Which one of the following is not the demerit of direct election?

• An ordinary voter cannot make proper use of his vote

• An ordinary voter being a poor man may bargain for his vote

• An ordinary voter being indolent does not care to know as to who is a deserving candidate

• This system is quite cheap

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 :

Polling day

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.