UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Flawed by design, exclusionary in impact

Q1. With reference to the power to re-do electoral rolls through a special revision, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Election Commission may direct a special revision for a whole constituency or only for a part of it, at any time, for reasons to be recorded.
  2. Once a special revision is directed, the electoral roll already in force continues to remain in force until the special revision is completed.
  3. The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for elections to Parliament and State Legislatures is vested in the Election Commission by the Constitution itself, not merely by statute.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q2. With reference to the constitutional provisions on who may be enrolled as a voter for Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A law made by the appropriate Legislature may disqualify a citizen from being registered as a voter on the ground of non-residence.
  2. No person can be held ineligible for inclusion in the general electoral roll of a territorial constituency on grounds only of religion, race, caste or sex.
  3. A citizen may claim inclusion in a special electoral roll of a territorial constituency maintained for members of his or her religious community.
  4. Parliament may prescribe a minimum educational qualification as a condition for registration as a voter.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q3. With reference to the correction of entries in an electoral roll by an Electoral Registration Officer under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Where the officer is satisfied after inquiry that an entry is erroneous or defective, the person concerned must be given a reasonable opportunity of being heard on the action proposed.
  2. Deletion of entries may continue after the last date for making nominations for an election in that constituency, until the day before polling.
  3. The requirement of a hearing applies only where the officer proposes to delete an entry, and not where an entry is to be amended or transposed.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q4. With reference to the changes made to the Representation of the People Act, 1950 by the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, 2021, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. An Electoral Registration Officer may require an existing or prospective elector to furnish the Aadhaar number for the purpose of establishing identity.
  2. An existing entry in the roll may be deleted if the elector fails to furnish the Aadhaar number, even where the failure is due to sufficient cause.
  3. An individual unable to furnish the Aadhaar number for sufficient cause may be allowed to furnish alternate documents.
  4. A person who turns eighteen after 1 January of a year can be enrolled with reference to a qualifying date falling later in that same year.
  • A. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q5. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 as amended in 2021, an elector's name cannot be deleted from the roll merely because the elector is unable, for sufficient cause, to furnish an Aadhaar number.
  2. The Aadhaar number is sought from electors under the 2021 amendment as proof of Indian citizenship.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q6. With reference to the constitutional bar on interference by courts in electoral matters under Article 329, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The validity of a law relating to the delimitation of constituencies, made under the relevant constitutional provisions, cannot be called in question in any court.
  2. An election to the Legislative Assembly of a State can be called in question only by an election petition presented in the manner provided by law.
  3. The validity of a law relating to the preparation of electoral rolls cannot be called in question in any court.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q7. The independence of the Election Commission, which has superintendence over the preparation of electoral rolls, rests partly on constitutional protection of tenure. Which one of the following correctly describes that protection as provided in Article 324?

  • A. The Chief and other Commissioners are removable only in like manner as a Supreme Court Judge.
  • B. The Chief is removable on the advice of the Prime Minister; others like a Supreme Court Judge.
  • C. The Chief is removable like a Supreme Court Judge; others only on the Chief's recommendation.
  • D. The Chief and other Commissioners are removable on recommendation of the selection committee.