Here are some reports of malpractices in Indian elections. Identify what the problem in each case is? What should be done to correct the situation?

Opposition parties alleged that their statements and campaign were not given due attention on Doordarshan and All India Radio.

Surekha is an officer in-charge of ensuring free and fair elections in an assembly constituency in a state. Describe what should she focus on for each of the following stages of election:

Counting day.

The table given ahead gives the proportion of different communities among the candidates who won elections to the US Congress. Compare these to the proportion of these communities in the population of the US. Based on this, would you suggest a system of reservations in the US Congress? If yes, why and for which communities? If no, why not?

Can we draw the following conclusions from the information given in this chapter? Give two facts to support your position for each of these.

Election Commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair elections in the country.

Can we draw the following conclusions from the information given in this chapter? Give two facts to support your position for each of these.

There is high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.

Can we draw the following conclusions from the information given in this chapter? Give two facts to support your position for each of these.

It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.

Can we draw the following conclusions from the information given in this chapter? Give two facts to support your position for each of these.

Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.

Chinappa was convicted for torturing his wife for dowry. Satbir was held guilty of practicing untouchability. The court did not allow either of them to contest elections. Does this decision go against the principles of democratic elections?

Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world. Is there anything that these countries can learn from India to improve their elections? What would you suggest in each case?

• During an election in Nigeria, the officer-in-charge of counting votes deliberately increased the votes of one candidate and declared him elected. The court later found out that more than five lakh votes cast for one candidate were counted in favour of another.

Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world. Is there anything that these countries can learn from India to improve their elections? What would you suggest in each case?

• Just before elections in Fiji, a pamphlet was distributed warning voters that a vote for former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhury will lead to bloodshed. This was a threat to voters of Indian origin.

Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world. Is there anything that these countries can learn from India to improve their elections? What would you suggest in each case?

• In the US, each state has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting and its own authority for conducting elections. Authorities in the state of Florida took many controversial decisions that favoured Mr. Bush in the presidential elections in 2000. But no one could change those decisions.