Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System
Short Questions
1. What is universal adult franchise?
Answer:- Every adult citizen aged 18 and above has the right to vote.
2. What does ‘franchise’ mean?
Answer:- A right granted by the constitution or government, also called suffrage.
3. When did India lower the voting age from 21 to 18?
Answer:- In 1988.
4. What is a constituency?
Answer:- An area whose voters elect a representative to a legislative body.
5.Who cannot vote in India?
Answer:- People guilty of serious crimes.
6.How many voters were eligible in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?
Answer:- About 980 million.
7.What is the full form of ECI?
Answer:- Election Commission of India.
8.When was the ECI established?
Answer:- In 1950.
9.What is NOTA?
Answer:- None Of The Above, an option to reject all candidates.
10.What is the term of a Rajya Sabha member?
Answer:- Six years.
11.Who nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha?
Answer:- The President of India.
12.What does MCC stand for?
Answer:- Model Code of Conduct.
13.What system does India use for Lok Sabha elections?
Answer:- First-Past-the-Post.
14. What is VVPAT?
Answer:- Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail, a paper record to verify votes.
15. How many Lok Sabha constituencies are there?
Answer:- 543.
Long Questions
1. Why is universal adult franchise important in India?
Answer:- It ensures every adult citizen gets one equal vote, without discrimination based on caste, religion, or wealth. This promotes equality, civic engagement, and allows people to choose their future and hold leaders accountable.
2.How does the Election Commission of India help people with disabilities vote?
Answer:- The ECI provides braille voter cards, wheelchairs, ramps, and home voting for the elderly and disabled. These measures remove barriers, increase participation, and make voting fair for everyone.
3.Explain the process of voting in Lok Sabha elections.
Answer:- Voters check their name on the list, get inked, mark their choice on the EVM, and verify the slip in VVPAT. The candidate with the most votes wins under the First-Past-the-Post system.
4.What is the role of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in elections?
Answer:- The MCC sets rules for fair elections, like no new schemes by the government or gifts to voters. It ensures peaceful campaigning and stops misuse of power or money to influence votes.
5.How are members of the Rajya Sabha elected?
Answer:- 233 members are elected by state MLAs using the single transferable vote system, based on state population. The Rajya Sabha is permanent, with one-third retiring every two years for continuity.
6.Describe how the President of India is elected.
Answer:- The President is elected by an electoral college of MPs and MLAs from states and some UTs, using single transferable vote. This indirect method ensures support from both national and state levels.
7.What challenges does India’s electoral system face?
Answer:- Challenges include money influence in elections, candidates with criminal records, and low voter turnout in cities. Solutions involve voter education, media awareness, and encouraging responsible voting.
8.Why did India adopt universal franchise right after Independence?
Answer:- Despite low literacy, leaders believed in the common person’s wisdom and aimed for true democracy. It was rooted in India’s ancient traditions and ensured equality for all, including women.
9.How is the Vice President of India elected?
Answer:- The Vice President is elected by MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha using single transferable vote. They chair the Rajya Sabha and act as President if needed.
10.What is the difference between direct and indirect elections in India?
Answer:- Direct elections, like Lok Sabha, involve voters choosing MPs or MLAs directly. Indirect elections, like Rajya Sabha or President, have elected representatives like MLAs voting for the members.
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