New NCERT Understanding Society: India and Beyond · Class 9 Social Science · Part 1 · Chapter 7: Elections
This chapter explains why elections are the core of democracy and how votes are turned into seats. It covers electoral systems, election laws, the Election Commission of India, political parties and the challenges to free and fair elections.
From the Class 9 Social Science Short Notes, made as per the new NCERT book Understanding Society: India and Beyond · Pages 40–44 of the book.
Key points
- Regular elections keep representatives accountable; a government cannot continue beyond its term without a fresh mandate.
- Direct elections: Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and local bodies. Indirect elections: President, Vice-President and Rajya Sabha.
- Psephology is the scientific study of elections.
- India uses First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas, and Proportional Representation for the Rajya Sabha, President and Vice-President.
- The Single Transferable Vote (STV) is a form of PR where voters mark preferences.
- Six states have a Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) besides the Vidhan Sabha.
- The Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951 deal with seats, electoral rolls, conduct of elections and corrupt practices.
- Delimitation fixes the number of seats and boundaries of constituencies (Article 82).
- The Election Commission of India was set up on 25 January 1950 (Articles 324–329); 25 January is National Voters' Day.
- The ECI prepares electoral rolls, decides the schedule, registers parties and allots symbols, and ensures free and fair polls.
- The Anti-Defection Law (1985) came through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act.
Key terms
- Psephology: The scientific study of elections (Greek psephos = pebble).
- FPTP: First-Past-The-Post — the candidate with the most votes wins, even if below 50%.
- Proportional Representation: People vote for a party and seats are given in proportion to votes.
- Delimitation: Fixing the number of seats and boundaries of constituencies.
- Model Code of Conduct: Rules applied during the campaign to ensure free and fair polls.
- VVPAT: A machine used with the EVM during polling.
- Anti-defection law: A member who leaves his party or votes against the party whip can be disqualified.
Diagrams to learn
- Table: FPTP vs majority vs proportional representation
- STV quota box
- Table: functions of the ECI
- Table: ECI digital tools
- Flowchart: an election, step by step
- FPTP is used for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas; PR (STV) for the Rajya Sabha, President, Vice-President and Vidhan Parishad.
- STV quota = (total valid votes ÷ (seats to be filled + 1)) + 1.
- Delimitation Commissions were set up in 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002.
A real page from the book
Get the full chapter in the book
This page is a summary. The Class 9 Social Science Short Notes has the complete chapter in colour, with every diagram and worked example.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between FPTP and proportional representation?
In FPTP, the candidate with the most votes wins the seat, even below 50%. In proportional representation, people vote for a party and seats are shared in proportion to the votes each party gets.
When was the Election Commission of India set up?
The ECI was set up on 25 January 1950 under Articles 324–329. It is an autonomous, permanent constitutional body that conducts elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President.
What is the Anti-Defection Law?
It came through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1985. A member who voluntarily gives up party membership or votes against the party whip can be disqualified; the Speaker or Chairman decides.
← Part 1 · Chapter 6: DemocracyPart 1 · Chapter 8: Building Blocks in Economics: The Problem of Choice →
