you think a proportion of seats in the Lok Sabha is reserved for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes? Write a short note.
Answer:
A proportion of seats in the Lok Sabha is reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to ensure that these communities are fairly represented in the country’s law-making body. Historically, many of these communities faced social and economic disadvantages. Reservation helps give them a voice in decision-making and ensures that their concerns and interests are represented in Parliament. This strengthens equality and inclusion in democracy.
Question 8.
Social media is changing the way we experience elections – from catchy campaign reels and live speeches to political debates on Instagram and Twitter. But is this strengthening democracy or confusing it? Discuss in pairs: What are the benefits, what are the challenges, and what might the future of elections be in a digital age?
Answer:
Social media has made it easier for political parties, candidates and citizens to share information and discuss public issues. It allows people, especially young voters. to access election-related information quickly and participate in political discussions.
However social media can also spread rumours, misleading information and biased content. Sonnetimes it becomes difficult for people to distinguish between facts and misinformation.
In the future, digital platforms may play an even greater role in elections. Therefore, citizens will need to use social media responsibly, verify information carefully and make informed decisions based on reliable sources.
Question 9.
Visit the website https://www.indiavotes.com and choose a parliamentary constituency election from any year and explore its results. Do the same for an assembly election in your state.
Answer:
(Ti) be allempted hy students. Answers will vary depending ou the parliamentary constituency, assembly constituency and election year selected.)