Chapter 7 Elections Notes Class 9

“Chapter 7 Elections Notes Class 9“ is based on the chapter 7 of NCERT class 9 textbook, Understanding Society: India and Beyond Grade 9 – Part 1

We have structured the notes by making use of tables, flow charts and bullet points. This will help you to prepare the chapter quickly and remember for longer.

CHAPTER WISE NOTES: Understanding Society: India and Beyond Grade 9 – Part 1

Why do Elections Matter?

An election:
is a process through which we exercise the right to vote and fulfil our responsibility as citizens.

Elections give people the power to choose, change, and hold their representatives accountable.

People
↓
Vote
↓
Choose Representatives
↓
Form Government
↓
Governments need fresh mandate
through periodic elections.
↓
Representatives Accountable to People

Types of Elections

Why Elections are Important

Election
├── Gives Citizens a Choice
├── Enables Formation of Government
├── Ensures Accountability
├── Renews People’s Mandate
└── Strengthens Democracy

Don’t Confuse

Inside India’s Election Machinery

Free, fair elections in India run through:
laws, coordinated systems, and key stakeholders at all levels.

Constitution & Laws
↓
Define Powers & Functions
↓
Stakeholders (ECI, Parties, Civil Society, Media, Voters)
↓
Free, Fair & Transparent Elections

Stakeholders

The Electoral System

An electoral system converts votes into legislative seats.

India uses FPTP for Lok Sabha & Vidhan Sabha, and Proportional Representation for Rajya Sabha, President, VP & Vidhan Parishad.

Votes Cast
↓
Electoral System Applied
↓
FPTP ──► Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha
Proportional Representation ──► Rajya Sabha, President, VP, Vidhan Parishad
↓
Seats Allocated

Types of Electoral Systems

Vidhan Parishad

Vidhan Parishad (Upper House)
Members are
├── Elected by Vidhan Sabha members
├── Elected by Local Bodies
├── Elected by Graduates & Teachers
└── Nominated by Governor (Art, Science, Literature, Social Service, Co-operatives)

Bicameral States – 6 states

States:
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh

Don’t Confuse

Single transferable vote system

The Laws

Elections in India are governed by:
two Representation of the People Acts and the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Act, 1952.

Delimitation Commission

Delimitation :
Ensures equal representation by adjusting constituencies according to population changes.

What is Delimitation?

Delimitation:
├── Determines Number of Seats
└── Fixes Constituency Boundaries

For elections to:
Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha

Why is Delimitation Needed?

Population changes
[increase or decrease]
↓
Delimitation Process
↓
Redraw Constituency Boundaries
+
Fix Seats No. of seats
↓
Equal Seat-to-Population Ratio

Problem Without Delimitation

Election Commission of India (ECI)

ECI is the constitutional body controlling India’s entire election process — rolls, schedules, parties, and fairness.

What is the Election Administration Structure

Election Commission of India (ECI)
↓
Chief Electoral Officer (State)
↓
District Election Officers
(District Magistrates)
Returning Officers
(Sub-Divisional Magistrates)
Electoral Registration Officers
(Tahsildars)
↓
Conduct Elections

What is the function of ECI

ECI Functions
├── Prepares & Revises Electoral Rolls (SIR)
├── Decides Election Schedule & Dates
├── Registers Parties & Allots Symbols
└── Ensures Free, Fair & Inclusive Elections

1. ECI creates the electoral roll:

Prepare the list of eligible voters.

Process

Household Survey by Enumerators
↓
Data Collection
↓
Electoral Roll Preparation
↓
Claims & Objections
↓
Final Electoral Roll

SIR Process

SIR (Special Intensive Revision)
⁕ Adds: New 18+ voters, missed-out eligible citizens
⁕ Deletes: Deceased, shifted residence, duplicates, untraceable
⁕ Claims/Objections Window
⁕ Final Electoral Roll Published

2. ECI decides the schedule and date for the election

Legislature Term Ends (5 yrs) Or Dissolved Early
↓
ECI Activates Election Machinery
↓
Considers: Weather, Agriculture, Exams, Festivals
↓
Election Schedule & Dates Fixed

Factors Considered before announcing election dates:
● Weather
● Agricultural Cycle
● Festivals School/University Exams
● Local Conditions

3. ECI registers political parties and allocates symbols:

ECI registers parties, ensures inner party democracy, classifies parties, and allots election symbols.

Process

Political Party
↓
Registers with ECI
↓
ECI Classifies Party
↓
National / State / Registered-Unrecognised
↓
Symbol Allotted (National & State Parties)

Party Classification

4. Ensuring free and fair elections

Elections must be fair, inclusive & transparent — ECI uses inclusive initiatives and technology to ensure this.

Fair Election Process
↓
Impartial + Inclusive + Trustworthy
↓
Public Confidence in Institutions
↓
Meaningful Democracy

Threats to Fairness

Unfair Practices:
● Candidates influenced by personal favors
● Inaccurate vote counting
● Accessibility barriers to voting

And these three things :
Reduces Democratic Value of Elections

Inclusive Initiatives

Political Parties

Political Parties connect citizens, candidates, and government,
helping democracy function effectively.

Role of Political Parties

Political Parties
↓
Set Agenda + Present Promises
↓
Inform Voters (Rallies, Media, Debates)
↓
Contest Elections
↓
Voters Choose Candidates
↓
Winning Party Form Government
↓
Implement Policies
↓
Democracy Functions (Governance, Accountability, Representation)

Why are Political Parties Important?

Because Political Parties
│
├── Organize Public Opinion
├── Present Policies
├── Offer Choices to Voters
├── Ensure Representation
├── Provide Governance
└── Ensure Accountability

How Voters Learn About Candidates

Political Party
↓
Manifesto(Party’s promises & policies)
↓
Campaigns & Rallies
↓
Media Discussions
↓
Informed Voters

Functions of Political Parties

Multi-Party System

Meaning

India’s Diversity (Language, Culture, Religion, Region)
↓
Multi-Party System
↓
Many Parties Compete in Elections

Significance of multi party system

● Reflects India’s diversity
● Represents different regions
● Represents different languages
● Represents different cultures
● Represents different interests

Defection

Meaning

A member elected on a party ticket leaves the party or acts against party decisions.

Defection Process

Elected on Party Ticket
↓
Leaves Party
OR
Votes Against Party
↓
Defection

Two views on Defection

Don’t Confuse

Criteria for National and State Party Recognition

Parties gain National or State recognition by meeting vote-share or seat-based criteria set by ECI.

National Party Recognition (any ONE condition)

State Party Recognition (any ONE condition)

Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPP)

RUPP:
● Did not secure required vote % in elections
● Never contested any election since registration

Challenges to Free and Fair Elections

Challenges (Misinformation, Fake News, Intimidation)
↓
ECI Countermeasures
↓
RPA 1950/1951 + Model Code of Conduct + EVM + VVPAT + Awareness Campaigns
↓
Representative & Robust Democracy

Measures Taken

Remember