Q 1.

There are 543 Parliamentary constituencies in India each electing one membe
r. Who demarcates the boundaries of these constituencies?
Ans. Delimitation Commission
Under Article 82 of the Constitution, the Parliament by law enacts a Delimitatio
n Act after every census. After coming into force commencement of the Act, the C
entral Government constitutes a Delimitation Commission. This Delimitation Commi
ssion demarcates the boundaries of the Parliamentary Constituencies as per provi
sions of the Delimitation Act. The present delimitation of constituencies has be
en done on the basis of 2001 census figures under the provisions of Delimitation
Act, 2002. Notwithstanding the above, the Constitution of India was specificall
y amended in 2002 not to have delimitation of constituencies till the first cens
us after 2026. Thus, the present Constituencies carved out on the basis of 2001
census shall continue to be in operation till the first census after 2026..
Q 2. What is the main basis for allocation of seats to various States in the Lok
Sabha?
Ans. Population of the State
Population is the basis of allocation of seats of the Lok Sabha. As far as possi
ble, every State gets representation in the Lok Sabha in proportion to its popul
ation as per census figures.
Q 3. Is there any reservation of seats for any special category in Lok Sabha?
Ans. Yes
In Lok Sabha there is reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tr
ibes. Here also census figures are taken into account.
Q 4. On what basis is this reservation made?
Ans. Allocation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the Lok Sabha are ma
de on the basis of proportion of Scheduled Castes and Tribes in the State concer
ned to that of the total population, vide provision contained in Article 330 of
the Constitution of India read with Section 3 of the R. P. Act, 1950.
Q 5. How many seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes in Lok Sabha?
Ans. 84
For Scheduled Castes, 84 seats are reserved in Lok Sabha. The 1st schedule to Re
presentation of People Act, 1950 as amended vide Representation of People (Amend
ment) Act , 2008 gives the Statewise breakup.
Q 6. How many seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes in Lok Sabha?
Ans. 47
For Scheduled Tribes, 47 seats are reserved in Lok Sabha. The 1st schedule to R.
P. Act, 1950 as amended vide Representation of People (Amendment) Act , 2008 g
ives the Statewise break up.
Q 7. Which are the States having the minimum number of seats in Lok Sabha?
Ans. The following States and Union Territories have one seat each in the Lok Sa
bha
Mizoram
Nagaland
Sikkim
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Chandigarh
Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Daman and Diu
Lakshadweep
Pondicherry
Q 8. How many States are there in India?
Ans. 28
There are 28 states in India viz. Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Biha
r, Jharkhand, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnat
aka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizo
ram, Nagaland, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pra
desh, Uttaranchal and West Bengal.
Q 9. How many Union Territories are in India?
Ans. Seven
There are 7 Union Territories in India. Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh,
Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep and Pondicherry.
Q 10. For every State, there has to be a Legislative Assembly, but it is not so
in the case of all Union Territories. Which are the U.Ts. having a Legislative A
ssembly?
Ans. Two
Out of the 7 Union Territories, only Delhi and Pondicherry have Legislative Asse
mblies.Q.1. Is it necessary for an association to get registered by the Election
Commission?
Ans. No
It is not necessary for every association to get registered by the Election Comm
ission. Only an association or body of individual citizens of India calling itse
lf a political party and intending to avail itself of the provisions of Part-IV-
A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, (relating to registration of po
litical parties) is required to get itself registered with the Election Commissi
on of India.
Q.2. What are the benefits of registration with the Election Commission of India
?
Ans. The candidates set up by a political party registered with the Election Com
mission of India will get preference in the matter of allotment of free symbols
vis-à-vis purely independent candidates. Further, registered political parties, in
course of time, can get recognition as `State Party or National Party subject to
the fulfillment of the conditions prescribed by the Commission in the Election S
ymbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, as amended from time to time. If
a party is recognised as a State Party , it is entitled for exclusive allotment o
f its reserved symbol to the candidates set up by it in the State of States in w
hich it is so recognised, and if a party is recognised as a `National Party it is
entitled for exclusive allotment of its reserved symbol to the candidates set u
p by it throughout India. Recognised `State and `National parties need only one pr
oposer for filing the nomination and are also entitled for two sets of electoral
 rolls free of cost and broadcast/telecast facilities over Akashvani/Doordarshan
during general elections.

Q.3. What is the procedure for registration?

Ans. An application for registration is to be submitted to the Secretary, Electi
on Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001 in the pr
oforma prescribed by the Commission. The Performa is available on request by pos
t or across the counter from the office of the Commission. The proforma and nece
ssary guidelines are also available on the Commission's website under the main h
eading Judicial References, sub-heading Political Party and sub-sub-heading Regi
stration of Political Parties(Click Here). The same can be downloaded from there
also. The application should be neatly typed on the partyâ s letter head, if any, an
d it should be sent by registered post or presented personally to the Secretary
to the Election Commission within thirty days following the date of formation of
the party.
2. The application must be accompanied by the following documents/information:-
(i) A demand draft for Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) on account of pro
cessing fee drawn in favour of Under Secretary, Election Commission of India, Ne
w Delhi. The processing fee is non-refundable.
(ii) A neatly typed/printed copy of the memorandum/rules and regulations/Constit
ution of the Party containing a specific provision as required under sub-section
(5) of Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 in the exact t
erms, which reads "---------------(name of the party) shall bear true faith and
allegiance to the constitution of India as by law established, and to the princi
ples of socialism, secularism and democracy and would uphold the sovereignty, un
ity and integrity of India". The above mandatory provision must be included in t
he text of party constitution/rules and regulations/memorandum itself as one of
the Articles/clauses.
(iii) The copy of the party Constitution should be duly authenticated on each pa
ge by the General Secretary/President/Chairman of the Party and the seal of the
signatory should be affixed thereon.
(iv) There should be a specific provision in the Constitution/rules and regulati
ons/memorandum of the party regarding organizational elections at different leve
ls and the periodicity of such elections and terms of office of the office-beare
rs of the party.
(v) The procedure to be adopted in the case of merger/dissolution should be spec
ifically provided in the Constitution/rules and regulations/memorandum.
(vi) Certified extracts from the latest electoral rolls in respect of at least 1
00 members of the party (including all office-bearers/members of main decision-m
aking organs like Executive Committee/Executive Council) to show that they are r
egistered electors.
(vii) An affidavit duty signed by the President/General Secretary of the party a
nd sworn before a First Class Magistrate/Oath Commissioner)/ Notary Public to th
e effect that no member of the party is a member of any other political party re
gistered with the Commission.
(viii) Individual affidavits from at least 100 members of the party to the effec
t that the said member is a registered elector and that he is not a member of an
y other political party registered with the Commission duly sworn before a First
Class Magistrate/Oath Commissioner)/Notary Public. These affidavits shall be in
addition to the furnishing of certified extracts of electoral rolls in respect
of the 100 members of the applicant party mentioned at (vi) above.
(ix)Particulars of Bank accounts and Permanent Account Number, if any, in the na
me of the party.
(x)Duly completed CHECK LIST alongwith requisite documents prescribed therein.
3. The application along with all the required documents mentioned above should
reach the Secretary to the Commission within 30 days following the date of forma
tion of the party.
4. Any application made after the said period will be time-barred.

Q.4. What are the criteria for recognition of a party?

Ans. A political party shall be treated as a recognised political party in a Sta
te, if and only if either the conditions specified in Clause (A) are, or the con
dition specified in Clause (B) is, fulfilled by that party and not otherwise, th
at is to say-
(A) that such party
has been engaged in political activity for a continuous period of five years; an
d
has, at the last general election in that State to the House of the People, or,
as the case may be, to the Legislative Assembly of the State, returned-
either ( i ) at least one member to the House of the People for every twenty-fiv
e members of that House or any fraction of that number from that State;
or (ii) at least one member to the Legislative Assembly of that State for every
thirty members of that Assembly or any fraction of that number;
(B) that the total number of valid votes polled by all the contesting candidates
set up by such party at the last general election in the State to the House of
the People, or as the case may be, to the Legislative Assembly of the State, is
not less than six per cent of the total number of valid votes polled by all the
contesting candidates at such general election in the State.
2. The conditions in Clause (A) or Clause (B) above shall not be deemed to have
been fulfilled by a political party, if a member of the House of the People or t
he Legislative Assembly of the State becomes a member of that political party af
ter his election to that House or, as the case may be, that Assembly.
3. 'State includes the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territor
y of Pondicherry.

4. If a political party is treated as a recognised political party in four or mo

re States, it shall be known as a `National Party throughout the whole of India,
but only so long as that political party continues to fulfill thereafter the con
ditions for recognition in four or more States on the results of any subsequent
general election either to the House of the People or to the Legislative Assembl
y of any State.
5. If a political party is treated as a recognised political party in less than
four States, it should be known as a `State Party in the State or States in which
it is so recognised, but only so long as that political party continues to fulf
ill thereafter the conditions for recognition on the results of any subsequent g
eneral election to the House of the People or, as the case may be, to the Legisl
ative Assembly of the State, in the said State or States.
Q 1. For every constituency, there is a list of voters which is called electoral
roll. What is the minimum age for enrollment in an electoral roll?
Ans. Eighteen
For every constituency, there is a voters list Article 326 of the Constitution,
and Sec. 19 of R. P. Act, 1950 stipulate that the minimum age for registration o
f a voter is 18 years.
Q 2. Was 18 the minimum voting age in India from the beginning?
Ans. No
Earlier, the age for registration of a voter was 21 years. Through the 61st amen
dment Act, 1988 of the Constitution read with Act 21 of 1989 amending the R. P.
Act, 1950, the minimum age of registration of a voter has been brought down to 1
8 years. This has been made effective from 28th March, 1989.
Q 3. Which is the relevant date for determining the age qualification of 18 year
s? Suppose, you have completed 18 years of age today. Can you get yourself regis
tered as voter ?
Ans. According to Section 14 (b) of the R. P. Act, 1950, the qualifying date mea
ns the first day of January of the year in which the electoral roll is prepared
or revised.
Q 4. Can a non-citizen of India become a voter?
Ans. No
A person who is not a citizen of India cannot be registered as a voter. Article
326 of the Constitution read with Sec. 16 of R. P. Act, 1950 clarify the point.
Q 5. Can a non-resident Indian citizen become a voter?
Ans. According to Section 19 of the R. P. Act, 1950, only a person who is ordina
rily resident in a constituency is entitled to be registered in the electoral ro
ll of that constituency. However, such of the non-resident Indian Citizens who a
re employed under Govt. of India in a post outside India are eligible to be regi
stered as voters in terms of Sec 20 (8) (d) read with Sec 20 (3) of the R. P. Ac
t, 1950.
Q 6. If I am working and living in Delhi, can I be a voter in my native village?
Ans. No
If you are working in Delhi and residing there, you are an ordinary resident of
Delhi in terms of Sec 19 (b). Therefore you can be enrolled at Delhi only and no
t in your native village.
Q 7. Can one be enrolled at more than one place?
Ans. No
A person cannot be enrolled as a voter in more than one place in the same consti
tuency or in more than one constituency in view of the provisions contained unde
r Sec. 17 and 18 of R. P. Act, 1950.
Q 8. How can I get registered/enrolled in the Electoral Roll?
Ans. You have to submit a filled in Form - 6 to the ERO of the Assembly Constitu
ency.
Q. 9. What is the procedure to make corrections in such names / other details th
at have been misspelt in the Electoral Roll?
Ans. For incorporation of corrections in the Electoral Rolls, You have to submit
Form - 8 to the ERO of the Assembly Constituency.
Following are the various forms useful for registration as voter, corrections, c
hange in address etc.
For inclusion of names Form 6
For any objection on inclusion of names Form 7
For correction of entries in the Electoral Rolls Form 8
For transposition of entry in electoral roll Form 8A
Q.10. I have shifted my residence recently. How do I ensure that I am enrolled i
n my new place of residence and my name is deleted from the old place?
Ans. In case the new residence is in the same constituency please fill Form 8A o
therwise form 6 and submit to the ERO (SDM) or the AERO of the area of your new
residence.
Q.11. I have shifted my residence recently. I have Photo EPIC Card with the old
address. Can I get new EPIC Card for the present address?
Ans. First of all please ensure that you have enrolled yourself in the Electoral
Roll of the concerned AC, where you are now residing following the procedure gi
ven in Ans. No.10. Subsequently, a new card at the present address will be issue
d to you.
Q.12. My old EPIC Card is defective. I would like to have a new EPIC Card with c
orrect particulars. What is the procedure?
Ans. You can get your I Card rectified by depositing it in the Office of the ERO
concerned or at Photography Centre when the work of preparation of Photo ID car
d begins.
Q.13. I do not have a ration card. Can I get enrolled without a ration card? Wha
t are the other documents, which I can show as proof of my residence?
Ans. Ration Card is not necessary, however, you can show any other proof of resi
dence like Passport, Bank Pass Book, Driving license etc. or any Govt. document
to facilitate the work of registration.
Q.14. I am a tenant and my landlord does not want me to get enrolled. How can I
get enrolled as a voter?
Ans. To get enrolled in the voter list is your statutory right. Please check the
 Electoral roll of your area ERO (SDM)/AERO office. If your name is not included
please fill up Form 6 and deposit it with the ERO.
Q.15. I have attained / will be attaining the age of 18. What proof do I need to
show to get enrolled?
Ans. You can submit the proof of Date of Birth from the authorized agency (Passp
ort, Matric certificate, Date of Birth certificate etc.)
Q.16. When I fill up Form 4, should I attach proof of my residence with Form 4?
Ans. It is not essential but if you attach a proof of residence, it will help ea
rly verification of the particulars given by you.
Q.17. An Enumerator has visited my house and taken down the details. How do I en
sure that my name is finally included in the electoral rolls?
Ans. He must have handed over to you the record of Enumeration, which is your ac
knowledgement. You can check your name in the draft roll, which will be publishe
d and available at the office of the ERO concerned to confirm that your name exi
sts in the roll.
Q.18. I have lost my old EPIC Card. How can I get a new EPIC Card?
Ans. You can deposit a copy of the FIR lodged at the Police Station. You will ge
t a new EPIC Card after deposit of Rs. 25. The dates for issuing EPIC Cards are
published in leading Newspapers.
Q.19. Who is responsible for the preparation of electoral rolls for a Parliament
ary or Assembly Constituency?
Ans. The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO). In the case of Delhi, these are t
he area Sub-Divisional Magistrates/Additional District Magistates. The Electoral
Registration officer is responsible for the preparation of electoral rolls for
an Assembly Constituency which itself is the roll for the Parliamentary Constitu
ency in so far as that Assembly Segment is concerned.
Q.20. Who appoints the Electoral Registration officer?
Ans. Under section 13B of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Electi
on Commission of India, in consultation with the State/UT Government, appoints a
n Officer of the Government or the Local Authorities as the Electoral Registrati
on Officer. In addition, the Election Commission of India also appoints one or m
ore Assistant Electoral Registration Officers to assist the Electoral Registrati
on Officer in the performance of his functions in the matter of preparation/revi
sion of electoral rolls.
Q 1. Can a non-citizen be a candidate?
Ans. No
A non citizen cannot be a contesting candidate in the elections. Article 84 (a)
of the Constitution of India envisages that a person shall not be qualified to b
e chosen to fill up a seat in the Parliament unless he is a citizen of India. Si
milar provision exists for State Legislative Assemblies in Article 173 (a) of th
e Constitution.
Q 2 What is the minimum age for becoming a candidate for Lok Sabha or Assembly e
lection?
Ans. Twenty Five Years
Article 84 (b) of Constitution of India provides that the minimum age for becomi
ng a candidate for Lok Sabha election shall be 25 years. Similar provision exist
s for a candidate to the Legislative Assemblies vide Article 173 (b) of the Cons
titution read with Sec. 36 (2) of the R. P. Act, 1950.
Q 3. If I am not registered as a voter in any Constituency, can I contest electi
on?
Ans. No
For contesting an election as a candidate a person must be registered as a voter
. Sec 4 (d) of Representation People Act, 1951 precludes a person from contestin
g unless he is an elector in any parliamentary constituency. Section 5 (c) of R.
P. Act, 1951 has a similar provision for Assembly Constituencies.
Q 4. I am registered as a voter in Delhi. Can I contest election to Lok Sabha fr
om Haryana or Maharashtra, or Orissa?
Ans. Yes
If you are a registered voter in Delhi, you can contest an election to Lok Sabha
from any constituency in the country except Assam, Lakshadweep and Sikkim, as p
er Section 4 (c), 4 (cc) and 4 (ccc) of the R. P. Act, 1951.
Q 5. If some body is convicted for some offence and he is sentenced to imprisonm
ent for 3 years, can he contest elections?
Ans. No
As per Section 8 (3) of R. P. Act, 1951, if a person is convicted of any offence
and sentenced to an imprisonment of 2 years or more, this will be disqualificat
ion to contest elections.
Q 6. Supposing he is on bail, pending disposal of his appeal, can he contest the
election?
Ans. No
Even if is a person is on bail, after the conviction and his appeal is pending f
or disposal, he is disqualified from contesting an election as per the guideline
s issued by the Election Commission of India.

Q 7. Can a person confined in jail vote in an election?

Ans. No
According to section 62(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, no per
son shall vote at any election if he is confined in a prison, whether under a se
ntence of imprisonment or transportation or otherwise, or is in the lawful custo
dy of the police.
Q 8. Every candidate is required to make security deposit. How much is the secur
ity deposit for Lok Sabha election?
Ans. Rupees Ten Thousand
As per Section 34 1 (a) of R. P. Act, 1951, every candidate is required to make
a security deposit of Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand Only) for Lok Sabha elec
tions.
Q 9. Is there any concession for a candidate belonging to Scheduled Caste or Sch
eduled Tribe?
Ans. Yes
The same section 34 of R. P. Act, 1951 provides that a candidate belonging to Sc
heduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe is required to make a security deposit of Rs.
5,000 (Rupees Five Thousand Only).
Q 10. How much is the security deposit for an Assembly election?
Ans. Rupees Five Thousand
As per Sec. 34 (1) (b) of the R. P. Act 1951, a general candidate for contesting
an Assembly election will have to make a security deposit of Rs. 5,000/-. A can
didate belonging to Scheduled Caste / Tribe will have to make a security deposit
of Rs. 2,500/- (Two Thousand and Five Hundred Only).
Q 11. How much was the security deposit for Lok Sabha election previously?
Ans. During the Lok Sabha elections held in 1996 and earlier, the security depos
it for general and SC / ST candidate was Rs. 500/- (Rupees Five Hundred Only) an
d Rs. 250/- (Rupees Two Hundred and Fifty Only) respectively.
Q 12. How much was the security deposit for elections to Assembly election previ
ously?
Ans. During Assembly elections held in 1996 and earlier, the security deposit fo
r general and SC / ST candidates was Rs. 250/- (Rupees Two Hundred and Fifty Onl
y) and Rs. 125/- (Rupees One Hundred Twenty Five Only) respectively.
Q 13. When was this change in the amount of security deposit made?
Ans. This change in increasing the security deposit was brought about in August,
1996 vide Act 21 of 1996.
Q 14. If you are a candidate of a recognised National or State party, how many p
roposers you require for your nomination?
Ans. Only one
If you are a candidate of a recognised national / state party, you would require
only one elector of the constituency as proposer, vide Sec. 33 of R. P. Act, 19
51.
Q 15. If you are an independent candidate or a candidate of unrecognised politic
al party, how many proposers you require?
Ans. Ten
The same section 33 of R. P. Act, 1951 provides that as an independent candidate
or a candidate of an unrecognised political party, ten electors from the consti
tuency should subscribe your nomination paper as proposers.
Q 16. Can a person contest elections to Lok Sabha from as many constituencies as
he likes?
Ans. No
As per Section 33 (7) of R. P. Act, 1951, a person cannot contest from more than
two constituencies for a Lok Sabha election.

Q 17. Which candidates lose the deposit?

Ans. 3354. A defeated candidate who fails to secure more than one sixth of the v
alid votes polled in the constituency will lose his security deposit.
Q 18. What has been the maximum number of candidates in any constituency in Indi
a at any election so far?
Ans. In Modakurichi Assembly Constituency of Tamil Nadu there were 1033 contesti
ng candidates during the general election to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in
1996. The ballot papers were in the form of a booklet.
Q 19. The Election Commission has recognised some political parties as National
parties and some others as State Parties. How many are National and how many are
State parties ?
Ans. The Election Commission had recognized 6 Political Parties as National Part
ies and 36 Political Parties as State Parties in different States at the time of
General Elections in 2004.
Q 20. On the day of poll, every voter has to go to a polling station to vote. No
rmally, how many voters are assigned to a polling station, under the norms of th
e Election Commission?
Ans. As per the instructions of Election Commission as contained in Para 2 of Ch
apter II of Handbook for Returning Officers, a polling station should be provide
d for a well defined polling area, normally covering about 800 - 1000 electors.
However, in exceptional cases, such number may exceed 1000 to avoid the breakup
of any polling area in large villages or urban area. When the number exceeds 120
0, auxiliary polling stations should be set up. There is provision for setting u
p of polling stations in localities inhabited by the weaker section of the socie
ty, even though the number may be less than 500. If there is a Leprosy Sanatoriu
m a separate polling station may be set up for the inmates alone. Recently the C
ommission has issued instructions for Rationalisation of Polling Stations in the
country, and the limit of electors has been increased to 1500 per polling stati
on, as Electronic Voting Machines are being used now.
Q 21. Normally, under the Commission s norms, how far can a polling station be fro
m your house?
Ans. Not more than 2 Kms.
According to Para 3 of Chapter II of Handbook for Returning Officers, polling st
ations should be set up in such a manner that ordinarily no voter is required to
travel more than two kms to reach his polling station.
Q 22. When you are walking down to your polling station, some candidate or his a
gent offers you a free lift to the polling station. Can you accept that offer of
 lift?
Ans. No
It is a corrupt practice under section 123 (5) of the R. P. Act, 1951. This offe
nce is punishable under Section 133 of the same Act, with imprisonment which may
extend upto 3 months and/or with fine.
Q 23. Can you accept such lift when you are going back to your house after you h
ave cast your vote?
Ans. No
The provision of Corrupt Practice under section 123 (5) as mentioned above will
cover conveyance of any elector, to or from any polling station.
Q 24. Somebody offers you some money to vote for a candidate. Can you accept suc
h money?
Ans. No
Acceptance of money to vote for a candidate is a corrupt practice of bribery und
er Section 123 (1) of R. P. Act, 1951. It is also an offence under section 171-B
of Indian Penal Code and is punishable with imprisonment of either description
for a term which may extend to one year or with fine or both.
Q 25. Somebody offers you some money, not to vote for a certain candidate. Can y
ou accept such money?
Ans. No
The corrupt practice of bribery will also be attracted, if a person accepts mone
y not to vote for a particular candidate.
Q 26. Somebody makes any offer of whisky, liquor or other intoxicant or gives yo
u a dinner to vote for a particular candidate or not to vote for him. Can you ac
cept such offer?
Ans. No
Acceptance of any offer of liquor or other intoxicants or a dinner to vote for a
particular candidate or not to vote for him is bribery.

Q 27. Can any religious or spiritual leader instruct his followers to vote for a
particular candidate, otherwise they will become object of Divine displeasure?
Ans. No
If any person induces or attempts to induce the voter to vote for any particular
candidate or otherwise he will become an object of Divine displeasure, he will
be guilty of the corrupt practice of exercising undue influence on a voter under
sec 123 (2) of R. P. Act, 1951.
It is also an offence under section 171C of Indian Penal Code and punishable wit
h imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year or
with fine or both.
Q 28. Can any one threaten a voter that he would be excommunicated if he votes f
or a particular candidate or does not vote for another particular candidate?
Ans. No
Any threat to a voter that he would be excommunicated if he votes for a particul
ar candidate or does not vote for another particular candidate is a corrupt prac
tice of undue influence under Section 123 (2) of R. P. Act, 1951. It is also pun
ishable under sec 171 F of Indian Penal Code with imprisonment of either descrip
tion for a term which may extend to one year or with fine or with both.
Q 29. Can anyone tell another person that he should vote for a particular person
, or not to vote for him, because the candidate belongs to a particular religion
, caste or creed or speaks a particular language?
Ans. No
Any one telling another person that he should vote for a particular candidate or
not to vote for him because he belongs to a particular religion, caste or creed
or speaks a particular language is a corrupt practice under section 123 (3) of
R. P. Act, 1951.
Q 30. Is a candidate free to spend as much as he likes on his election?
Ans. No
A candidate is not free to spend as much as he likes on his election. The law pr
escribes that the total election expenditure shall not exceed the maximum limit
prescribed under Rule 90 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. It would also a
mount to a corrupt practice under sec 123 (6) of R. P. Act, 1951.
Q 31. What is the limit for election expenditure in a parliamentary constituency
in bigger States, like, UP, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, M.P?
Ans. The limit for election expenditure is revised from time to time. At present
the limit of expenditure for a parliamentary constituency in bigger states like
U. P, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh is Rs. 25 lakhs.
Q 32. What is the limit of such expenditure for an assembly constituency in thes
e bigger States?
Ans. The limit of election expenditure for an assembly constituency in the above
bigger states is Rs. 10 lakhs.
Q 33. What was the limit for the Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies in th
e above States at the time of the last general election in 1999?
Ans. The limit of election expenses in the above bigger states at the time of 19
99 general election was Rs. 15 lakhs for a Parliamentary constituency and Rs. 6
lakhs for an assembly constituency.
Q 34. Are these limits uniform for all States? If not , can you tell the lowest
limit for a parliamentary constituency at present?
Ans. No
The maximum limits of election expenditure vary from State to State. The lowest
limit at present for a parliamentary constituency is Rs. 10 lakhs for the consti
tuency of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep.
Q 35. Are the candidates required to file any account of election expenses?
Ans. Under section 77 of the R.P.Act, 1951, every candidate at an election to th
e House of the People or State Legislative Assembly is required to keep, either
by himself or by his election agent, a separate and correct account of all expen
diture in connection with the selection incurred or authorised by him or his ele
ction agent between the date on which he has been nominated and the date of decl
aration of result, both dates inclusive. Every contesting candidate has to lodge
a true copy of the said account within 30 days of result of the election.
Q 36. Who is the authority to whom such account is to be lodged?
Ans. In every state the account of election expenses shall be lodged by a contes
ting candidate with the District Election Officer of the district in which the c
onstituency from which he contested lies. In the case of Union Territories, such
accounts are to be lodged with the Returning Officer Concerned.
Q 37. If a Candidate is contesting from more than one constituency, is he requir
ed to file separate accounts or only one consolidated account?
Ans. If a candidate is contesting from more than one constituency, he has to lod
ge a separate return of election expenses for every election which he has contes
ted. The election for each constituency is a separate election.
Q 38. What is the penalty if a candidate does not file his account of election e
xpenses?
Ans. Under section 10A of the RP Act, 1951, if the Election Commission is satisf
ied that a person has failed to lodge an account of election expenses with the t
ime and in the manner required by or under that Act and he has no good reason or
justification for the failure, it has the power to disqualify him for a period
of 3 years for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of Parli
ament or the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a State.
Q 39. What is the deadline after which no public meetings and processions can be
taken out?
Ans. As per Sec. 126 of R. P. Act, 1951, no public meetings and processions can
be taken out during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the co
nclusion of poll.
Q 40. On the day of poll, can any one vote in the name of another person, even w
ith his consent?
Ans. No
On the day of poll no one can vote in the name of another even with his consent.
If he does so it would amount to impersonation which is an offence under Sectio
n 171 D of Indian Penal Code. The offence is punishable with imprisonment of eit
her description which may extend to one year or with fine or both.
Q 41. Can any one vote more than once, even if his name is included (wrongly) at
more than one place?
Ans. No
No one can vote more than once even if his name is included at more than one pla
ce. If he does so he will be guilty of impersonation which will be punishable as
above.
Q 42. If you go to your polling station and find that some body else has imperso
nated for you and already voted in your name, can you vote in such circumstance?
Ans. Yes
If a person finds that someone else has already voted in his name, then also he
will be allowed to vote. But his ballot paper will be marked as a Tendered Ballo
t Paper by the Presiding Officer. This will be kept separately in the prescribed
cover, as per Rule 42 of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961.
Q 1. Who is responsible for the counting of votes and declaration of result of a
n election?
Ans. The Returning Officer
According to Sec. 64 of the R. P. Act, 1951, votes are counted by or under the s
upervision / direction of the Returning Officer of the Constituency. When the co
unting is completed, the Returning officer declares the result as per provisions
of Sec. 66 of R. P. Act, 1951.
Q 2. After the declaration of results in all constituencies, which authority wil
l constitute the new Lok Sabha President or the Election Commission?
Ans. Election Commission of India (ECI)
According to Sec. 73 of the R. P. Act, 1951, after the results of all Parliament
ary constituencies are declared, the Election Commission will constitute the new
Lok Sabha by notifying in the official gazette, the names of the elected member
s.
1. What is an Electronic Voting machine? In what way its functioning is differen
t from the conventional system of voting?
Ans. An Electronic Voting Machine consists of two Units a Control Unit and a Bal
loting Unit joined by a five-meter cable. The Control Unit is with the Presiding
Officer or a Polling Officer and the Balloting Unit is placed inside the voting
compartment. Instead of issuing a ballot paper, the Polling Officer in-charge o
f the Control Unit will press the Ballot Button. This will enable the voter to c
ast his vote by pressing the blue button on the Balloting Unit against the candi
date and symbol of his choice.
Q2. When was the EVM first introduced in elections?
Ans. EVMs manufactured in 1989-90 were used on experimental basis for the first
time in 16 Assembly Constituencies in the States of Madhya Pradesh (5), Rajastha
n (5) and NCT of Delhi (6) at the General Elections to the respective Legislativ
e Assemblies held in November, 1998.
Q3. How can EVMs be used in areas where there is no electricity?
Ans. EVMs run on an ordinary 6 volt alkaline battery manufactured by Bharat Elec
tronics Ltd., Bangalore and Electronic Corporation of India Ltd., Hyderabad. The
refore, even in areas with no power connections, EVMs can be used.
Q4. What is the maximum number of votes which can be cast in EVMs?
Ans. EVMs can record a maximum of 3840 votes. As normally the total number of el
ectors in a polling station will not exceed 1500, the capacity of EVMs is more t
han sufficient.
Q5. What is the maximum number of candidates which EVMs can cater to?
Ans. EVMs can cater to a maximum of 64 candidates. There is provision for 16 can
didates in a Balloting Unit. If the total number of candidates exceeds 16, a sec
ond Balloting Unit can be linked parallel to the first Balloting Unit. Similarly
, if the total number of candidates exceeds 32, a third Balloting Unit can be at
tached and if the total number of candidates exceeds 48, a fourth Balloting Unit
can be attached to cater to a maximum of 64 candidates.
Q6. What will happen if the number of contesting candidates in a constituency go
es beyond 64?
Ans. In case the number of contesting candidates goes beyond 64 in any constitue
ncy, EVMs cannot be used in such a constituency. The conventional method of voti
ng by means of ballot box and ballot paper will have to be adopted in such a con
stituency.
Q7. What will happen if the EVM in a particular polling station goes out of orde
r?
Ans. An Officer is put on duty to cover about 10 polling stations on the day of
poll. He will be carrying spare EVMs and the out-of-order EVM can be replaced wi
th a new one. The votes recorded until the stage when the EVM went out of order
will be safe in the memory of the Control Unit and it will be sufficient to proc
eed with the polling after the EVM went out of order. It is not necessary to sta
rt the poll from the beginning.
Q8. Who has the devised the EVMs?
Ans. The EVMs have been devised and designed by Election Commission in collabora
tion with two Public Sector undertakings viz., Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bangalor
e and Electronic Corporation of India Ltd., Hyderabad after a series of meetings
, test-checking of the prototypes and extensive field trials. The EVMs are now m
anufactured by the above two undertakings.
Q9. What is the cost of the machines? Is it not too expensive to use EVMs?
Ans. The cost per EVM (One Control Unit, one Balloting Unit and one battery) was
Rs.5,500/- at the time the machines were purchased in 1989-90. Even though the
initial investment is somewhat heavy, this is more than neutralised by the savin
gs in the matter of printing of ballot papers in lakhs, their transportation, st
orage etc., and the substantial reduction in the counting staff and the remunera
tion paid to them.

Q10. In our country a sizeable section of the population being illiterate will i
t not cause problems for the illiterate voters?
Ans. In fact, voting by EVMs is simpler compared to the conventional system, whe
re one has to put the voting mark on or near the symbol of the candidate of his
choice, fold it first vertically and then horizontally and thereafter put it int
o the ballot box. In EVMs, the voter has to simply press the blue button against
the candidate and symbol of his choice and the vote is recorded. Rural and illi
terate people had no difficulty in recording their votes and, in fact they have
welcomed the use of EVMs.
Q11. Can booth capturing be prevented by the use of EVMs?
Ans. By booth-capturing, if one means, taking away or damaging of ballot boxes o
r ballot papers, this evil cannot be prevented by the use of EVMs as EVMs can al
so be forcibly taken away or damaged by miscreants. But if one looks at booth ca
pturing as a case of miscreants intimidating the polling personnel and stamping
the ballot papers on the symbol and escaping in a matter of minutes, this can be
prevented by the use of EVMs. The EVMs are programmed in such a way that the ma
chines will record only five votes in a minute. As recording of votes has necess
arily to be through Control Unit and Balloting Unit, whatever be the number of m
iscreants they can record vote only at the rate of 5 per minute. In the case of
ballot papers, the miscreants can distribute all the 1000 odd ballot papers assi
gned to a polling station, among themselves, stamp them, stuff them into the bal
lot boxes and run away before the police reinforcements reach. In half- an hour,
the miscreants can record only a maximum of 150 votes by which time, chances are
the police reinforcement would have arrived. Further, the presiding Officer or
one of the Polling Officers can always press the "close" button as soon as they
see some intruders inside the polling station. It will not be possible to record
any vote when once the close button is pressed and this will frustrate the effort
s of the booth-capturers.
Q12. Is it possible to use EVMs for simultaneous elections for Parliament and St
ate Legislative Assembly?
Ans. Yes
It is possible to use EVMs for simultaneous elections for Parliament and State L
egislative Assembly and the existing EVMs have been designed keeping this requir
ement in view.
Q13. What are the advantages in using EVMs?
Ans. The most important advantage is that the printing of millions of ballot pap
ers can be dispensed with, as only one ballot paper is required for fixing on th
e Balloting Unit at each polling station instead of one ballot paper for each in
dividual elector. This results in huge savings by way of cost of paper, printing
, transportation, storage and distribution. Secondly, counting is very quick and
the result can be declared within 2 to 3 hours as compared to 30-40 hours, on a
n average, under the conventional system. Thirdly, there are no invalid votes un
der the system of voting under EVMs. The importance of this will be better appre
ciated, if it is remembered that in every General Election, the number of invali
d votes is more than the winning margin between the winning candidate and the se
cond candidate, in a number of constituencies. To this extent, the choice of the
electorate will be more correctly reflected when EVMs are used.
Q14. Does the use of EVMs slow down the pace of poll?
Ans. No
In fact the pace of poll is quickened by the use of EVMs as it is not necessary
for the voter to first unfold the ballot paper, mark his preference, fold it aga
in, go to the place where the ballot box is kept and drop it in the box. What he
has to do under the system of EVMs is simply to press the button near the candi
date and symbol of his choice.
Q15. With ballot boxes counting is done after mixing the ballot papers. Is it po
ssible to adopt this system when EVMs are used?
Ans. The normal rule is to count the votes polling station-wise and this is what
is being done when EVM is used in each polling station. The mixing system of co
unting is done only in those constituencies specially notified by the Election C
ommission. Even in such cases, the result from each EVM can be fed into a Master
Counting Machine in which case, only the total result of an Assembly Constituen
cy will be known and not the result in each individual polling station.
Q16. How long the Control Unit stores the result in its memory?
Ans. The Control Unit can store the result in its memory for 10 years and even m
ore.

Q17. Wherever an election petition is filed, the result of the election is subje
ct to the final outcome. The courts, in appropriate cases, may order a recount o
f votes. Whether EVMs can be stored for such a long time and whether the result
can be taken in the presence of the officers authorised by Courts? Will not the
battery leak or otherwise damage EVMs?
Ans. The battery is required only to activate the EVMs at the time of polling an
d counting. As soon as the polling is over, the battery can be switched off and
this will be required to be switched on only at the time of counting. The batter
y can be removed as soon as the result is taken and can be kept separately. Ther
efore, there is no question of battery leaking or otherwise damaging EVMs. Even
when the battery is removed the memory in the microchip remains intact. If the C
ourt orders a recount, the Control Unit can be reactivated by fixing the battery
and it will display the result stored in the memory.
Q18. Is it possible to vote more than once by pressing the button again and agai
n?
Ans. No
As soon as a particular button on the Balloting Unit is pressed, the vote is rec
orded for that particular candidate and the machine gets locked. Even if one pre
sses that button further or any other button, no further vote will be recorded.
This way the EVMs ensure the principle of "one man, one vote".
Q19. How can a voter be sure that the EVM is working and his vote has been recor
ded?
Ans. As soon as the voter presses the `blue button against the candidate and symb
ol of his choice, a tiny lamp on the left side of the symbol glows red and simul
taneously a long beep sound is heard. Thus, there is both audio and visual indic
ations for the voter to be assured that his vote has been recorded.
Q20. Is it true that sometimes because of short-circuitry or other reason, a vot
er is likely to get an electric shock while pressing the `blue button ?
Ans. No
EVMs work on a 6-volt battery and there is absolutely no chance of any voter get
ting an electric shock at the time of pressing the `blue button or at any time of
handling the balloting unit.
Q21. Is it possible to program the EVMs in such a way that initially, say upto 1
00 votes, votes will be recorded exactly in the same way as the `blue buttons are
pressed, but thereafter, votes will be recorded only in favor of one particular
candidate irrespective of whether the `blue button against that candidate or any
 other candidate is pressed?
Ans. The microchip used in EVMs is sealed at the time of import. It cannot be op
ened and any rewriting of program can be done by anyone without damaging the chi
p. There is, therefore, absolutely no chance of programming the EVMs in a partic
ular way to select any particular candidate or political party.
Q22. Will it not be difficult to transport the EVMs to the polling stations?
Ans. No
Rather it will be easier to transport the EVMs compared to ballot boxes as EVMs
are lighter, portable and come with polypropylene carrying cases.

Q23. In many areas of the country, there is no electricity connection and even i
n those places where there is electricity connection, power supply is erratic. I
n this scenario will it not create problem in storing the machines without air c
onditioning?
Ans. There is no need to air condition the room/hall where EVMs are stored. What
is required is only to keep the room/hall free from dust dampness and rodents a
s in the case of ballot boxes.
Q24. In the conventional system, it will be possible to know the total number of
votes polled at any particular point of time. In EVMs Result portion is sealed an
d will be opened only at the time of counting. How can the total number of votes
polled be known on the date of poll?
Ans. In addition to the Result button, there is a total button on EVMs. By pressing
this button the total number of votes polled upto the time of pressing the butto
n will be displayed without indicating the candidate-wise tally.
Q25. The Balloting Unit has provision for 16 candidates. In a constituency, ther
e are only 10 candidates. The voter may press any of the buttons from 11 to 16.
Will these votes not be wasted?
Ans. No
The panels for candidates Nos. 11 to 16 will be masked before use. Further, reco
rding of votes for candidates 11 to 16 will also be blanked off electronically,
as the candidates switch is set on 10. Therefore, there is no question of any vot
er pressing any of the buttons for candidates 11 to 16 or the votes for these ca
ndidates being recorded in the EVMs.
Q26. Ballot boxes are engraved so as to avoid any scope for complaint of replace
ment of these boxes. Is there any system of numbering EVMs?
Ans. Yes
Each Control Unit has a unique ID Number, which is painted on each unit with a p
ermanent marker. This ID Number will be allowed to be noted by the Polling Agent
s and will also be recorded in a Register maintained for the purpose by the Retu
rning Officer. The address tag attached to the Control Unit also will indicate t
his ID Number. Therefore, there is no question of replacement of any EVM.
Q27. Is there any provision for issue of tendered ballot papers when EVMs are us
ed?
Ans. Yes
There is provision for issue of tendered ballot papers under the system of EVMs
also. But, when such a situation arises, the voter concerned will be issued an o
rdinary ballot paper. After marking the ballot paper with the arrow cross mark r
ubber stamp supplied, the tendered ballot paper will be put inside a cover speci
ally provided for the purpose, sealed and kept by the Presiding Officer.
Q28. In the conventional system, before the commencement of poll, the Presiding
Officer shows to the polling agents present that the ballot box to be used in th
e polling station is empty. Is there any such provision to satisfy the polling a
gents that there are no hidden votes already recorded in the EVMs?
Ans. Yes
Before the commencement of poll, the Presiding Officer demonstrates to the polli
ng agents present that there are no hidden votes already recorded in the machine
by pressing the result button. Thereafter, he will conduct a mock poll by askin
g the polling agents to record their votes and will take the result to satisfy t
hem that the result shown is strictly according to the choice recorded by them.
Thereafter, the Presiding Officer will press the clear button to clear the resul
t of the mock poll before commencing the actual poll.
Q29. How can one rule out the possibility of recording further votes at any time
after close of the poll and before the commencement of counting by interested p
arties?
Ans. As soon as the last voter has voted, the Polling Officer in-charge of the C
ontrol Unit will press the Close Button. Thereafter, the EVM will not accept any v
ote. Further, after the close of poll, the Balloting Unit is disconnected from t
he Control Unit and kept separately. Votes can be recorded only through the Ball
oting Unit. Again the Presiding officer, at the close of the poll, will hand ove
r to each polling agent present an account of votes recorded. At the time of cou
nting of votes, the total will be tallied with this account and if there is any
discrepancy, this will be pointed out by the Counting Agents