History & Civics [1 Mark Question Answer]

The Chief Election Commissioner and other Commissioners are appointed by the President.

It is generally said, ‘No elections, no democracy’. This saying is not without meaning, it simple words it devotes that without the elections a democratic government cannot be set up.

Secret ballot: It is the method of stamping ballot paper secretly and then placing the ballot paper in a sealed box or casting a vote on the Electronic Voting Machine by pressing a button.

The Election Commission tries to ensure free and fair elections through prescribing code of conduct, central observers, countermanding, severe punishment for booth capturing, etc.

The two functions are:

1.  Preparation of Electoral rolls
2.  The sole authority for superintendence and conduct of elections.

The Chief Commissioner is appointed by the President of India and is done at the behest of the Prime Minister as per Article 74.

Chief Election Commissioner is the head of the Election Commission.

The Last General Elections were held in India in the year 2019 in April and May.

The elections held to elect the members of the Lok Sabha after the expiry of the normal term of five years are called the General Elections.

Direct elections are held for electing M.L.A. and M.P. Indirect elections are held for M.L.C., members of Rajya Sabha, the President and Vice-President.

The normal term is of 6 years, but the retirement age is 65.

The Election Commissioners are appointed by the President of India.

This type of election is held when a State Legislative Assembly or the Lok Sabha is dissolved before the completion of its full term (5 years).

Election Commission allots the symbols to political parties.

The two measures that ensure free and fair elections in India are:

1. The Commission sends central observers to sensitive constituencies.
2. The Commission prescribes the code of conduct for the election campaigns.

The maximum limit of the expenses for a Parliamentary contest amounts at Rs. 15 lacs.

An Election Manifesto is a formal statement of the programme and objectives of a political party. The Manifesto contains programmers and promises for all sections of society.

The two techniques of Election Campaign are:

1. Public meetings and rallies are organised.
2. The candidates do door-to-door canvassing.

Two stages in the election process before the Election Campaign are:

1. Nomination of Candidates
2. Scrutiny of Nominations

Two powers (functions) of the Election Commission are:

1. Preparation of the Electoral Rolls.
2. Conduct of Elections.

The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed in the manner as a judge of the Supreme Court.

The term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner is six years.

The Chief Election Commissioner acts as the Chairman of the Election Commission.

The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Commissioners.

A Multi-Member Constituency is one, which elects more than one representative.

A Single-Member Constituency is one, which returns only one representative from each area.

The Rajya Sabha and Vidhan Parishad (State Legislative Council) are the two bodies, whose members are elected by Indirect Election.

The system of election to the office of the President of India is Indirect.

The election in which the voters directly choose their representatives to the legislatures is known as Direct Election.

A midterm-poll that is held in consequence to the dissolution of the Lok Sabha or the State Assembly before its term is over is called Midterm-Election.

A By-Election is held to choose a member of the Lok Sabha or that the State legislature “to replace a previous member who has resigned suddenly or died.”

The Lok Sabha election is said to be a General Election.

An enlightened electorate works out the election procedure keeping in view all the basic rules fixed for the election, in a disciplined manner with honesty and peace.

The Election Commission orders are poll within two or three days after the first polling, in case there is a threat to voters security or other genuine reasons prevailing.

The elections to Lok Sabha are held directly. People of India directly elect their representatives to the Lok Sabha.

In case any defeated candidate has a reasonable doubt about the rigging of elections, voter or a defeated candidate can file a petition in the court of law.

The ballot paper which is not properly stamped or bears more than one stamp is declared invalid.

The person who gets ‘the highest number of votes’ or the ‘simple majority’ is declared the winner.

This means that the voter chooses the candidates of his choice secretly.

The Returning officer has to scrutinise the nomination papers and has the authority to reject the nomination papers.

The Commission identifies eligible voters in each constituency and prepares the list of eligible voters. This is called ‘Voters List’.

The Election Commission also advises the President or the Governors of the State in respect of Electoral matters.

Election is a procedure whereby persons are chosen, by voting, to represent the voters for running the government.