NCERT solutions for Social Science Exploring Society India and Beyond Part 1 [English] Class 8 chapter 5 - Universal Franchise and India’s Electoral System [Latest edition]

What is the Universal Adult Franchise?

What is an electoral system?

How does India’s electoral system work?

India changed the minimum age for voting from 21 to 18 in 1988. Discuss whether this was a good move.

In 1947, our literacy rate was about 14 per cent, only about 8 per cent among women. Some argued that the right to vote should be given only to literate people. Discuss in your group why the Constitution makers may have decided on universal franchise from the time of Independence itself.

Discuss in groups - What role do such measures play in a democracy? Do you know of anyone who benefited from these improved accessibility measures? How might they increase voter participation in your neighbourhood? How can technology assist?

If you have access to the internet, visit the ECI website (https://www. eci.gov.in/persons-withdisabilities). Read and identify the various interventions that the ECI has taken to facilitate voting by people with disabilities.

About 34 per cent of eligible voters did not exercise their right to vote in the 2024 elections. Why do you think this is so?

What are some challenges people face in exercising their rights?

Design and conduct a short survey among adults in your family and neighbourhood to answer these questions. Analyse the data and write a report with suggestions on how it may be possible to ensure everyone votes.

What are the most important aspects of the election process in this caselet?

Why was it important to have a secret ballot?

What considerations might the students have had while exercising their choice?

Do you think the students have any responsibility after Gurmat was elected as the class rep? If yes, what are they?

What was the role that Ms. Usha played? Why was it important?

Why was it important for Ms. Usha to organise a braille ballot paper for Neha?

What would happen if many students in the class chose not to mark a preference?

Imagine if a student did not want to vote for any of the candidates Ahmed, Gurmat, or Ravi. What option would they have? 

Identify teachers in your school or vicinity who may have performed election duty. Invite them to your class to share their experiences.

Why do you think these might be violations of the code of conduct?

When is the next election in the region where you are located? Is it to the state, urban local body or panchayat?

The legislative assembly is called by several names in regional languages, for example, Vidhan Sabha and Niyama Sabha. What is it called in your state?

Who are the MP and MLA/MLAs of the constituency you are located in? (A Lok Sabha constituency may have two or more assembly constituencies.)

Which party does each of them belong to?

What are the concerns of the MP and MLA, respectively?

Why do you think the above group of people is not involved in electing the President of India? Why are the common people not involved in the election of the president?

Why is universal adult franchise important for a healthy democracy?

What is the meaning of ‘secret ballot’?

Why is a secret ballot important in a democracy?

Give examples of direct elections.

Give examples of indirect elections.

How is the election of members to the Lok Sabha different from that to the Rajya Sabha?

What, in your view, are the advantages of the EVM over paper ballots?

Voter turnout has been declining in some urban areas of India. What could be the reasons for this trend, and what steps can be taken to encourage more people to vote?

Why do you think a proportion of seats in the Lok Sabha is reserved for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes? Write a short note.

Social media is changing the way we experience elections from catchy campaign reels and live speeches to political debates on Instagram and Twitter. But is this strengthening democracy or confusing it? Discuss in pairs: what are the benefits, and what might the future of elections be in a digital age?

Visit the website http//www.indiavotes.com, and choose a parliamentary constituency election from any year and explore its results. Do the same for an assembly election in your state.