Ramesh was not in class when this chapter was being taught. He came the next day and repeated what he had heard from his father. Can you tell Ramesh what is wrong with these statements?

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?

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?

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

Can we draw the following conclusions from the information given in this chapter? Give two facts to support your position for each of these.(i) The Election Commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair elections in the country.(ii) There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.(iii) It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.(iv) Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.

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

List all the different election-related activities mentioned in the chapter and arrange them in a time sequence, beginning with the first activity and ending with the last. Some of these activities are given below:

Match the following:

Which of these is not a good reason to say that Indian elections are democratic?

Which of the following statements about the reasons for conducting elections are false?

Here are some facts on Indian elections. Comment on each of these to say whether they reflect the strength or the weakness of our electoral system: (i) The 16th Lok Sabha has 12 percent of women members.

Is this an accurate picture of what happens to the voter before and after elections? Must this always happen in a democracy? Can you think of examples when this did not happen?

Titled ‘Electoral Campaigns’, this cartoon was drawn in the Latin American context. Does this apply to India and to other democracies in the world?

The leader is coming out of a press conference: “What was the need to say that we have distributed tickets only amongst suitable and winnable family relations?” Do you think that family politics is confined to only a few states or parties?

(i) EC issues notification constituting 14th Lok Sabha (ii) EC tightens norms for poll expenses

Why does the Election Commission have so many powers? Is this good for democracy?

Identify the fair and the unfair electoral practices among the following: (i)A minister flags off a new train in his constituency a week before polling day.

Why are party agents present in the polling booth and the counting centre?

Let us go back to our example of Gulbarga. In 2014, a total of 8 candidates contested elections in that constituency.

Are the elections too expensive? You decide.

Draw a cartoon here about the Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of political parties and candidates during elections.

Why are the candidates required to give a detailed statement of their property?

See the map below and answer the following questions. (i)What is the number of Lok Sabha constituencies in your state and the neighbouring two states?

Like in Panchayats, should we not have at least one-third seats in the parliament and assemblies reserved for women?

Read these two cartoons carefully. Write the message of each of them in your own words. Have a discussion in class on which of the two is closer to reality in your locality.

Ah! So, elections are like exams where politicians and parties know if they have passed or failed. But who are the examiners?

We have seen why democracies need to have elections. But why do rulers in non-democratic countries need to hold elections?

Jagdeep and Navpreet read the story of the Haryana election given above and drew the following conclusions. Can you say which of these is right or wrong (or if the information given in the story is inadequate to call them right or wrong)?

Do most leaders fulfill their election promises?