Elections Class 9: Notes and Important Questions

Elections is Class 9 Social Science chapter 7. It explains why a democracy needs regular elections, how votes become seats, which laws and institutions keep elections free and fair, how parties are recognised, and what challenges remain. This guide follows the chapter in order, with key terms, a worked quota example, model answers and common mistakes.

Why elections matter

In a country as large and diverse as India, every citizen cannot take part directly in every decision. So we choose representatives. Periodic elections, usually every five years, keep them responsive: if people are unhappy, they can choose new leaders next time. Elections also give the government legitimacy, because its power comes from the consent of the governed.

The scientific study of elections is psephology, from the Greek word psēphos, meaning pebble, because ancient Greeks voted with pebbles.

Electoral systems: FPTP and proportional representation

An electoral system is the method that turns votes into seats.

First-Past-The-Post (FPTP), also called the plurality system, is used for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. The candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, even without more than 50% of the votes.

Proportional Representation (PR) by Single Transferable Vote (STV) is used for the Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Parishad, President and Vice President. Seats are shared in proportion to votes, giving wider representation of opinions.

Worked example: the STV quota. The chapter's formula is:

Quota = Total valid votes ÷ (Seats to be filled + 1) + 1

• 100 valid votes, 1 seat: 100 ÷ (1 + 1) = 50; 50 + 1 = 51 votes.
• 400 valid votes, 3 seats: 400 ÷ (3 + 1) = 100; 100 + 1 = 101 votes.

Bicameral states. Six states have two houses, a Vidhan Sabha and a Vidhan Parishad: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh. The Vidhan Parishad has members elected by the Vidhan Sabha, local bodies, graduates and teachers, plus members nominated by the Governor.

Election laws and delimitation

Corrupt practices include bribery, appealing for votes on the basis of religion, caste or language, and taking help from government-related personnel such as gazetted officers, judges, magistrates, and members of the armed forces or police.

Delimitation fixes the boundaries of constituencies. Boundaries change as population shifts, so that each representative serves roughly the same number of people. Article 82 provides for a Delimitation Commission; India has set up four, in 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002. Without delimitation, the idea of one person, one vote, one value would break down.

The Election Commission of India

The ECI is an autonomous constitutional body set up on 25 January 1950. Articles 324 to 329 give it superintendence, direction and control of elections. It is permanent and independent of the government. A Chief Electoral Officer helps at state level, and District Election Officers and Returning Officers at district level.

Its election cycle:

1. Electoral roll: updated through Special Intensive Revision (SIR), adding those who turned 18 and removing deceased or relocated voters.
2. Schedule: dates set after considering weather, farming cycles and school exams.
3. Registration: registering parties and allotting symbols; it also settles disputes on recognition and symbols as a quasi-judicial body.
4. Conduct: enforcing the Model Code of Conduct and running polling stations.
5. Results: counting votes and declaring winners.

Inclusion and technology. In the 2024 General Elections, home voting was offered to senior citizens above 85 and Persons with Disabilities with a 40% benchmark disability. EVMs carry Braille. The cVIGIL app lets citizens report Model Code violations in real time; Saksham helps PwDs register and find polling stations; Suvidha helps candidates seek rally permissions and track nominations. Service voters use the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS).

Parties, alliances and anti-defection

India has a multi-party system. Parties are National, State, or Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP).

Since 1967, India has moved from single-party dominance to alliances, such as the NDA, led by the BJP, and INDIA, reconstituted from the UPA in 2023.

The Anti-Defection Law came in 1985 through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act. A member who voluntarily leaves the party or votes against the party whip can be disqualified. The Speaker or Chairman decides. Some argue defection can also reflect conscience or changing public expectations.

Challenges to free and fair elections

• Fake news and misinformation spread through social media can sway voters or create communal disharmony.
• Money power and intimidation: buying votes or using muscle power. The ECI uses the Model Code of Conduct and security forces.
• VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) shows a printed slip with the candidate's name and symbol for seven seconds, so voters can check their vote and there is a paper trail for audits.

Remember this

• FPTP = most votes wins (Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha); STV = proportional (Rajya Sabha, President).
• RPA 1950 = preparation; RPA 1951 = conduct and disputes.
• Article 82 = Delimitation Commission; Articles 324–329 = ECI.
• Anti-Defection Law: 1985, 52nd Amendment.
• Psephology comes from psēphos, pebble.

Important questions with model answers

1. Why are periodic elections essential for accountability? Representatives must return to voters, usually every five years, for a fresh mandate, and can be voted out if they fail.

2. Differentiate between direct and indirect elections. In direct elections citizens choose representatives themselves (Lok Sabha). In indirect elections elected representatives choose the leaders (President, Rajya Sabha).

3. Find the STV quota for 200 valid votes and 1 seat. 200 ÷ (1 + 1) = 100; 100 + 1 = 101 votes.

4. What is the main difference between RPA 1950 and RPA 1951? RPA 1950 deals with preparation (seats, rolls, boundaries); RPA 1951 deals with conduct (nominations, campaigns, voting, disputes).

5. What is the main objective of delimitation? To keep the ratio of seats to population nearly equal across constituencies, giving fair representation.

6. What is the purpose of SIR? To update electoral rolls by adding new eligible voters and removing names of those who have died or moved.

7. How does cVIGIL empower citizens? Voters can report misconduct immediately; flying squads use its auto-location to reach the spot and act quickly.

8. What is defection and how is it controlled? Leaving the party one was elected under. The Anti-Defection Law (1985) lets the Speaker disqualify members who switch or defy the whip.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Saying FPTP winners need more than 50%. They only need the most votes.
• Swapping RPA 1950 and RPA 1951.
• Forgetting the final "+ 1" in the STV quota.
• Thinking the President is directly elected. It is an indirect election.

To practise more election questions, study this chapter with Joy.