Chapter 3 - Democracy in Action
1) Give one word for the following: -
1. The right to vote to all adult citizens without discrimination
Ans: - Universal Adult Franchise.
2. Who conducts the election in India?
Ans: -The Election Commission of India.
3. Where was the first secret ballet introduced and when?
Ans: -Australia in 1856
4. A document issued by every party before a general election
having the party’s policy and programmes?
Ans: -An Election Manifesto
5. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner?
Ans: -The President.
6. A representative elected to the Lok Sabha
Ans: -Member of Parliament.
7. A representative elected to the State Assembly?
Ans: -Member of the Legislative Assembly
8. The main officer responsible for conducting election in the
constituency
Ans: -Returning officer.
2) Give Short answers for the following: -
1. How is Gram Sabha an example of direct democracy? How
do people living in cities and town exercise their political
power?
Ans: -The Gram Sabha is an example of direct democracy at
the Village level, where the villagers come together and take
decision for themselves.
People in the towns and cities exercise their political
power, indirectly through election.`
2. Write two conditions when the citizens are unable to enjoy
voting rights?
Ans: (i)Certain individual or group try to prevent other
people from voting by use of force or threats
-(ii) some candidates or a party spread baseless rumours
against other candidates to prevent people from voting for
that candidate.
3. Write a short note on the election campaign?
Ans:- Parties appeal to the voters to vote for them. They
make use of various methods of convincing including public
meeting, wall posters, roadside hoarding, banners,
handbills, corners or caupal meetings.
4. Why is a political party called a voluntary association?
Ans: - A political party is a voluntary association of
individual citizens because individuals join it on their own.
No person can be compelled to join or not to join a party of
his or her choice.
5. Distinguish between reserved and free symbols.
Ans :-
Reserved Symbols Free Symbols
i) A Reserved symbol can be i) Free Symbols are those
used only by the candidates of that are not served for any
party are called free symbols.
that party.
ii) Eg. Hand (congress) lotus ii) Eg, candidates of
(BJP.), Elephant (BSP) etc. unrecognized parties are
independent to choose from
the free symbols.
3) Answer in detail: -
1. Why is a secret ballot an essential feature of democratic
elections?
Ans: -People having freedom of choice to elect their
representatives without any interference. This requires
secrecy even after voting that is in whose favour a voter has
cast her or his vote. Thus a secret ballot is an essential
feature of democratic elections.
2. Write three functions of a political party.
Ans: -Three functions of a political party are as follows:
I. Contest elections by selecting candidates to contest
elections from various constituencies and conduct
election campaigns for its candidates.
II. Help to formulate public opinion, give expression to
public opinion and place it before the government.
III. Form the government after winning the majority and if
it fails it to secure a majority then function as the
opposition
3. Under what condition does a political party get recognized as
a national party?
i. The candidates put up by the party in any four or more
states, at the last general Lok Sabha elections or to the
Assembly of the state concerned having secured at
least six percent of the total votes at the general
elections and minimum four of them have been elected
to the Lok Sabha from any state.
ii. At the last general elections to the Lok Sabha the party
has won at least two percent of the total seats.
iii. The party is recognized as a state party in at least four
states
4. Hots Questions: -
I. How does the independence of the election commission
make elections democratic in India.?
Ans: -
i)The election commission is the independent body
entrusted with the responsibility of conducting free and
fair elections
ii) The power of elections Commission is to hold
elections peacefully. the election commission is not
even under the president of the government
iii) It may order the party /candidates to follow
guidance to prevent misuse of power
