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Election Commission and Electoral Reforms Class 11

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Political ScienceCBSE Class 11 · Election and Representation

Reservation, Franchise, the Election Commission and Electoral Reforms (Class 11 Political Science, Chapter 3)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

India rejected separate electorates and instead adopted reserved constituencies for SCs and STs, in which all voters vote but candidates belong to the reserved group. Every adult citizen of 18 or above votes; the independent Election Commission (Article 324) conducts elections, with a CEC who can be removed only by a special majority; reforms proposed include PR, money control and barring candidates with criminal cases.

Under separate electorates voters were divided by community; reserved constituencies let everyone vote, but only SC or ST candidates can stand.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Reserved Constituencies, Universal Franchise, the Election Commission and Electoral Reforms

Why this topic matters. Reasons for reserved constituencies, the functions and independence of the Election Commission and the list of reforms are standard 3-5 mark questions.

1. Reservation of constituencies. Under FPTP, dominant groups could win everywhere and leave historically oppressed groups unrepresented. The British had introduced separate electorates (only voters of a community voted for its representative), which many Assembly members rejected (Tajamul Husain called them a curse to India). The Assembly adopted reserved constituencies: all voters in the constituency vote, but candidates must belong to the community for which the seat is reserved. Seats are reserved in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population share, initially for 10 years and extended up to 2030. Of the 543 Lok Sabha seats, 84 are for SCs and 47 for STs (as on 26 January 2019). Jaipal Singh noted that under the 1935 Act there were only 24 Adivasi MLAs out of 1,585.

2. Delimitation Commission. Appointed by the President with the Election Commission, it draws constituency boundaries, fixes each State's quota of reserved seats by SC/ST proportion and reserves constituencies; reserved constituencies can rotate. For women, one-third reservation in rural and urban local bodies exists, and for the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Act, 2023).

3. Franchise and contest. All adult citizens may vote; till 1989 an adult meant a citizen above 21, and a 1989 amendment lowered the voting age to 18. Anyone may contest, with a minimum age of 25 for the Lok Sabha or an Assembly; a person imprisoned for two or more years is disqualified; there are no restrictions of income, education, class or gender.

4. Election Commission. Article 324 provides for an independent Election Commission for the superintendence, direction and control of electoral rolls and elections to Parliament, State legislatures and the offices of President and Vice President. Local body elections are conducted by State Election Commissioners. It has been multi-member since 1993; the CEC presides but has no more power than the other Commissioners, who decide collectively. The President appoints the CEC and Election Commissioners on the recommendation of a selection committee (the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition and a Union Cabinet minister) under the 2023 Act, following the Anoop Baranwal judgment (2023); the older position was appointment on the Council of Ministers' advice, which was criticised as giving the government control. The term is six years or until age 65. The CEC can be removed only by the President if both Houses recommend it by a special majority; Election Commissioners can be removed only on the CEC's recommendation (Article 324(5)).

5. Functions. Prepares an up-to-date voters' list; decides the schedule; ensures a free and fair poll (can postpone or cancel, enforces the model code of conduct, orders re-polls and recounts); recognises parties and allots symbols; during elections has full control over officers on duty. It postponed polling in 1991 after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination and the Gujarat Assembly elections in 2002 after violence, upheld by the Supreme Court.

6. Electoral reforms. Proposals include some form of PR, one-third women in legislatures, stricter control of money in elections, barring candidates with criminal cases, a ban on caste and religious appeals and a law for transparent party functioning. There is no consensus and laws have limits: vigilant citizens and watchdog institutions are also needed.

Reserved Constituencies, Universal Franchise, the Election Commission and Electoral Reforms: key facts

Reserved constituencies
  • All voters vote
  • Candidate belongs to reserved group
  • Lok Sabha: 84 SC, 47 ST of 543
  • Extended up to 2030
Not separate electorates.
Franchise
  • Voting age 18 (from 1989)
  • Contest: age 25 for Lok Sabha or Assembly
  • Disqualified if imprisoned two years or more
No income or education bar.
Election Commission
  • Article 324
  • Multi-member since 1993
  • Term six years or age 65
  • CEC removal by special majority of both Houses
Independent body.
Reforms
  • PR
  • One-third women
  • Money control
  • Bar criminal candidates
  • Ban caste and religious appeals
  • Transparent parties
Proposals.

How to answer Reserved Constituencies, Universal Franchise, the Election Commission and Electoral Reforms questions

Election Commission answers use composition, independence, functions.

  1. 1State Article 324 and the multi-member form.
  2. 2Explain independence: CEC removal needs a special majority.
  3. 3List 4 functions with an example (model code, re-poll).
  4. 4Add a record of assertiveness (1991, 2002).

Reserved Constituencies, Universal Franchise, the Election Commission and Electoral Reforms in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Reserved seat vote

Suppose a seat in a district is reserved for Scheduled Castes and a voter from any caste votes in it.

Who can contest and who can vote?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. All voters in the constituency vote.
  2. Only candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes can contest.

Answer: All voters vote; candidates must belong to the reserved group.

Memory hook: Everyone votes, group contests.

Stopping a poll

Suppose violence breaks out on the day before an election and the Commission postpones polling.

Which power of the Election Commission is used?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It can postpone or cancel polls where the atmosphere is vitiated.
  2. This is part of ensuring a free and fair poll.

Answer: Its power to postpone or cancel the poll.

Memory hook: Free and fair first.

Tricks to remember Reserved Constituencies, Universal Franchise, the Election Commission and Electoral Reforms

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • Vote for all, contest for group

    Reserved constituency rule

    Use it when: Reservation.

  • 18, 25, 2 years

    Voting age, contest age, disqualification

    Use it when: Numbers.

  • 324

    Election Commission article

    Use it when: Provision.

Reserved Constituencies, Universal Franchise, the Election Commission and Electoral Reforms: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Voting age · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The voting age in India was lowered from 21 to 18 in:
(A) 1950
(B) 1971
(C) 1989
(D) 2005

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A 1989 amendment lowered it to 18 (1 mark).

Answer: (C)

Example 2: Reserved constituency · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

What is a reserved constituency and how does it differ from a separate electorate? (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Reserved: all voters vote but candidates belong to the reserved community (1 mark).
  2. Separate electorate: only voters of that community vote for its representative (1 mark).

Answer: In a reserved constituency all voters vote but candidates must belong to the community for which the seat is reserved. In a separate electorate only voters of the community vote for its representative.

Example 3: CEC independence · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

How is the independence of the Chief Election Commissioner protected? (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Fixed term of six years or until age 65 (1 mark).
  2. Removable by the President only if both Houses recommend by a special majority (1 mark).
  3. So a ruling party cannot easily remove an unhelpful CEC; Election Commissioners can be removed only on the CEC's recommendation (1 mark).

Answer: The CEC has a fixed term of six years or until age 65, whichever is earlier. He can be removed before this only by the President if both Houses recommend it by a special majority (two-thirds of those present and voting and a majority of the total membership), so a ruling party cannot simply remove an unhelpful CEC. Election Commissioners can be removed only on the CEC's recommendation.

Example 4: Assertion and reason: separate electorates · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): The Constituent Assembly rejected separate electorates.
Reason (R): Many members believed they would not suit India and would harm unity.
(A) Both true, R explains A
(B) Both true, R does not explain A
(C) A true, R false
(D) A false, R true

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The chapter quotes members who called them harmful, such as Tajamul Husain (1 mark).

Answer: (A)

Example 5: HOTS: seats and reservation · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Of 543 Lok Sabha seats, 84 are reserved for SCs and 47 for STs. Find the total and the percentage reserved, explain the way the Delimitation Commission fixes and rotates reserved seats, and say why reservation by constituency rather than separate electorates was chosen. (5 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. 84 + 47 = 131 seats (1 mark).
  2. 131 / 543 x 100 = 24.1 per cent (1 mark).
  3. Delimitation Commission fixes each State's quota by SC/ST proportion, reserves constituencies with the highest ST share and spreads SC seats (1 mark).
  4. Reserved constituencies can rotate with each delimitation (1 mark).
  5. Reservation lets all voters take part and keeps representatives answerable to the whole constituency, avoiding the division of separate electorates (1 mark).

Answer: The total reserved is 84 + 47 = 131 seats, which is 131 / 543 x 100 = about 24.1 per cent. The Delimitation Commission fixes each State's quota of reserved seats by its SC and ST proportions and reserves constituencies, and reserved constituencies can rotate after each delimitation. Reserved constituencies were chosen because all voters vote and representatives from the reserved group are elected by everyone, whereas separate electorates would divide voters by community.

Where students lose marks in Reserved Constituencies, Universal Franchise, the Election Commission and Electoral Reforms

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Saying only SC voters vote in a reserved seat

    Confusing with separate electorates.

    Wrong working

    Only SC voters vote there.

    Right working

    All voters vote; only SC candidates contest.

    Do this: Vote for all.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Writing voting age as 21

    Old rule.

    Wrong working

    Voting age is 21.

    Right working

    18 since 1989.

    Do this: Link 1989 with 18.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Saying the Commission conducts panchayat polls

    Local bodies forgotten.

    Wrong working

    The Election Commission runs all elections.

    Right working

    It conducts Parliament, State and President elections; State Election Commissioners run local body polls.

    Do this: Add the exception.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Quote Article 324 for the Election Commission.
  • Use the contrast reserved constituency versus separate electorate.
  • Give both sides on reforms, noting no consensus.

Practice questions on Reserved Constituencies, Universal Franchise, the Election Commission and Electoral Reforms

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    The Election Commission is provided for in Article:
    (A) 14
    (B) 21
    (C) 324
    (D) 356

    Hint

    Superintendence, direction and control.

    Answer

    (C)

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    State two functions of the Election Commission. (2 marks)

    Hint

    Roll, schedule.

    Answer

    It supervises an up-to-date voters' list and decides the schedule of elections; it also enforces the model code of conduct, can order re-polls and recounts and recognises parties and allots symbols.

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Why did the framers adopt universal adult franchise from the start? (3 marks)

    Hint

    Equality.

    Answer

    The framers believed in the equal worth of all adult citizens in deciding what is good for society. Voting rights were not made to depend on education, income or gender, reflecting equality and non-discrimination; in many countries women won this right only after long struggle.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Which reforms address money and crime in elections, and why is there no agreement on reform? (3 marks)

    Hint

    PR, money, criminals.

    Answer

    Stricter control of money in elections (with election expenses paid from a special fund) and barring candidates with criminal cases even when an appeal is pending address these concerns. There is no consensus, and laws have limits: free elections also need the spirit of democratic competition, vigilant citizens and watchdog institutions.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    A student suggests the Election Commission should be a single-member body under the government. Using the chapter, evaluate the proposal with reference to composition, appointment, removal and the record of the Commission. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Multi-member, independent.

    Answer

    A single-member body shares no power and gives less accountability; since 1993 a multi-member Commission decides collectively with the CEC having no more power. Under the older practice, appointment on the Council of Ministers' advice was criticised as giving the government control; the 2023 Act now has the President appoint on the recommendation of a selection committee (PM, Leader of Opposition, a Union Cabinet minister), and removal of the CEC needs a special majority of both Houses to protect independence. Its record of assertive action, such as postponing polls in 1991 and 2002, shows the value of independence from government.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.How many SC reserved Lok Sabha seats?Show answer

    84.

  2. 2.Who draws constituency boundaries?Show answer

    The Delimitation Commission.

  3. 3.When was the Women's Reservation Act passed?Show answer

    2023.

  4. 4.Who conducts local body polls?Show answer

    State Election Commissioners.

Reserved Constituencies, Universal Franchise, the Election Commission and Electoral Reforms: frequently asked questions

Who appoints the CEC?

The President, on the recommendation of a selection committee (Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and a Union Cabinet minister) under the 2023 Act. Earlier it was on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

What is the model code of conduct?

Rules for parties and candidates enforced during elections by the Commission.

What is a special majority?

Two-thirds of those present and voting and a majority of total membership.