question_answer

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

Answer:

                   (a) No, this conclusion is wrong because the Election Commission is indeed powerful enough to ensure free and fair elections. The Election Commission has complete control over all the functionaries connected with the conduct of elections. It can order repoll if there is report of rigging. (b) This conclusion is right. Nowadays the people are more aware and more and more people have started to cast their vote and the voting percentage has gone up. Ruling parties often lose elections due to change in voting preference by the people. (c) This is a wrong conclusion, because the party in power often lose elections. It is always the anti-incumbency factor working against it. (d) This conclusion is right. Though the role of money and muscle power has been reduced but there is still need to control it further. Because some politicians and political parties are still able to take advantage of money power in elections. Many candidates with criminal records use muscle power to threaten and terrorise other candidates and voters which needs to be checked.