Election, Political Parties and Pressure Groups — Class 9 Social Science (Samacheer Kalvi)
TN State Board (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 9 Social Science, Civics — Chapter 2. How elections work, political parties, and pressure groups in India.
1. About this lesson
This chapter explains India's electoral system (adapted from the UK), the role of the Election Commission, types of elections, the functions of political parties (national and regional), and pressure groups that influence policy without contesting elections.
2. Elections in India
Electoral System
- India adopted the electoral system of the United Kingdom (Westminster model).
- First Past the Post (FPTP): The candidate with the most votes wins (no proportional representation).
Election Commission of India
- Independent constitutional body under Article 324.
- Conducts free and fair elections for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, President, and Vice President.
- Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) + Election Commissioners appointed by the President.
Types of Elections in India
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| General Election (Lok Sabha) | Every 5 years; elect MPs to Lok Sabha |
| State Assembly Election | Every 5 years; elect MLAs to Vidhan Sabha |
| By-Election | Fill a vacant seat between general elections |
| Mid-term Election | If Lok Sabha/Assembly dissolved before 5 years |
Key Election Terms
- Constituency: A geographical area from which voters elect a representative.
- Universal Adult Franchise: All citizens 18+ years have the right to vote.
- Electoral Roll / Voter List: List of all registered voters.
- NOTA (None of the Above): Option to reject all candidates.
- EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail).
3. Political Parties
Functions
- Contest elections and form government.
- Formulate policies and programmes (manifesto).
- Play the role of opposition when not in power.
- Educate citizens and mobilise public opinion.
- Link the government and the people.
Types of Political Parties in India
| Type | Features | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| National Party | Recognised in 4+ states; has a reserved symbol across India | INC, BJP, CPI(M), BSP, NCP |
| Regional / State Party | Significant presence in one or few states | DMK, AIADMK (Tamil Nadu), TMC (West Bengal) |
Party System in India
- India has a multi-party system (unlike the two-party system of the USA/UK).
4. Pressure Groups and Interest Groups
- Pressure Group: An organized group that tries to influence government policy without contesting elections.
- Interest Group: Promotes interests of a specific section (e.g., trade unions, farmers' associations, student unions).
- Methods: lobbying, protests, strikes, media campaigns, petitions.
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Trade Union | AITUC, INTUC |
| Farmers | Bharatiya Kisan Union |
| Business | FICCI, CII |
| Students | AISF, NSUI |
| Professional | Bar Council of India, IMA |
5. Worked examples
Example 1. Which country's electoral system did India adopt? The United Kingdom (Westminster FPTP model).
Example 2. What is NOTA? None of the Above — the option to reject all candidates on the ballot.
Example 3. Name a national party and a regional party. National: BJP or INC. Regional: DMK (Tamil Nadu).
6. Book-back questions (Samacheer Kalvi)
I. Choose the correct answer
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India has adapted the electoral system followed in the — (a) USA / (b) United Kingdom / (c) Canada / (d) Russia. Ans: (b) United Kingdom.
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The Election Commission of India is a — (a) Statutory body / (b) Independent constitutional body / (c) Government department / (d) Advisory body. Ans: (b) Independent constitutional body (under Article 324).
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NOTA was introduced in India in the year — (a) 2010 / (b) 2013 / (c) 2013 / (d) 2015. Ans: (c) 2013.
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The minimum age for voting in India is — (a) 21 / (b) 20 / (c) 19 / (d) 18. Ans: (d) 18 years.
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A political party recognised in 4 or more states is called — (a) National Party / (b) Regional Party / (c) State Party / (d) Local Party. Ans: (a) National Party.
II. Fill in the blanks
- India follows the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system.
- The voters' list is officially called the Electoral Roll.
- Pressure groups try to influence government policy without contesting elections.
- India has a multi-party system.
- The Election Commission conducts elections in India.
III. Find out the correct statement
- (a) India adopted the US electoral system → Wrong. India adopted the UK system. (b) A person can vote at age 16 in India → Wrong. Minimum voting age is 18. (c) Pressure groups contest elections → Wrong. Pressure groups influence policy but do NOT contest elections. (d) India has a multi-party system → Correct.
IV. Match the following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| Election Commission | Constitutional body; free and fair elections |
| NOTA | None of the Above |
| National Party | Recognised in 4+ states |
| Pressure Group | Influences policy; doesn't contest elections |
| Universal Adult Franchise | All 18+ have the right to vote |
V. Answer briefly
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What is the role of the Election Commission? — Independent constitutional body under Article 324. Conducts free and fair elections for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, President, and Vice President.
-
What is First Past the Post system? — The candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency wins. Used in Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections. India adopted it from the UK.
-
Differentiate national and regional parties. — National: recognised in 4+ states; reserved symbol across India; e.g., INC, BJP. Regional: significant in one/few states; e.g., DMK (TN), TMC (WB).
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What are pressure groups? — Organized groups that influence government policy without contesting elections. Use lobbying, protests, strikes. Examples: Trade unions (AITUC), farmers (BKU), business (FICCI).
VI. Answer in detail
-
Explain the types of elections in India.
- General Election: Every 5 years for Lok Sabha (MPs).
- State Assembly Election: Every 5 years for Vidhan Sabha (MLAs).
- By-Election: Fills a vacant seat between general elections.
- Mid-term Election: If a house is dissolved before 5 years.
- Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections.
-
Discuss the functions of political parties.
- Contest elections and form government.
- Formulate policies and issue manifestos.
- Act as opposition — hold government accountable.
- Educate citizens; mobilise public opinion.
- Link the government and the people.
7. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Pressure groups contest elections. Fix: Pressure groups influence policy but do NOT contest elections. Political parties contest elections.
- Mistake: India adopted the US electoral system. Fix: India adopted the UK (Westminster/FPTP) system.
- Mistake: India has a two-party system. Fix: India has a multi-party system.
- Mistake: Voting age in India is 21. Fix: Voting age is 18 (61st Amendment, 1989).
8. Quick revision
- Civics Ch 2 · Election, Political Parties and Pressure Groups.
- Electoral system: UK model, FPTP. Election Commission (Article 324). NOTA (2013).
- Elections: General (Lok Sabha), Assembly, By-election, Mid-term.
- Universal Adult Franchise: 18+. EVM + VVPAT.
- Parties: National (4+ states), Regional/State. Multi-party system.
- Pressure groups: Influence policy, don't contest. Trade unions, farmers, business, students.
