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Elections - Election Laws, Electoral Reforms, Anti-Defection Law MCQs

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From the 100 in PrepShark’s Elections - Election Laws, Electoral Reforms, Anti-Defection Law set (Indian Polity). Pick an answer, then open the explanation.

Question 01
Consider the following statements regarding restrictions during elections: 1. Public meetings and the display of election matter through television are prohibited during the 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll. 2. Exit poll results may be published once the poll in a particular phase is over, even if later phases are pending. 3. The sale of liquor is prohibited in the polling area during the 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll. Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Option A: 1 and 2 only
2. Option B: 2 and 3 only
3. Option C: 1 and 3 only
4. Option D: 1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Answer: C. 1 and 3 only
**Statement 1 is correct.** **Section 126** of the **1951 Act** creates this **silence period** of **48 hours**. **Statement 2 is incorrect.** **Section 126A** (inserted **2009**) bans exit polls from the **start of the first phase** until **half an hour after the close of the last phase**. **Statement 3 is correct.** **Section 135C**, inserted in **1996**, prohibits liquor sale for the same **48-hour** window.
Question 02
In Mohinder Singh Gill v. Chief Election Commissioner (1978), the Supreme Court characterised the power of the Election Commission under Article 324 as
1. Option A: a purely ministerial power to implement the Representation of the People Acts, with no residual discretion
2. Option B: a power that is wholly immune from judicial review because of Article 329
3. Option C: a plenary reservoir of power that can be used where the enacted law is silent, but not in contravention of the law made by Parliament
4. Option D: a power that can override any law made by Parliament on elections, since Article 324 is a constitutional provision
Answer and explanation
Answer: C. a plenary reservoir of power that can be used where the enacted law is silent, but not in contravention of the law made by Parliament
**Why C is correct.** The Court held Article 324 to be a **reservoir of power** for situations **not covered by law**, which must still operate **within** enacted law and conform to natural justice. **Why A is incorrect.** The Court expressly rejected a narrow, purely ministerial reading of the Commission's role. **Why B is incorrect.** **Article 329(b)** only **defers** challenges to an **election petition**; the Commission's orders can be examined in that petition and are **not wholly immune**. **Why D is incorrect.** Article 324 is subject to laws made under **Article 327**; it fills gaps rather than overriding statutes.
Question 03
Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India, under whom the first general elections of 1951-52 were held?
1. Option A: V.S. Ramadevi
2. Option B: Sukumar Sen
3. Option C: K.V.K. Sundaram
4. Option D: S.P. Sen Verma
Answer and explanation
Answer: B. Sukumar Sen
**Why B is correct.** **Sukumar Sen** (1950-1958) conducted the **1951-52** and **1957** general elections. **Why A is incorrect.** **V.S. Ramadevi** (1990) was the **first woman** CEC, decades later. **Why C is incorrect.** **K.V.K. Sundaram** was the **second** CEC (1958-1967). **Why D is incorrect.** **S.P. Sen Verma** was the **third** CEC.
Question 04
National Voters' Day is observed on 25 January because
1. Option A: the Election Commission of India was established on that date in 1950
2. Option B: the first general election began on that date
3. Option C: the Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on that date
4. Option D: the 61st Amendment lowering the voting age came into force on that date
Answer and explanation
Answer: A. the Election Commission of India was established on that date in 1950
**Why A is correct.** The Commission was constituted on **25 January 1950**, a day before the Republic; National Voters' Day has been observed since **2011**. **Why B is incorrect.** Polling in the first general election began in **October 1951**. **Why C is incorrect.** The Constitution was **adopted on 26 November 1949**. **Why D is incorrect.** The 61st Amendment came into force in **1989**, not on that date.
Question 05
Consider the following statements regarding the security deposit in elections to the Lok Sabha: 1. A candidate who is not a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe must deposit twenty-five thousand rupees. 2. A candidate belonging to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe deposits half of that amount. 3. The deposit is forfeited if a defeated candidate fails to secure more than one-tenth of the total valid votes polled. Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. Option A: 1 only
2. Option B: 1 and 2 only
3. Option C: 2 and 3 only
4. Option D: 1, 2 and 3
Answer and explanation
Answer: B. 1 and 2 only
**Statement 1 is correct.** **Section 34** fixes the Lok Sabha deposit at **₹25,000**; it was raised from ₹10,000 by the **2009** amendment. **Statement 2 is correct.** SC and ST candidates deposit **₹12,500**. For an Assembly seat the figures are **₹10,000** and **₹5,000**. **Statement 3 is incorrect.** Under **Section 158**, the deposit is forfeited if the votes polled do **not exceed one-sixth** of the total valid votes, not one-tenth.

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