NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political science (India Constitution at Work) Chapter 3 Election and Representation

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 11th

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Class : 11th

Subject : Political science

Chapter : 3

Chapter Name : Election and representation

Q1 Which of the following resembles most a direct democracy?

a. Discussions in a family meeting

b. Election of the class monitor

c. Choice of a candidate by a political party

d. Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha

e. Opinion polls conducted by the media

Answer. (d) Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha.

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Q2 Which of the following tasks are not performed by the Election Commission?

a. Preparing the Electoral Rolls

b. Nominating the candidates

c. Setting up polling booths

d. Implementing the model code of conduct

e. Supervising the Panchayat elections

Answer. (e) Supervising the Panchayat elections.

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Book : Indian Constitution at Work Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 3 Social Science Political Science

Page : 75 , Block Name : Questions

Q3 Which of the following is common to the method of election of the members of Rajya Sabha
and Lok Sabha?

a. Every citizen above the age of 18 is an eligible voter

b. Voter can give preference order for different candidates

c. Every vote has equal value

d. The winner must get more than half the votes

Answer. (a) Every citizen above the age of 18 is an eligible voter.

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Q4 In the First Past the Post system, that candidate is declared winner who

a. Secures the largest number of postal ballots

b. Belongs to the party that has highest number of votes in the country

c. Has more votes than any other candidate in the constituency

d. Attains first position by securing more than 50% votes

Answer. (c ) Has more votes than any other candidate in the constituency.

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Q5 What is the difference between the system of reservation of constituencies and the system
of separate electorate? Why did the Constitution makers reject the latter?

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Answer. The system of reservation of constituencies primarily deals with the system where the
seats of a particular constituency, which is to be contested are reserved for the underprivileged
or the lower castes pertaining to the stratified society. It aims towards a definite increment in the
participation and representation of the respective groups. On the other hand, the system of
separate electorate was the part of the “communal vote” of the Britishers. It only allowed the
people belonging to a particular community like Sikhs, Muslims etc to vote for their
representatives. It hinders the proper integrative inclination and unifying tendencies of the
governmental factions. The main reasons for the Constitution makers to reject the latter idea
was because of its “dividing implementation”, that was indeed the reflection of colonial policies
in India.

Q6 Which of the following statements are incorrect? Identify and correct them by substituting,
adding or rearranging only one word or phrase.

a. The FPTP system is followed for all the elections in India.

b. Election Commission does not supervise Panchayat and Municipal elections.

c. The President of India cannot remove an Election Commissioner.

d. Appointment of more than one Election Commissioners in the Election Commission is
mandatory.

Answer.

a.Incorrect. The FPTP system is followed for all elections in India except the elections of
President, Vice-President, Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad.

b. Correct.

c. Incorrect. The President can remove an Election Commissioner.

d. Incorrect. Appointment of more than one Election Commissioners in the Election Commission
is not mandatory.

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Book : Indian Constitution at Work Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 3 Social Science Political Science

Q7 Indian electoral system aims at ensuring representation of socially disadvantaged sections.
However, we are yet to have even 10 percent women members in our legislatures. What
measures would you suggest to improve the situation?

Answer. The measures that can improve the women political participation are:

(a) The creation of incentives for the women, to participate in the electoral and political
realms of imperativeness.
(b) To achieve the aim of establishing the affirmative action policy the women capital.
(c) To increase awareness among the social capital, about the quintessentials pertaining to
the augmentation participation of women.
(d) To empower the discourse pertaining to the women reservation in Lok Sabha.
(e) To plan the correct implementation, and introduce laws for the growth of women political
participation.

Q8 Here are some wishes expressed in a conference to discuss a constitution for a new
country. Write against each of these whether FPTP or Proportional Representation system is
more suited to meet each of these wishes.

a. People should clearly know who is their representative so that they can hold him or her
personally accountable.

b. We have small linguistic minorities who are spread all over the country; we should ensure fair
representation to them.

c. There should be no discrepancy between votes and seats for different parties.

d. People should be able to elect a good candidate even if they do not like his or her political
party.

Answer.

(a) FPTP
(b) Proportional Representation
(c) Proportional Representation
(d) FPTP

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Q9 A former Chief Election Commissioner joined a political party and contested elections. There
are various views on this issue. One view is that a former Election Commissioner is an
independent citizen and has a right to join any political party and to contest elections. According
to the other view, leaving this possibility open can affect the impartiality of the Election
Commission. So, former Election Commissioners must not be allowed to contest any elections.
Which position do you agree with and why?

Answer. The former Election Commissioners should not be allowed to contest the elections
because it will affect the “free and fair” sphere of the democratic conduct of elections. It will
affect the accountability and just mechanisms of the Election Commission.

Q10 “Indian democracy is now ready to shift from a crude First Past the Post system to a
system of Proportional Representation”. Do you agree with this statement? Give your reasons
for or against this statement.

Answer. Yes. Indian electoral system is ready for the definite change in its structure and
mechanisms. The shift is required as the former system is responsible for the creation of the
“majoritarian” form of the government where the equal position is not present between seats
and the votes given to a political party. The whole notion of “proportionality” is flawed as we take
the system of FPTP into consideration. The dire need of the structured political parties, primarily
to increase the participation of regional parties and to work towards the decentralisation of the
powers from the centre to the lower organs of governance are the major reasons for the
adoption of Proportional Representation system, rather than FPTP.

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