Class 9th Civics Chapter 3: Electoral Politics – Summary, Notes, and Important Questions Answers (2025)

Class 9 Civics, Chapter 3: Electoral Politics 👇

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🗳️ 1. What are Elections?

In a democracy, people don’t run the government directly.
They elect representatives who make laws and take decisions for them.
That process is called an election.

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⚖️ 2. Why are Elections Needed?

• It’s impossible for everyone in a big country to take all decisions together.
• Elections help people choose leaders who will work for them.
• Through elections, citizens decide who should make laws and which party should form the government.

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✅ 3. What Makes an Election Free and Fair?

• Every adult citizen has one vote and all votes have equal value.
• There should be more than one political party.
• Elections must be held regularly.
• People should be free to choose their representatives without pressure.

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🇮🇳 4. Election System in India

• General Elections → Held every 5 years for Lok Sabha & State Assemblies.
• By-Elections → Held if a seat becomes vacant due to death or resignation.
• Constituencies → The country is divided into 543 areas (for Lok Sabha); each area elects one MP.
• Reserved Seats → Some seats are kept for SCs, STs, and women (in local bodies).

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🗂️ 5. Voter’s List

• It is the list of people who can vote (also called Electoral Roll).
• Every Indian citizen 18 years or above can vote, regardless of caste, religion, or gender.
• Voters get an Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC).

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🧾 6. Nomination of Candidates

• Anyone 25 years or older can contest elections.
• Candidates must submit details of their education, property, and criminal cases.
• Political parties give them a ticket to contest.

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🎤 7. Election Campaign

• Political parties hold rallies, distribute pamphlets, and use slogans.
  • Example:
    • “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty) – Congress, 1971
    • “Land to the Tiller” – Left Front, West Bengal
• No one can bribe, threaten, or use government resources for campaigning.
• Spending limits: ₹25 lakh for Lok Sabha, ₹10 lakh for Assembly elections.

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🗳️ 8. Polling & Counting

• People cast votes using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
• Votes are counted in front of party agents to ensure fairness.
• India has a high voter turnout, especially among poor and rural citizens.

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🏛️ 9. Role of the Election Commission (EC)

• A powerful and independent body that conducts elections.
• Headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), appointed by the President.
• Responsibilities:
  • Announce election dates and results.
  • Enforce the Model Code of Conduct.
  • Ensure fair use of government machinery.

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🚫 10. Challenges to Fair Elections

• Casteism and communalism influence voting.
• Use of money and muscle power.
• Criminalization of politics — people with criminal background entering politics.

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📘 Important Terms

Term	Meaning
General Election	Elections held for all constituencies after every 5 years
By-election	Election held for one seat that becomes vacant
Constituency	Area from which voters elect their representative
Universal Adult Franchise	Every adult (18+) has the right to vote
Model Code of Conduct	Rules that all political parties must follow during elections

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Class 9 Civics – Chapter 3: Electoral Politics question–answer set in 1 mark, 2 mark, 3 mark, and 4 mark formats — written in simple words 👇

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🟩 1 MARK QUESTIONS (Very Short Answer)

(Answer in one sentence)

1. What is the minimum age to vote in India?
   👉 18 years.

2. Who conducts elections in India?
   👉 The Election Commission of India.

3. What is the tenure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies?
   👉 5 years.

4. Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)?
   👉 The President of India.

5. What is the full form of EVM?
   👉 Electronic Voting Machine.

6. What is Universal Adult Franchise?
   👉 Every citizen above 18 years has the right to vote, regardless of caste, gender, or religion.

7. How many constituencies are there in Lok Sabha?
   👉 543 constituencies.

8. What do we call elections held for one vacant seat?
   👉 By-election.

9. What are reserved constituencies?
   👉 Seats kept for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women (in local bodies).

10. What is the Model Code of Conduct?
    👉 A set of rules political parties must follow during elections.

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🟨 2 MARK QUESTIONS (Short Answer)

1. Why are elections necessary in a democracy?
   👉 Because people cannot take all decisions directly, they elect representatives who make laws and run the government on their behalf.

2. Mention any two features of free and fair elections.
   👉 (i) Every adult has one vote and equal value.
   (ii) Elections are held regularly and voters are free to choose any candidate.

3. What is the difference between General and By-elections?
   👉 General elections are held after every 5 years for all constituencies, while by-elections are held for one or few seats that fall vacant.

4. What is a voter’s list?
   👉 It is the official list of all citizens who are eligible to vote in an election.

5. Why are some constituencies reserved?
   👉 To ensure fair representation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in local bodies.

6. What is meant by election campaign?
   👉 The period before elections when political parties and candidates try to convince voters to vote for them.

7. What is the role of political slogans in elections?
   👉 Slogans help parties to attract public attention and express their main promises (e.g., “Garibi Hatao”).

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🟧 3 MARK QUESTIONS (Short Paragraph Answer)

1. Explain the main functions of the Election Commission of India.
   👉

• Conducts free and fair elections in the country.
• Announces election dates and declares results.
• Enforces the Model Code of Conduct and checks election expenses.
• Supervises government officials during elections.

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2. Explain the process of voting in India.
   👉

• Citizens go to polling booths to cast their votes.
• They use EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) to vote for their chosen candidate.
• After voting, machines are sealed and kept safely until counting day.
• Votes are counted in the presence of all party agents to ensure fairness.

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3. State any three challenges faced during elections in India.
   👉

• Use of money and muscle power by candidates.
• Caste and religion-based politics.
• Entry of criminals into politics and false promises to voters.

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4. What are the main conditions of a democratic election?
   👉

• Everyone should have an equal right to vote.
• There should be real choice among parties and candidates.
• Elections should be held regularly and fairly.

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🟥 4 MARK QUESTIONS (Long Answer)

1. Describe the main stages of the election process in India.
   👉
2. Preparation of Voter’s List – Election Commission prepares a list of eligible voters.
3. Nomination of Candidates – Political parties give tickets; candidates file nomination forms.
4. Election Campaign – Parties promote their ideas, hold rallies, and present manifestos.
5. Polling Day – Voters cast their votes using EVMs.
6. Counting and Results – Votes are counted and results are declared by the Election Commission.

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2. Explain the importance of elections in a democracy.
   👉

• Elections give people the right to choose who will make laws for them.
• They make the government answerable to the people.
• They allow citizens to remove bad leaders and elect better ones.
• Elections keep democracy alive by giving power to the people.

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3. What is the Model Code of Conduct? Mention its main rules.
   👉
   The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines that all parties must follow during elections.
   Main rules are:

• No use of religious places for campaigning.
• No personal attacks on opponents.
• No use of government vehicles or money for campaigns.
• No new promises or projects can be announced by ministers once elections are declared.

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4. What is Universal Adult Franchise? Why is it important in democracy?
   👉
   Universal Adult Franchise means every adult citizen (18 or above) has the right to vote, without discrimination of caste, gender, or wealth.
   It is important because:

• It ensures equality among citizens.
• It gives everyone a say in choosing the government.
• It strengthens democracy by involving all sections of society.

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