| Reference Book | Ratna Sagar Integrated Social Science |
| Class | Class 7 |
| Category | Social & Political Life (Civics) |
| Chapter Number | Chapter 3 |
| Chapter Name | Democracy In Action |
A) Tick (✓) the correct answers.
1) In India, the independent body entrusted with the responsibility of conducting free and fair elections is the
a) Election Commission ✓
b) Planning Commission
c) Parliament
d) Lok Sabha
2) The secret ballot was first introduced in _________ in 1856.
a) UK
b) USA
c) France
d) Australia ✓
3) _________ implies that the winning candidate may or may not have secured more than half of the total votes polled.
a) Absolute majority
b) Partial majority
c) Simple majority ✓
d) None of the three
4) All political parties need to be registered with the
a) State Commission
b) President
c) Parliament
d) Election Commission ✓
5) There are ________ national parties currently recognized by the Election Commission.
a) five
b) six
c) seven ✓
d) four
6) ________ is the election symbol of the Bahujan Samaj party.
a) Clock
b) hand
c) lotus
d) Elephant ✓
B) Correct the following sentences by changing the underlined word.
1) Franchise or the right to equality is available to the entire voting population of the country.
1) Franchise or the right to vote is available to the entire voting population of the country.
2) An MLA represents an Assembly Constituency in the Gram Sabha.
2) An MLA represents an Assembly Constituency in the State Assembly.
3) The Presiding Officer is in charge of a constituency.
3) The Returning officer is in charge of a constituency.
4) Shiromani Akali Dal is the oldest national party.
4) Shiromani Akali Dal is the oldest regional party.
C) Give short answers for the following questions.
Que 1) How is Gram Sabha an example of direct democracy? How do people living in cities and towns exercise their political power?
Ans The Gram Sabha is an example of direct democracy at the village level, where the villagers come together and take decisions for themselves. But it is not possible for the whole country to meet at one place and discuss issues. So, almost all democratic countries in the world have adopted the indirect or representative form of government. In the indirect form of democracy, political power remains with the people but it is exercised indirectly, that is, through representatives elected by them. These representatives make up the legislature. It is known in our country as the Parliament at the national level and State Assembly at the state level. They make laws on behalf of the people and determine taxes that people will pay.
Que 2) Write two conditions when the citizens are unable to enjoy voting rights.
Ans Two conditions when the citizens are unable to enjoy voting rights are:
a) persons of unsound mind
b) persons declared criminals by the law courts
Que 3) Write a note on the election campaign.
Ans Every political party and every candidate tries to reach out to as many voters as possible. The parties appeal to the voters to vote for them. But in large constituencies, it may not be possible for candidates to conduct door-to-door campaigns. So they make use of various methods of canvassing including public meetings, wall posters, roadside hoardings, banners, handbills, corner or chaupal meetings, processions by supporters, and house visits by local leaders.
Que 4) Why is a political party called a ‘voluntary association’?
Ans A political party is a voluntary association of individual citizens, registered with the Election Commission. It is called an ‘association’ because it is an organized group of persons who share similar views on national issues. It is voluntary because individuals join it on their own. No person can be compelled to join a political party. Every citizen has the freedom to join or not to join a party and to join the party of his or her choice.
Que 5) Distinguish between reserved and free symbols.
Ans
| Reserved symbols | Free symbols |
| 1) A reserved symbol can be used only by the candidates of the party to which it has been allotted. | Symbols that are not reserved for any party are called frees symbols. |
| 2) Some examples of reserved symbols are Hand (Congress), Lotus (BJP), Elephant (BSP), Hammer, sickle and star (CPI-M), Ears of corn and sickle (CPI) and so on. | Candidates of unrecognised parties and independents can choose from the free symbols available with the election commission. |
D) Give long answers for the following.
Que 1) why is secret ballot an essential feature of democracy?
Ans People exercise their freedom of choice to elect their representatives without any interference. This requires that nobody should know in whose favour a voter has cast her or his vote. It should remain a secret even after voting. Only a secret ballot can guarantee this freedom and privacy to voters. Thus, secret ballot is an essential feature of democratic elections
Earlier two different methods were used. In the first one, a voter had to cross out all the candidates whom he did not want elected. In the second, a voter had to mark the corresponding box of the preferred candidate. Today, electronic voting machines are commonly used in elections. They feature the names of the candidates with respective checkboxes or buttons for the voters to make their choices.
Que 2) Write a note on the officers on election duty.
Ans The Election Commission of India is entrusted with the task of conducting elections in the country. This independent body is headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), who is appointed by the President. Under the CEC are various State Election Commissioners, each responsible for elections in their respective states. At the constituency level, the Returning Officer, appointed by the Election Commission, is the main official responsible for conducting elections. Each polling booth has about five officials. The Presiding Officer is in charge of the booth. Four other persons, called Polling Officers, assist her or him. Outside the polling booth policemen are posted to maintain law and order.
Que 3) Write three functions of a political party.
Ans The functions of a political party are :
1) Conduct election campaigns for its candidates.
2) Help to formulate public opinion. The parties explain various issues and problems to the people. Each party tries to convince people that its policies are the best. They make use of public meetings, processions, demonstrations and the press for this.
3) Give expression to public opinion and place it before the government.
Que 4) Why are opposition parties important for the smooth running of a democracy?
Ans In a democracy, members of the opposition point out the shortcomings and failures of the ruling party. By doing so, the opposition keeps a check on the government. It does not allow the government to become irresponsible and dictatorial. Thus, the opposition is important for the smooth functioning of any democracy. Wherever the opposition is suppressed, democracy suffers. Wherever the opposition functions in a peaceful and democratic manner, democracy gets strengthened.
Que 5) Under what conditions does a political party get recognized as a national party?
Ans A political party is recognized as a national party if it fulfils any of the following conditions.
1) The candidates put up by the party, in any four or more states, at the last general elections to the Lok Sabha or to the Assembly of the state concerned, have secured at least six per cent of the total valid votes polled in each of those states at the general elections, and at least four of them have been elected to the Lok Sabha from any state(s).
2) At the last general elections to the Lok Sabha, the party has won at least two per cent of the total number of seats in the Lok Sabha and the party’s candidates have been elected to the Lok Sabha from not less than three states.
3) The party is recognized as a state party in at least four states.
HOTS
Que 6) How does the independence of the Election Commission make elections democratic in india?
Ans Elections should be held in a free atmosphere and in a fair manner. In democratic countries elections are conducted by independent agencies so that people can participate freely and fearlessly. In India, the independent body entrusted with the responsibility of conducting free and fair elections is the Election Commission of India. It has the power to make decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections. It implements code of conduct and punishes any candidate of party that violates. It will have control on all the government officers at the time of elections. Because of unquestionable powers and complete autonomy election commission can conduct freely.
Que 7) A coalition government is a true reflection of a democratic set-up. Do you agree with the statement? Give reasons.
Ans Yes coalition government is a true reflection of a democratic set-up. A coalition government is a government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties, when no single party enjoys majority support of the members in a legislature. It means more diversity and interchange of opinions and ideas. The very idea of power sharing is mutually compatible with democracy as it makes the system more representative and participative. More so, it ensures peace and stability in the region by appeasing all social groups in giving them recognition. Coalition era experiences more effective form of power sharing between the Centre and the states, which is an integral part of Indian politics. It certainly has given representation to various provinces and regions at the centre and has also bridged regional disparities. The coalition government marked the presence of regional parties at the centre, who are sharing power with the national party.
Leave a Reply