Q- Can we draw the following conclusions from the information given in this chapter? Give two facts to support your position for each of these.
(a) Election commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair elections in the country.
(b) There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.
(c) It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.
(d) Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.
Answer- (a) “Election commission of India does not have enough powers to conduct free and fair elections in the country.” This conclusion is not true because the procedure to remove an Election Commissioner is tough and cannot be removed just on the wishes of the party in power. Election Commissioner decides the code of conduct, date of elections and declaration of results. It can punish candidates for violation of code of conduct and government staff on election duties works under the Election Commission and not the government.
(b) “There is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country.” This statement is correct because there is a high level of popular participation in the elections in our country. The largest electoral democracy in the world is India as it has the highest number of registered voters and the number of people who vote.
This conclusion is true because of the following reasons:
1. During the few years, the interest of the voters in the election related activities has increased. One out of every seven voters is a member of a political party. More than half of the people identify themselves as being close to one or the other political party.
2. Common people in India think that through voting or election they can bring pressure on the political parties to adopt policies and programmers favourable to them. Therefore, they attach a lot of important to elections.
(c) “It is very easy for the party in power to win an election.” This statement is not correct. It is not easy for the party in power to win an election since the Election Commission ensures free and fair election and that there is no use of State machinery by the government. The party is power regularly change in India at the Centre and State. This shows that it is not easy for the party in power to win an election.
(d) “Many reforms are needed to make our elections completely free and fair.” This statement is correct because there are problems which exist in Indian democratic system which requires reforms. There are also problems of castism, communalism, in India’s democratic system which requires large reform in society through education and other means. Internal party democracy, criminal candidates, among other problems needs to be solved by reform through government. These reform steps will then make our elections more free and fair.