Chapter 22. People’s Participation in the Democratic Process Textbook Solutions

NIOS Social Science Class 10 Chapter 22 Solutions

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.1

1. What do you mean by people’s participation in the democratic process?

Ans: People’s participation includes voting in elections, it is also expressed through public debates, newspaper editorials, protest demonstrations and their active involvement in governmental programmes. Even in respect of the election process, it includes participation in the campaign, political discussion, working for political parties and standing as candidates.

2. Are ‘public opinion’ and ‘voice of the people’ synonyms? Give reasons to your answer.

Ans: ‘Voice of the people’ and ‘public opinion’ do not mean the same. Public opinion is not the unanimous opinion of the people, nor is it the opinion of the majority. Public opinion is an organised and considered opinion of the people on any issue of public concern. Public opinion can also be defined as the complex collection of opinions of many different people and the sum of all their views.

3. Explain the importance of Public Opinion in a democracy.

Ans: Public opinion plays an important role in a democracy. A democratic government draws its authority from the people and claims its legitimacy from the consent of the governed. No government can function without the support of the people.

The process of development of public opinion generates thinking, promotes awareness and invites people’s views on issues of public concern. An alert and free public opinion is a check on absolute power, and it promotes a process to be responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people. It also influences government in making laws in the interest of the people.

4. List any two agencies which help in the formation of public opinion? Which agency according to you has the most powerful impact on public opinion?

Ans: Two agencies which help in the formation of public opinion are Print media and electronic media.

Write the answer to the second part based on your understanding and experience.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.2

1. Examine the importance of elections in India.

Ans: Elections provide opportunities to the people to participate actively in the functioning of the democratic government. These are the most important expressions of public opinion, as they enable the people to express their will. Elections also widen the scope of political awakening among the masses and educate them by familiarising them with issues of public concern. They facilitate peaceful transfer of power from one political party or one group of political parties to another and legitimise the working of the government by justifying the authority of representatives who lead people.

2. What do you mean by direct and indirect elections?

Ans: In direct elections, people vote directly through their ballot to elect their representatives to legislative bodies (Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies) and local government institutions. In indirect elections, the elected representatives of the people vote for persons to occupy certain positions. The President and the Vice-President of India are indirectly elected. The members of the Rajya Sabha are also elected indirectly.

3. Fill in the blanks

1. Elections held after the expiry of the full term of the legislatures are known as ……………………

Ans: General Elections

2. If the elections are held before the completion of the normal term of the legislature owing to the dissolution of legislative bodies, these are called ……………………

Ans: Mid-term Elections

3. An election held in a particular constituency owing to a vacancy caused by resignation or death of the elected member, or when the election of a particular member is set aside by the judiciary is known as ……………………

Ans: Bye Election

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.3

1. How is the Election Commission constituted?

Ans: The Election Commission consists of a Chief Election Commissioner and such a number of Election Commissioners as the President may fix in accordance with the law. At present, the Election Commission of India consists of a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.

2. What according to you are the two most critical functions of the Election Commission?

Ans: The two important functions of the Election Commission are

(i) Ensuring free and fair elections in the country;
(ii) supervision, direction and control of the entire election machinery.

3. Who are the main election officials from state level to the level of polling booth?

Ans: For the conduct of elections, the Election Commission is assisted by a number of officials. The main election officers are the Chief Electoral Officer of the State, District Election Officers, Electoral Registration Officers, Returning Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, and Polling officers.

4. If you are assigned the task of acting as a Returning Officer, what main functions will you perform and how will you ensure free, fare and peaceful poll in the constituency?

Ans: The following are the main functions performed by a returning officer:

(a) receives and scrutinises the nomination papers of the candidates contesting elections
(b) allots election symbols on behalf of the Election Commission
(c) conducts smooth elections in the constituency(ies)
(d) ensures counting of votes, and (e) declares the election results.

5. What are the five major stages of electoral process in India?

Ans: The five major stages of the electoral process in India are:

(i) Delimitation of constituencies is the first step, which is undertaken by the Delimitation Commission;
(ii) preparation and revision of the electoral roll constitute the next step done under the supervision of the Election Commission periodically;
(iii) consequent upon the President’s and Governor’s notifications, the Election Commission undertakes the task of conducting elections in the country;
(iv) the election schedule is announced, indicating the dates for filling the nomination papers, their scrutiny, withdrawals, polling, counting of the votes, and declaration of the election results;
(v) allotment of election symbols to the candidates and the political parties is done by the Election Commission.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 22.4

1. Universal adult franchise ensures that the vote of every Indian citizen is equally valuable. Do you think that this has been able to reduce inequalities related to class, caste, gender and religion? Justify your viewpoint.

Ans: Universal adult franchise means a system in which all adults, men and women, without any discrimination, have the right to vote in the elections. In many ways Universal Adult Franchise has provided opportunities to people to participate in election processes despite differences of class, caste, gender and religion. It has enriched our democracy by giving equal opportunity to all persons. Today, people of all castes and classes have an opportunity to vote. However, we cannot say that the inequalities in our society have completely gone, that persons belonging to different castes, classes and genders are still discriminated against. Real equality can only be brought in once there is a change in the attitude and behaviour of ordinary citizens, and they stop discrimination at all levels in their personal lives as well at the societal level.

2. Mention any three problems that are confronted by the electoral system in India.

Ans: Three problems confronting the electoral system in India are:

(a) rigging of the elections – fake and bogus voting, impersonation;
(b) violence during elections
(c) adverse role of money and muscle power.

3. Mention any two electoral reforms you think are important to improve our electoral system.

Ans:

(i) The functioning of political parties is to be regulated to ensure that they function transparently and democratically. There is a need to audit their expenditure incurred during the elections;
(ii) electoral laws to be made more stringent, and there must be provisions for harsher punishment.

TERMINAL EXERCISES

1. What do you mean by people’s participation in the democratic process? Do you think, casting votes in elections is the be-all and end-all of people’s participation? Give reasons.

Ans: We vote to elect our representatives who form and run the government. Casting votes in elections is not the be-all and end-all of people’s participation. People’s participation is also expressed through public debates, newspaper editorials, protest demonstrations and their active involvement in governmental programmes. Even in respect of the election process, it includes participation in campaigns, political discussion, working for political parties and standing as candidates.

2. Define Public Opinion and discuss its importance in a democracy.

Ans: Public opinion is an organised and considered opinion of the people on any issues of public concern. Public opinion can also be defined as the complex collection of opinions of different people and the sum of all their views.

The following roles of public opinion are especially important for democracy

1. An alert and free public opinion is a check on absolute power.
2. Ensures a system in which no organ of the government overrules others;
3. Promotes a process to be responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people;
4. Influences the government in making laws in the interest of the people;
5. Strengthens democratic values and norms; and
6. Protects rights, freedoms and liberty: ‘eternal vigilance’ is rightly called the price of liberty, i.e. every citizen needs to be vigilant to protect democratic values.

3. Give any four agencies which help to formulate public opinion. Which agency according to you has the most powerful impact on public opinion?

Ans:

1. Print Media: Newspapers, periodicals, magazines, and other print materials and several other published items on almost all the critical public issues update the individual views and opinions. These also assimilate and concretise varied views and opinions and help them evolve as public opinion. These media instruments also facilitate the communication of public opinion to all concerned.
2. Electronic Media: Cinema, radio, T.V. channels and now cell phones have emerged as perhaps the most effective tools that contribute to the formulation of public opinion. Their audio-visual mode helps a great deal in assimilating views and opinions expressed even in the remotest part of the country. They help in converting views into the most representative public opinion and also in communicating it to all concerned.
3. Political Parties: The political parties and their leaders feed the people with facts and ideas. We hear and see the leaders of political parties undertaking padyatras, rathyatras and workers of political parties conducting mass awareness activities about their programmes and policies. These contribute a great deal to the formulation of public opinion.
4. Legislatures: The impact of the legislatures, Parliament and State Legislatures are places where most of the discussions and debates on all the critical issues of public policy and public welfare take place. These are watched and heard by the vast majority of the population. The legislature’s platform provides authentic information and ideas on which public opinion is effectively formulated.
5. Educational Institutions: Different educational institutions also help create public opinion. Our schools, colleges, universities and professional institutes leave a permanent impact on our minds. These formal educational institutions impart political education and contribute to the formation of public opinion as well.

4. Examine the role of elections in Indian democratic system. Discuss the types of elections that are held in the country.

Ans: Elections are the most important expressions of public opinion, as they enable the people to express their will. They,

Provide opportunities to the people to participate actively in the functioning of the democratic government.
Widen the scope of political awakening among the masses and educate them by familiarising them with issues of public concern.
Facilitate the peaceful transfer of power from one political party or one group of political parties to another and legitimise the working of the government by justifying the authority of representatives to lead people.

Firstly, we have direct and indirect elections.

In direct elections, people vote directly through their ballot to elect their representatives to legislative bodies (Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies) and local government institutions.
In indirect elections, the elected representatives of the people vote for persons to occupy certain positions. The President and the Vice-President of India are indirectly elected. The members of the Rajya Sabha are also elected indirectly. Moreover, a certain percentage of members of the Legislative Councils (that are present in some of the States) are indirectly elected by the members of the concerned Legislative Assemblies.

There are three categories of elections. These are:

(a) General Elections: General Elections are held all over the country, for the Lok Sabha and/or for the State Legislative Assemblies. Such elections are held after the expiry of the full term of the legislature.
(b) Mid-term Elections: If the elections are held before the completion of the normal term of the legislature owing to the dissolution of legislative bodies, these are called Mid-term Elections.
(c) Bye-elections: Bye-elections are held in a particular constituency owing to a vacancy caused by the resignation or death of the elected member, or when the election of a particular member is set aside by the judiciary.

5. What are the major functions of the Election Commission of India? What are the major stages of election process?

Ans: The main functions of the Election Commission of India are as follows:

1. Ensure free and fair elections in the country;
2. supervise, direct and control the entire election machinery; preparation of the electoral roll;
3. provide recognition to political parties and register them as national and state parties;
4. allotment of symbols to political parties and the numerous independent candidates contesting the elections;
5. issuing guidelines and code of conduct for the election officials, candidates, and political parties during the elections;
6. redressal of election complaints received from the voters, the candidates and the political parties;
7. appointment of electoral officials; and
8. advising the President on matters relating to elections.

The major stages of the election process are,

1. Delimitation of constituencies is the first step, which is undertaken by the Delimitation Commission.
2. Preparation and revision of the electoral roll constitute the next step done under the supervision of the Election Commission periodically.
3. Consequent upon the President’s and Governor’s notifications, the Election Commission undertakes the task of conducting elections in the country.
4. The election schedule is announced, indicating the dates for filling the nomination papers, their scrutiny, withdrawals, polling, counting of the votes, and declaration of the election results.
5. Allotment of election symbols to the candidates, and the political parties is done by the Election Commission.
6. The candidates and the political parties are given time for election campaigns by the Election Commission.
7. Re-poll, if necessary, in a constituency or in a part of the constituency, is done only on the orders of the Election Commission.
8. Countermanding of an election is done when a duly nominated candidate belonging to a recognised political party dies any time after the last date of withdrawals of the nomination papers and the commencement of the polling. The countermanding orders are issued by the Election Commission.
9. The election disputes such as improper rejection of nomination papers of the candidate(s), use of unfair or corrupt means during the elections, bribing and intimidating of voters, or the use of official machinery are probed by the judiciary, i.e. the High Court, and through appeals by the Supreme Court.

6. What is meant by Universal Adult Franchise? Explain its significance.

Ans: ‘Universal’ means commonly applicable to all persons, without any discrimination; ‘adult’ means a person who is a major and not a minor; ‘franchise’ means an individual’s right to cast his/her vote. Universal adult franchise thus means a system in which all adults, men and women, without any discrimination, have a right to vote in the elections. But all adults do not include those who are legally barred from voting.

The concept of universal adult franchise is based on the principle of political equality: one person, one vote; no one has more than one vote. It helps ensure the liberty of the people and helps secure the protection of rights. It is educational insofar as it widens the scope of people’s participation.

7. In India, where we see many inequalities related to class, caste, gender, religion, how successful do you think is universal adult franchise?

Ans: Universal adult franchise thus means a system in which all adults, men and women, without any discrimination, have a right to vote in the elections. But all adults do not include those who are legally barred from voting. There is no discrimination when enrolling for the voter’s list in India.

8. Discuss any four major problems confronted by the electoral system in India.

Ans: The major problems confronted by the electoral system in India include,

Rigging of the elections- fake and bogus voting, impersonation
Violence during elections
Adverse role of money and muscle power
Intimidation of voters, especially the people of weaker sections
Misuse of governmental machinery
Booth capturing and criminalization in both elections and politics

9. Do you think there is an urgent need to effect electoral reforms in India? What are the major recommendations for bringing about election reforms?

Ans: Yes, there is an urgent need to effect electoral reforms in India. A tentative list of suggested electoral reforms is as follows:

1. Democratization of the electoral system should be made from time to time to keep the electoral system in pace with changing times.
2. Change from the on-going system (plurality system) to some form of proportional representation to be introduced to reduce the votes-seats imbalance.
3. The functioning of political parties is to be regulated to ensure that they function transparently and democratically. There is a need to audit their expenditure incurred during the elections.
4. Electoral laws to be made more stringent, and there must be provisions for harsher punishment.
5. State funding of elections to be introduced to reduce and curb election expenses.
6. Special provision to be made to ensure at least one-third representation of women in Parliament and State legislatures;
7. Role of money and muscle power to be curbed during the elections;
8. Criminalization of politics to be stopped in the elections.
9. Candidates with any criminal record are to be barred from contesting elections; and
10. A complete ban is to be imposed on the use of caste and religious appeals in election campaigns.

10. Make an Action Plan for the Election Commission, for bringing about reforms in the process of electoral campaigning. The Plan should help promote effective dissemination of information among the general public, about political parties and candidates.

Ans:

(i) a scheme for the use of State owned Electronic Media for broadcast/telecast by political parties
(ii) restrictions on Opinion and Exit Polls (because these polls might influence voters)
(iii) checking criminalisation of politics
(iv) computerisation of electoral rolls
(v) providing electors with Identity Cards
(vi) simplifying the procedure for maintenance of accounts and filing of the same by candidates
(vii) a variety of measures for strict compliance of Model Code of Conduct for providing a level playing field to contestants during the elections.