ICSE Grade IX Civics Chapter 3. Elections and Election Commission

1. Elections
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2. Representatives
Government
Laws
People
Elect Form
MakeObey
Democracy
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3. Election: Meaning
 Election is a procedure where persons are
chosen, by voting ,to represent to voters for
running the government.
OR
 It is an Organized Process in which people
vote to choose the persons who can
represent them in Parliament or the State
Legislative.
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4. Constituency: Meaning
 Constituency is a fixed area with a body of
voters.
 Country or State is divided into number of
representative areas called as constituencies.
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5. Need & Importance of Elections
 Best way to choose representatives
 Gives choice to select
 Indirect participation of voters
 Periodic elections builds pressure to perform or
perish
 Comes to know about political parties and their
ideologies
 People get change to form government, make laws
and work for the welfare of people and their country.
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6. Types of Elections
General Elections
• To elect Lok Sabha Members
• After term of Five years
Mid-Term Elections
• In case if Lok Sabha or State Legislative
Assembly gets dissolved before the 5 years term
By- Elections
• When any member of Legislative assembly in Centre or
State falls vacant on account of death, resignation or
disqualification before end of the term.
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7. 7
General Elections

8. 8
Mid-Term
Elections

9. By Elections
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10. Direct Elections Indirect Elections
 People vote directly
 Every adult has the
right to vote
 People elect
representatives and the
elected representatives
elect their members.
 Every elected
representative has the
right to vote.
Kinds of Elections
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11. Direct Elections Indirect Elections
 There is a very large
body of voters called as
the electorate.
 Members of Lok Sabha,
Vidhan Sabha, Gram
Panchayat & Municipal
Corporation are
directly elected.
 There is a small body of
voters.
 Members of Rajya
Sabha, Vidhan
Parishad, President &
Vice-President are
elected indirectly.
Kinds of Elections
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12. Indirect Election: Examples
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 Rajya Sabha: 250 (238 Elected by members of
Legislative Assemblies of States & UTs + 12
nominated by President)
 Vidhan Parishad: 1/3rd elected by Legislative Assembly +
1/3rd by local bodies like Corporations, Panchayats etc +
1/12th by persons engaged in teaching in educational
institutes + 1/12th by registered Graduates + 1/6th
nominated by Governor
 President: Electoral College (MPs+MLAs)
 Vice-President: Electoral College (MPs)

13. Advantages & Disadvantages of Direct Elections
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 Advantage: Direct Elections makes people take
interest in elections.
 Disadvantage: Masses may get influenced of
emotions or religious leaders and may reject
someone who has better ability.

14. Advantages & Disadvantages of Indirect Elections
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 Advantages:
a) It is perfect for large constituencies with millions of
people. It can save money and energy.
b) Reduces the heat of the election campaign.
 Disadvantage: It may lead to evil practices such as
bribery as electors are very few in number.

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16. Election Commission of India
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Composition:
 It headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
assisted by other Election Commissioners.
 CEC acts as a Chairman of the Election Commission.
 At present it is a THREE MEMBERED body.

17. Election Commission of India
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Appointment:
 The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) & other
Election Commissioners are appointed by the
President.
 President may also appoint Regional Commissioners
to assist the Election Commission.

18. Election Commission of India
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Term (Tenure) of Office & Conditions of
Service:
 The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) & other
Election Commissioners hold the office for the term of 6
years.
 However, they need to vacate the office if they attain the
age of 65 years.
 Their salary is equal to the salary of Supreme Court. After
retirement they get pension.
 All the decisions will be taken according to the opinion of
MAJORITY in case there is difference in opinion among
CEC and other ECs.

19. Election Commission of India
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Independence of ECI:
 Removal: CEC and Other ECs can be removed in
the manner as a Judge of Supreme Court.
Other ECs can be removed only on the
recommendation of CEC.
 No one can change the conditions of service
of CEC.
 ECI has complete control over its staff on
election duty.

20. Powers & Functions of Election Commission
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1. Preparation of Election Rolls and Photo Identity
Cards
2. Recognition to Political Parties
3. Allotment of Symbols to Parties and Independent
Candidates
4. Conduct of Elections
5. Ensuring Free & Fair Election
6. Disqualification on grounds such as being of
unsound mind, holding office of profit etc.

21. Conduct of Election (Election Procedure)
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1 • Announcement of Elections
2 • Nominations
3 • Scrutiny of Nominations
4 • Publication of List & Election Campaign
5 • The Poll
6 • Counting of Votes & Declaring Results

22. Allotment of Symbols to Parties and Independent Candidates
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 National and State Parties can have same registered
symbols for all their candidates.
 Independent Candidates can choose any symbols out
of the list of Free Symbols.
 Illiterate masses can’t read the names however they
can easily identify the symbols.
 Reserved Symbols sometimes become so well-known
that the party doesn’t have to do much to showcase
their candidates.