NCERT Solutions for Understanding Society: India and Beyond (Part 1) Chapter 7 Elections

What reforms have been introduced by the ECI to make voting more inclusive for the following groups? a. People with Disabilities b. Service Voters c. Senior Citizens— above 85 years of age d. Prisoners e. Persons in preventive detention

What are the various functions of the Election Commission of India? Which of these functions is most important for the conduct of free and fair elections? Explain.

Elections are the soul of a democracy. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Explain at least three differences between the national and state/regional political parties.

Why should you vote? Arrange the following in the descending order of your choice. Discuss the reasons for your choice. a. Opportunity to choose my representative b. Makes me a responsible person c. Opportunity to change the non-performing representative d. Strengthens democracy

What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative of the ECI? Explain the objectives and the necessity of conducting SIR. 180 Understanding Society: India and Beyond Grade 9 – Part 1

Read the case study below and answer the following questions. Ishani and her mother were in the local market, day before the state assembly elections. She noticed wall writing and campaign posters pasted everywhere. Large groups of campaigners were distributing pamphlets and raising slogans in support of the respective candidates. Ishani has turned 18 and will be voting for the first time. She had registered to vote through the ECI’s online portal. The next morning, she, along with her mother and her disabled elder brother, went to the polling station, which was well guarded by the police personnel. A wheelchair was made available to them, and volunteers guided them to the polling booth. Inside the polling booth, there were only three people who were performing all duties. Ishani had forgotten her voter ID card and Aadhaar card, but her identity was verified with an alternative document. After casting her vote, she was also able to see the VVPAT slip. While leaving, she wondered how the police personnel vote, as they must be on duty from early morning till late evening. When she went home, she narrated her entire experience to her 89-year-old grandmother, who cast her vote from home. 7. Match the political party name with its symbol. Political Parties Name Symbol Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] Indian National Congress (INC) National People’s Party (NPP) 181 7– Elections a. What initiatives were taken by the ECI to enable the voters to cast their vote? b. If Ishani was allowed to vote even without carrying her Voter ID card or Aadhaar card, which other document might she be carrying that is valid for voting? c. Cite the examples of violations of the Model Code of Conduct. d. Give a suitable title to the passage. e. Find out how the police and army personnel cast their votes.

A comparative chart of three countries is given below. Based on the information given in the chart, answer the questions. Country A Country B Country C Political Dimension Written constitution, periodic elections, voting rights, party system varies from two-party to multi-party. Written constitution, periodic elections, voting rights, one political party. Written constitution, monarchy, no voting rights, no political party. Economic Dimension Average standard of living. Above-average standard of living. High standard of living. a. What is the difference between having a voting right in a country with a multi-party system and another with a single-party system? b. In which of the above countries would you like to stay and why?

What are the challenges to conducting free and fair elections?

On the Stage. Elections are to be held in your school for the posts of Head Girl, Head Boy, and Sports Captain. Assume the roles of an Election Commissioner, Returning OfÏcer, Polling Agent, Candidate, Campaigner, Polling OfÏcer, Police Personnel, and a Journalist, and perform their roles while ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections. 182 Understanding Society: India and Beyond Grade 9 – Part 1

Try and make videos or audios on topics like: My Vote My Nation; No Voter to be Left Behind; How to Eliminate the Ill of Money Power, etc.

Select one national or state political party. Using authentic and reliable sources such as the Election Commission of India (ECI) website, the ofÏcial website of the selected political party, and newspapers. Prepare a comparative chart of the last two State Legislative Assembly elections. The chart should include the following details for the chosen party: a. Some promises made in the Election manifesto b. Percentage of votes polled c. Number of seats won d. Number of women who contested e. Number of women candidates elected Present the data for both elections in a clear and comparative format, citing all sources used.

Do you think ‘One Nation, One Election’ can improve the efÏciency of the electoral process? Divide the class and discuss into two groups—one to examine its potential advantages and the other to analyse its limitations. Notes