CBSE Class 11 India Constitution Work Chapter 3: Election and Representation NCERT Solutions

Solution: Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha most closely resemble direct democracy. In a direct democracy, citizens participate directly in decision-making. The Gram Sabha, where all adult members of a village can assemble and make decisions on local matters, exemplifies this principle. While an election for a class monitor can be a form of direct election, the Gram Sabha represents a more formal and collective decision-making process akin to direct democracy.

Solution: The tasks not performed by the Election Commission of India are Nominating the candidates and Supervising the Panchayat elections. The Election Commission of India is responsible for conducting elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections. However, the nomination of candidates is a process initiated by the candidates and their parties. The supervision of Panchayat and Municipal elections falls under the purview of the respective State Election Commissions.

Solution: The common aspect to the election of members of both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha is that Every vote has equal value. In the Lok Sabha, all citizens above 18 years of age directly vote, and each vote counts equally. For the Rajya Sabha, although elected indirectly by MLAs, the principle of proportional representation ensures that each vote cast by an elector (MLA) has an equal weight in determining the outcome. Option (a) is incorrect as not all citizens above 18 are eligible voters (e.g., those disqualified). Option (b) applies to Rajya Sabha (and Presidential) elections but not directly to Lok Sabha general elections. Option (d) is incorrect as the winner in FPTP (Lok Sabha) does not necessarily need more than half the votes.

Solution: In the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, the candidate who Has more votes than any other candidate in the constituency is declared the winner. This system is also known as plurality voting. The candidate with the highest number of votes wins the election in that particular constituency, regardless of whether they achieve an absolute majority (more than 50% of the votes). Postal ballots are a method of casting votes, not the sole criterion for winning. Party-wide vote share is relevant in proportional systems, not FPTP.

Solution: The key difference lies in who can vote and for whom.

In the system of reservation of constituencies, all eligible voters within a particular constituency are allowed to cast their vote. However, the candidate contesting and winning from that seat must belong to a specific community or social section for whom the seat has been reserved. This aims to ensure representation for certain groups without dividing the electorate.

In the system of separate electorate, not only must the candidate belong to a particular community, but only the voters from that same community are eligible to vote for that candidate. This effectively divides the electorate into separate groups, each voting only for their own community's representatives.

The Constitution makers rejected the system of separate electorate primarily because it was seen as detrimental to the principles of national unity, secularism, and social integration. They believed it would foster a sense of separatism among communities, hinder the development of a common national identity, and perpetuate divisions within society. The goal was to create a unified and inclusive political system where all citizens, regardless of their community, could participate together in the democratic process.

Solution: Statement (a) is Incorrect. The FPTP system is followed for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections. However, for Panchayat and Municipal elections, different systems might be followed, and for Rajya Sabha elections, a form of proportional representation is used. A corrected statement could be: "FPTP system is followed for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly elections in India."

Solution: This statement is Correct. The Election Commission of India is responsible for conducting elections to national and state legislative bodies. The supervision of Panchayat and Municipal elections is entrusted to the respective State Election Commissions, which are independent bodies established under state laws.

Solution: This statement is Incorrect. An Election Commissioner (and the Chief Election Commissioner) can be removed from office by the President, but only under specific conditions. The process requires a recommendation from both Houses of Parliament, passed by a special majority, on grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity. This is similar to the removal process for a Supreme Court judge, ensuring their independence.

Solution: This statement is Incorrect. The Constitution originally envisaged the Election Commission as a body that could be either a single-member or a multi-member body. Initially, it was a single-member body, but later it was made a multi-member body. Currently, it consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners. However, the appointment of more than one commissioner is not constitutionally mandatory; the President can appoint a Chief Election Commissioner alone if deemed appropriate, though a multi-member commission is generally considered more robust.

Solution: To improve the representation of women in Indian legislatures, several measures can be suggested:

• Proportional Representation System: Implementing a system of proportional representation, where seats are allocated to parties based on the proportion of votes they receive, can help ensure that women candidates get elected in numbers closer to their proportion in the population.
• Reserved Constituencies for Women: Similar to reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, specific constituencies could be reserved exclusively for women candidates. This would guarantee a minimum number of women in the legislature.
• Political Party Quotas: Political parties can adopt voluntary quotas, committing to nominate a certain percentage of women candidates for elections. Some European countries have successfully implemented such quotas, encouraging greater female participation in the political process. This requires parties to actively promote and support women candidates.
• Strengthening Women's Participation at Grassroots Level: Ensuring effective representation and empowerment of women in local self-government bodies can create a pipeline for future leadership at higher levels.

Solution: To determine the suitability of FPTP (First Past the Post) or Proportional Representation (PR) for a new country's constitution, we need to consider the specific wishes and context. Here's a general analysis:

Wish 1: The new country should have a stable government.

Suitability: FPTP is generally considered more suitable for ensuring government stability. It tends to produce clear majorities for one party, leading to more decisive governance and reducing the likelihood of coalition governments that can be unstable.

Wish 2: The legislature should reflect the diversity of opinions and groups in the country.

Suitability: Proportional Representation (PR) is more suitable for reflecting the diversity of opinions and groups. PR systems allocate seats in proportion to the votes received, ensuring that smaller parties and minority viewpoints gain representation in the legislature, mirroring the country's social and political landscape more accurately.

Wish 3: The voters should know the candidates who are elected to the legislature.

Suitability: FPTP is often considered better for this. In FPTP, voters typically elect a representative from a specific geographic constituency, making the link between the elected official and their constituents more direct and personal. In contrast, PR systems, especially party-list PR, may result in representatives elected based on party lists rather than direct constituency connection.

Wish 4: The government should be accountable to the people.

Suitability: Both systems have mechanisms for accountability, but they differ. FPTP provides direct accountability to the constituency, as the local representative is easily identifiable. PR systems can provide accountability through party performance and the ability of voters to switch support between parties based on their overall performance and adherence to their manifestos.

Wish 5: The country should have a government that is not dominated by a single party.

Suitability: Proportional Representation (PR) is more suitable if the goal is to avoid single-party dominance. PR systems naturally encourage multi-party representation and often lead to coalition governments, preventing any single party from holding absolute power.