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CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 3 Electoral Politics

In this article we have provided CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 3 prepared by our experts to help students to prepare better for their examinations.
authorImageAnanya Gupta20 Jun, 2024
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CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 3

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 3: In CBSE Class 9 Political Science, Chapter 3 focuses on electoral politics, exploring how elections shape democratic governance. Elections are fundamental to democracy as they allow citizens to choose their representatives who will govern them.

Understanding electoral politics helps students grasp the principles of democracy and how the electoral process influences the functioning of the government."

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 3 Overview

These notes for CBSE Class 9 Political Science Chapter 3, created by subject experts of Physics Wallah, focus on Electoral Politics. This chapter explains why elections are important in democracy, showing how they allow people to choose their leaders. It covers topics like political parties, how elections work in India, and how they influence government decisions. By studying this chapter, students learn how elections shape our democracy by ensuring accountability and giving citizens a voice in governance.

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 3 PDF

You can access the PDF link for CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 3 below. Whether you’re studying for exams or enhancing your understanding of political science, these notes are a valuable resource to grasp fundamental concepts effectively.

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 3 PDF

CBSE Notes Class 9 Political Science Chapter 3 - Electoral Politics

Here we have provided CBSE Notes Class 9 Political Science Chapter 3 for the ease of students so that they can prepare better for their exams.

Why Do We Need Elections?

In any democracy, elections serve as a crucial mechanism where citizens select their representatives regularly. More than 100 countries worldwide conduct elections to choose these representatives. An election allows voters to make several decisions:
  1. Legislative Representation: Voters can choose individuals who will create laws on their behalf.
  2. Government Formation: Voters decide which political party or coalition will form the government and make significant decisions.
  3. Policy Direction: Voters select the party whose policies will influence government actions and legislation.
Through elections, citizens actively participate in shaping their governance and ensuring that their voices are heard in decision-making processes.

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What Makes an Election Democratic?

A democratic election must fulfill several essential conditions to ensure fairness and representativeness:
  1. Universal Suffrage: Every eligible citizen should have the right to choose their representative freely, without any discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or social status.
  2. Political Freedom: Parties and candidates should have the freedom to participate in elections without undue restrictions, providing voters with genuine choices.
  3. Regular Elections: Elections should be held at regular intervals as stipulated by law, ensuring that people have the opportunity to periodically review and change their representatives.
  4. Majority Rule: The candidate who receives the most votes should be elected, reflecting the will of the majority of voters in that constituency or jurisdiction.
  5. Free and Fair Process: Elections must be conducted in a transparent, impartial, and inclusive manner. This ensures that voters can freely express their preferences and that all candidates have equal opportunities to campaign and present their platforms.

Is It Good to Have Political Competition?

Political competition is generally considered beneficial for several reasons:
  1. Incentives for Performance: Regular electoral competition creates incentives for political parties and leaders to perform well. Parties strive to address issues that resonate with voters to enhance their popularity and electoral prospects. This ensures that elected representatives are motivated to deliver on promises and address public concerns.
  2. Accountability: Political parties understand that their ability to remain in power depends on their performance and responsiveness to the electorate.
  3. Service Orientation: Even if a political party or leader is primarily motivated by the desire to attain or retain power, competition compels them to focus on serving the electorate. Parties must demonstrate their effectiveness and responsiveness to gain and maintain electoral support. This leads to policies and governance that are more attuned to the needs and aspirations of the people.

What Is Our System of Election?

In India, elections are conducted for two primary legislative bodies: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly). These elections occur regularly every five years, marking the end of the term for all elected representatives. General Elections in India are held simultaneously across all constituencies either on the same day or within a few days. During these elections, voters cast their ballots to choose their representatives at both the national and state levels. In contrast, a By-Election occurs when a vacancy in a constituency arises due to the death or resignation of a sitting member. In such cases, only that specific constituency conducts an election to fill the vacant seat. These electoral processes ensure that citizens have the opportunity to elect their representatives at regular intervals, contributing to the functioning of India's democratic system.

Electoral Constituency

In India, electoral constituencies are geographical areas designated for elections where voters elect their representatives. Here's how it works across different levels of governance:
  1. Lok Sabha Constituencies : India is divided into 543 constituencies for Lok Sabha elections. Each constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) to represent them in the national parliament.
  2. Assembly Constituencies : Each state in India is divided into a specific number of Assembly constituencies. Voters in these constituencies elect their representatives known as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Each Parliamentary constituency comprises several assembly constituencies.
  3. Local Body Elections : Similar principles apply to elections for Panchayats (village councils) and Municipalities (urban local bodies). Villages and towns are divided into smaller units called wards, which act as constituencies. Each ward elects one member to represent them in the local body.

Reserved Constituencies

In India, reserved constituencies are specific electoral areas set aside to ensure representation for marginalized communities. Here's how it works:

Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) Reservations :

  • In the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament), 84 seats are reserved for candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), and 47 seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST).
  • Only candidates belonging to the respective Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe community can contest elections from these reserved constituencies.

Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Women Reservations :

  • Apart from SC and ST reservations, many states in India have also reserved seats in rural (panchayat) and urban (municipalities and corporations) local bodies for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and women candidates.
  • This ensures that these communities also have adequate representation at the grassroots level of governance.

Voters’ List

In democratic elections, the Voters' List, officially known as the Electoral Roll, plays a crucial role. It's prepared well in advance of the election and contains the names of all eligible voters. This list ensures that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to vote. While it's the government's responsibility to compile this list, voters are required to carry a valid identification like the Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) when casting their votes. The EPIC helps prevent fraudulent voting, although other identity proofs such as ration cards or driving licenses are also acceptable for voting in India.

Nomination of Candidates

In India, anyone eligible to vote can also contest elections as a candidate, provided they are at least 25 years old. To officially enter the electoral race, a candidate must fill out a 'nomination form' and deposit a specified amount of money as security. Candidates are required to declare certain details publicly, including any serious criminal cases pending against them, their and their family's assets and liabilities, and their educational qualifications. This transparency allows voters to make informed decisions based on the information provided by the candidates.

Election Campaign

Election campaigns in India are crucial periods for candidates and political parties to communicate their policies and appeal to voters. These campaigns span two weeks between the final candidate list announcement and the polling date. During this time, candidates engage directly with voters, leaders hold rallies, and parties rally their supporters. In accordance with India's Election Law, parties and candidates are prohibited from bribing or threatening voters, appealing for votes based on caste or religion, using government resources for campaigning, or exceeding expenditure limits (25 lakh rupees for Lok Sabha and 10 lakh rupees for Assembly elections per constituency). Violations can result in electoral disqualification through court rulings. Furthermore, all political parties adhere to a Model Code of Conduct during campaigns. This code prevents the use of places of worship for propaganda, misuse of government vehicles or officials, and restricts ministers from announcing policies or making promises once elections are announced. These measures ensure fair and ethical campaigning practices across the electoral process.

Polling and Counting of Votes

On election day, voters in India cast their votes at designated polling booths. Here’s how the process unfolds:
  1. Eligible voters go to their assigned polling booth where election officials verify their identity and mark their finger to prevent multiple voting.
  2. Inside the polling booth, agents of each candidate ensure fairness as voters cast their votes.
  3. Traditional ballot papers have been replaced by electronic voting machines (EVMs):
    • EVMs display names of candidates and their party symbols.
    • Voters simply press a button next to their chosen candidate’s name to cast their vote.
  4. After voting ends, all EVMs are sealed and transported securely.
  5. A few days later, the sealed EVMs are opened, and votes for each candidate are counted.
  6. The candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner.
This process ensures transparency and efficiency in counting votes, leading to the election of representatives based on the preferences of the electorate.

What Makes Election in India Democratic?

Independent Election Commission : In India, elections are overseen by the Election Commission (EC), which operates independently. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President and holds significant powers:

  • The EC manages all aspects of elections, from announcing dates to declaring results.
  • It enforces a Code of Conduct and penalizes parties or candidates for violations.
  • During elections, the EC can direct the government to ensure fairness and prevent misuse of power.
  • Government officials on election duty report to the EC, not the government itself.

Popular Participation : The democratic nature of Indian elections is reflected in the high voter turnout:

  • Voter turnout shows the percentage of eligible voters who actually vote.
  • In India, turnout is notably high among poor, illiterate, and underprivileged citizens compared to the wealthy.
  • Voters believe elections empower them to influence policies and programs of political parties.
  • Over time, there has been growing interest and engagement in election-related activities among the public.

Acceptance of Election Outcome : A crucial aspect of democratic elections is the acceptance of election results:

  • In India, ruling parties frequently lose elections at both national and state levels.
  • Unlike in some countries where incumbents rarely lose, about half of sitting MPs or MLAs in India are defeated in elections.
  • Candidates accused of spending heavily to influence voters or with criminal backgrounds often face electoral defeat.
  • Except for rare disputed cases, election outcomes are generally accepted as the "people's verdict" by the losing parties.

Challenges to Free and Fair Elections

Challenges to ensuring free and fair elections in India persist despite the overall integrity of the electoral process. These challenges include:
  1. Financial Advantage : Candidates and parties with substantial financial resources often have an unfair edge over smaller parties that lack similar financial backing. This disparity can skew the electoral playing field in favor of wealthy candidates or parties.
  2. Criminal Influence : Candidates with criminal backgrounds sometimes secure party nominations, sidelining other candidates and influencing electoral outcomes through intimidation or illicit means. This undermines the fairness of the electoral process.
  3. Dynastic Politics : In some cases, political parties favor candidates from influential families, granting them party tickets based on familial connections rather than merit or public support. This practice limits the diversity of candidates and restricts genuine electoral choices.
  4. Limited Choice : Despite a multi-party system, major political parties in India often have similar policies and practices. This reduces the diversity of ideas and limits the choices available to voters, especially in terms of substantive policy differences.
  5. Disadvantages for Smaller Parties : Smaller political parties and independent candidates face significant challenges in competing against larger, well-established parties. They often struggle with limited resources, less visibility, and inadequate representation in mainstream media.

Benefits of CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 3

  • Understanding Democratic Processes : The notes explain the fundamental principles of democracy through the electoral process, helping students grasp the importance of elections in representative governance.
  • Knowledge of Indian Electoral System : Students gain insights into the functioning of elections in India, including the roles of various institutions like the Election Commission and the processes involved in conducting elections.
  • Awareness of Voting Rights : The notes emphasize the significance of voting rights and voter participation in shaping democratic outcomes, instilling a sense of civic responsibility among students.
  • Political Party Dynamics : Students learn about the role of political parties, their ideologies, and their strategies during elections, providing them with a deeper understanding of political dynamics in the country.
  • Critical Thinking and Analysis : The chapter encourages critical thinking by discussing challenges to free and fair elections, enabling students to evaluate electoral processes critically and suggest reforms.

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 3 FAQs

What is the role of the Election Commission of India?

The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays a important role in conducting free and fair elections in the country. It oversees the entire electoral process, from announcing elections to declaring results. It ensures that elections are conducted impartially and that the Code of Conduct is adhered to by all parties and candidates.

How are electoral constituencies determined in India?

Electoral constituencies in India are determined based on population. For the Lok Sabha (House of the People), constituencies are delimited based on the number of seats allocated to each state and union territory. For Assembly elections, constituencies are delimited within each state based on population density and geographical considerations.

What are reserved constituencies?

Reserved constituencies in India are those where seats are reserved for specific communities, such as Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). This reservation ensures representation for historically marginalized communities in the democratic process.

What role do political parties play in elections?

Political parties play a central role in elections by fielding candidates, formulating election manifestos, and mobilizing voters. They represent different ideologies and policies, providing voters with choices. Parties also conduct election campaigns to convey their message and secure votes.

What measures ensure the fairness of elections in India?

The Election Commission enforces strict guidelines and the Model Code of Conduct during elections to ensure fairness. It monitors election expenses, prevents misuse of government machinery, and addresses complaints of electoral malpractice promptly. These measures uphold the integrity and transparency of elections.
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