class 9 of political science notes name of the chapter

mcq of class 9 political science chapter 3

1. 1. Who heads the Election Commission of India?
a) The Prime Minister
b) The President
c) The Chief Election Commissioner
d) The Speaker of Lok Sabha
✅ Answer: c) The Chief Election Commissioner
2. Which of the following is not a function of the Election Commission?
a) Preparation of voters' list
b) Allotting party symbols to parties
c) Controlling the election machinery
d) Passing the Union Budget
✅ Answer: d) Passing the Union Budget
3. Voter turnout measures:
a) Number of constituencies
b) Percent of eligible voters who actually cast their vote
c) Number of political parties in the election
d) Symbols allotted to political parties
✅ Answer: b) Percent of eligible voters who actually cast their vote
5. During the 2004 elections, what fraction of voters took part in campaign-related activities?
a) One-tenth
b) One-fourth
c) More than one-third
d) Two-thirds
✅ Answer: c) More than one-third
B. Subjective Questions
1. What are the main functions of the Election Commission of India?
✅ Answer: The main functions are:
Preparation of voters' list
Delimitation of constituencies
Controlling the election machinery
Recognizing newly formed parties
Allotting party symbols to parties
Conducting polling and counting of votes
Announcement of results

2. 2. How does the Election Commission ensure free and fair elections?
✅ Answer: The Election Commission is an independent body provided in the Constitution. It ensures
that the ruling party does not misuse its position. It controls the election machinery, prepares the
voters’ list, supervises polling and counting, and recognizes political parties while allotting symbols
impartially.
3. Explain the significance of voter turnout in measuring people’s participation in elections.
✅ Answer: Voter turnout indicates the percentage of eligible voters who actually cast their votes. It
reflects the level of enthusiasm and participation in the democratic process. In India, unlike in Europe
and North America where turnout has declined, it has remained stable or increased, showing active
citizen engagement.
4. Compare voter participation in India with western democracies.
✅ Answer: In India, the poor, illiterate, and underprivileged vote in large numbers, unlike in western
democracies where voter participation is generally higher among the privileged. This highlights the
inclusive nature of Indian democracy.
5. Why do common people in India attach importance to elections?
✅ Answer: Common people believe elections allow them to influence political parties to adopt
favorable policies and programs. They also feel that their votes impact how the country is governed.
6. Describe the trend of people’s involvement in election-related activities in India.
✅ Answer: The interest of voters in election-related activities has increased. For example, in the 2004
elections, more than one-third of voters participated in campaign activities, and more than half
identified themselves with some political party. On average, one in every seven voters is a member
of a political party.
Q1. Who is referred to as the "Incumbent"?
a) A first-time candidate
b) The current holder of a political office
c) A retired politician
d) An election officer
Answer: b) The current holder of a political office
Q2. What does "Level playing field" in elections mean?
a) Candidates are treated unequally
b) Only ruling party can appeal for votes
c) All parties have equal opportunities to appeal for votes and campaign
d) Voters can vote multiple times

3. Answer: c) All parties have equal opportunities to appeal for votes and campaign
Q3. Which of the following is an example of "Rigging"?
a) Free and fair voting
b) Stuffing ballot boxes with fake votes
c) Voters casting votes voluntarily
d) Election campaigns on equal grounds
Answer: b) Stuffing ballot boxes with fake votes
Q4. What does "Turnout" refer to?
a) The number of candidates contesting
b) The percentage of eligible voters who cast their votes
c) The number of polling officers present
d) The number of political parties
Answer: b) The percentage of eligible voters who cast their votes
Subjective Questions
Q1. Define "Incumbent" in the context of elections.
Answer: The "Incumbent" is the current holder of a political office. In elections, voters usually have
to choose between the incumbent party or candidate and those who oppose them.
Q2. Explain the meaning of "Level playing field" in elections.
Answer: A "Level playing field" refers to a condition in which all parties and candidates contesting an
election have equal opportunities to appeal for votes and to carry out election campaigns.
Q3. What is "Rigging" in the electoral process? Give examples.
Answer: "Rigging" refers to fraud and malpractices by a party or candidate to increase votes.
Examples include stuffing ballot boxes with fake votes, recording multiple votes by the same person,
and bribing or coercing polling officers to favor a candidate.
Q4. Define "Turnout" and explain its significance in elections.
Answer: "Turnout" is the percentage of eligible voters who cast their votes in an election. It is
significant because it indicates the level of public participation and legitimacy of the democratic
process.
Q1. According to the text, in India, the ruling party loses elections:
a) Very rarely at any level
b) Routinely at both national and state levels
c) Only at the state level
d) Only in disputed elections

4. Answer: b) Routinely at both national and state levels
Q2. In India, about how many sitting MPs or MLAs lose elections?
a) One-fourth
b) One-third
c) Half
d) Almost none
Answer: c) Half
Q3. Which of the following factors often leads to a candidate’s defeat?
a) Having a clean image
b) Spending a lot of money on buying votes
c) Avoiding advertisements
d) Belonging to a small party
Answer: b) Spending a lot of money on buying votes
Q4. In the US, an incumbent representative:
a) Routinely loses elections
b) Rarely loses elections
c) Loses elections more than in India
d) Never contests again
Answer: b) Rarely loses elections
Q5. Which challenge to free and fair elections is mentioned in the text?
a) Citizens refusing to vote
b) Criminal candidates pushing others out
c) Absence of political parties
d) Foreign interference in elections
Answer: b) Criminal candidates pushing others out
Q6. Why do smaller parties and independents face disadvantages?
a) They cannot register
b) They lack media coverage
c) They suffer a huge disadvantage compared to bigger parties
d) They do not participate
Answer: c) They suffer a huge disadvantage compared to bigger parties
Subjective Questions

5. Q1. Explain why the acceptance of election outcomes is important in a democracy.
Answer: Acceptance of election outcomes is important because if elections are not free and fair, the
powerful always win, making democracy meaningless. In India, the routine loss of ruling parties and
acceptance of results by defeated parties shows that elections generally reflect the people’s verdict.
Q2. Compare the chances of incumbents losing elections in India and the US.
Answer: In the US, incumbents or sitting representatives rarely lose elections, whereas in India about
half of the sitting MPs or MLAs lose elections. This indicates a greater level of competition and
unpredictability in Indian elections.
Q3. Discuss three major challenges to free and fair elections in India.
Answer:
1.Candidates with a lot of money have an unfair advantage over smaller parties and
independents.
2.Candidates with criminal connections push others out of the electoral race and secure
tickets.
3.Families dominate political parties, with tickets distributed among relatives.
Q4. How do smaller parties and independent candidates suffer in elections?
Answer: Smaller parties and independents face a huge disadvantage compared to bigger parties
because they lack sufficient resources, media coverage, and organizational strength. This limits their
chances of winning despite support in some regions.
Q5. Why do some elections in India offer little real choice to voters?
Answer: Because both major parties often appear quite similar in policies and practices, leaving
voters with limited meaningful alternatives.