Practice paper — Constitution Part XV — Elections
30 questions · answer key at the end · no time limit
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1.Under Article 324(1), the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament, State Legislatures and to the offices of President and Vice-President is vested in:
- (A) Parliament
- (B) The Ministry of Law and Justice
- (C) The Election Commission
- (D) The Supreme Court of India
2.Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners under Article 324(2)?
- (A) The President, subject to the provisions of any law made by Parliament
- (B) The Prime Minister on the advice of the Cabinet
- (C) The Chief Justice of India
- (D) Parliament, by a resolution of both Houses
3.Under Article 324(4), Regional Commissioners to assist the Election Commission may be appointed by the President:
- (A) Only on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner
- (B) With the concurrence of the Governors of the States concerned
- (C) Only for biennial elections to the Council of States
- (D) After consultation with the Election Commission, before each general election to the House of the People and to State Legislative Assemblies, and before elections to Legislative Councils
4.Under Article 324(6), when the Election Commission so requests, the staff necessary for the discharge of its functions under clause (1) shall be made available by:
- (A) Parliament alone, through an appropriation
- (B) The President, or the Governor of a State
- (C) The Chief Justice of the concerned High Court
- (D) The Union Public Service Commission
5.Which statement correctly reflects the removal protections in the provisos to Article 324(5)?
- (A) Both the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners can be removed only in the manner of a Supreme Court Judge
- (B) The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court, while other Election Commissioners and Regional Commissioners cannot be removed except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner
- (C) Other Election Commissioners hold office during the pleasure of the President without any condition
- (D) The Chief Election Commissioner may be removed on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers
6.According to Article 325 of the Constitution of India, how many general electoral rolls are to be maintained for every territorial constituency?
- (A) One general electoral roll
- (B) Two general electoral rolls
- (C) As many as required by the Election Commission
- (D) No general electoral roll is required
7.Under Article 325, can a person be made ineligible for inclusion in a general electoral roll solely on the ground of religion?
- (A) Yes, religion can be the sole ground for ineligibility
- (B) No, a person shall not be ineligible on the ground only of religion
- (C) Yes, but only for State Legislature elections
- (D) Yes, but only if a law specifically provides for it
8.Can a person claim to be included in a special electoral roll for a constituency on the sole ground of sex under Article 325?
- (A) Yes, anyone can claim inclusion on the ground of sex
- (B) Only if authorized by the State Legislature
- (C) No, not when the claim is based only on sex
- (D) Only for elections to the House of Parliament
9.Is it permissible under Article 325 to maintain more than one general electoral roll for a given territorial constituency?
- (A) Yes, for different types of elections
- (B) Yes, if approved by the Election Commission
- (C) Yes, for reserved and unreserved categories separately
- (D) No, there shall be one general electoral roll for every territorial constituency
10.Article 325 prohibits ineligibility for inclusion in an electoral roll "on grounds only of caste." If a law disqualifies persons on the combined grounds of caste and age together, does Article 325, on its face, prohibit that disqualification?
- (A) Yes, any use of caste as a ground is prohibited regardless of other grounds
- (B) No, the prohibition applies only when caste (or the listed grounds) is the sole ground
- (C) Yes, but only for elections to State Legislatures
- (D) No, Article 325 prohibits only caste combined with religion
11.On what basis does Article 326 provide that elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States shall be held?
- (A) Adult suffrage
- (B) Property qualification
- (C) Caste-based representation
- (D) Literacy test
12.According to Article 326, what is the minimum age a person must have attained to be entitled to be registered as a voter (subject to the date fixed by law)?
- (A) Sixteen years
- (B) Eighteen years
- (C) Twenty-one years
- (D) Twenty-five years
13.A non-citizen resident of India is over eighteen years of age. Under Article 326, is that person entitled to be registered as a voter?
- (A) Yes, if they are resident they are entitled to registration
- (B) No, only citizens are entitled to be registered
- (C) Yes, if they have lived in the constituency for more than six months
- (D) Only if appropriate Legislature specifically includes non-citizens
14.Who may fix the date for determining whether a person has attained the age required for voter registration under Article 326?
- (A) The President of India
- (B) The Election Commission of India
- (C) The appropriate Legislature by law
- (D) The Chief Election Commissioner
15.Which of the following best describes the entitlement created by Article 326 regarding voter registration?
- (A) It guarantees the right to vote irrespective of any disqualifications
- (B) It entitles eligible citizens (age and citizenship) to be registered but allows disqualification under the Constitution or law
- (C) It guarantees registration only for citizens above twenty-one years
- (D) It makes registration mandatory for all citizens
16.Under Article 327 of the Constitution, who may from time to time by law make provision with respect to matters relating to elections to Parliament or State Legislatures?
- (A) The President of India
- (B) Parliament
- (C) State Legislatures
- (D) The Election Commission
17.Does Article 327 apply to elections to the Legislature of a State?
- (A) It applies only to elections to Parliament
- (B) It applies only to local body elections
- (C) It applies to elections to either House of Parliament and to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State
- (D) It applies only to civic and municipal elections
18.Which of the following matters is explicitly mentioned in Article 327 as within Parliament's power to make provision for?
- (A) Both the preparation of electoral rolls and the delimitation of constituencies
- (B) Only the preparation of electoral rolls
- (C) Only the delimitation of constituencies
- (D) Neither electoral rolls nor delimitation
19.Which limitation is placed on Parliament's power under Article 327?
- (A) Parliament's power is absolute and unlimited
- (B) Parliament's power is subject only to the President's directions
- (C) Parliament's power is subject only to State legislation
- (D) Parliament's power is 'subject to the provisions of this Constitution'
20.Does Article 327 permit Parliament to make provision for elections to local bodies such as municipalities or panchayats?
- (A) Yes, because it includes 'all other matters necessary for securing the due constitution' which covers local bodies
- (B) Yes, but only if State Legislatures consent
- (C) No, it is limited to elections to either House of Parliament and to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State
- (D) The provision is ambiguous and does not indicate either way
21.What power does Article 328 of the Constitution of India confer on the Legislature of a State?
- (A) To make laws from time to time with respect to all matters relating to elections to the State Legislature
- (B) To frame the Constitution of the State
- (C) To adjudicate disputes regarding elections to the State Legislature
- (D) To make laws for elections to the Parliament
22.Which of the following matters is explicitly mentioned in Article 328 as within the State Legislature's power to make provision for?
- (A) Appointment of the State Election Commission
- (B) Preparation of electoral rolls
- (C) Allocation of seats in Parliament
- (D) Removal of the Governor
23.Under what condition may the Legislature of a State make laws with respect to elections to the State Legislature according to Article 328?
- (A) Only when the President gives prior approval
- (B) Only if the law is certified by the Supreme Court
- (C) Subject to the Constitution and in so far as provision in that behalf is not made by Parliament
- (D) Only during a proclamation of emergency
24.Can the State Legislature, under Article 328, make provision with respect to elections to the Lok Sabha (House of the People)?
- (A) Yes, because elections are a State matter
- (B) Yes, but only with Parliament's concurrence
- (C) Only if Parliament delegates the power to the State
- (D) No, Article 328 deals only with elections to the State Legislature
25.If Parliament has already made a law governing preparation of electoral rolls for State Legislature elections, which statement best reflects Article 328's rule?
- (A) The State law will prevail if enacted later
- (B) Parliament's provision will be applicable and the State may not make provision in that behalf
- (C) Both Parliament and State laws operate concurrently regardless of conflict
- (D) The matter must be referred to the President to decide which law applies
26.Which of the following does Article 329(1)(a) of the Constitution of India prohibit courts from questioning?
- (A) The validity of any law relating to the delimitation of constituencies or the allotment of seats made or purporting to be made under article 327 or 328.
- (B) The result of any election to either House of Parliament.
- (C) The validity of laws affecting fundamental rights.
- (D) The conduct of individual candidates during election campaigns.
27.Under Article 329(1)(b), how may an election to either House of Parliament or to a State Legislature be called in question?
- (A) By filing a petition in any civil court.
- (B) By an election petition presented to such authority and in such manner as may be provided for by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature.
- (C) By an appeal to the Election Commission of India.
- (D) By seeking an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court.
28.If a statute is described as "purporting to be made" under Article 327, can its validity be challenged in a court in light of Article 329(1)(a)?
- (A) Yes, because "purporting to be made" leaves scope for judicial review.
- (B) No, whether "made" or "purporting to be made," its validity "shall not be called in question in any court."
- (C) Only if the appropriate Legislature enacts a law allowing such challenge.
- (D) Only through an election petition under Article 329(1)(b).
29.Which of the following best describes the scope of Article 329(1)(b)'s limitation on judicial interference in election disputes?
- (A) It permits challenges to elections only by an election petition in the manner and to the authority provided by law made by the appropriate Legislature.
- (B) It allows any court to entertain election disputes alongside ordinary civil suits.
- (C) It requires that all election disputes be heard only by the Supreme Court.
- (D) It absolutely prohibits any challenge to any election by any procedure, including election petitions.
30.Which statement correctly captures the difference between clauses (a) and (b) of Article 329(1)?
- (A) Clause (a) bars judicial questioning of the validity of laws concerning delimitation or seat allotment; Clause (b) bars questioning of actual elections except through election petitions as prescribed by law.
- (B) Clause (a) bars only laws made under Article 327 while Clause (b) permits courts to hear election petitions directly in any manner.
- (C) Clause (a) applies only to Parliamentary constituencies while Clause (b) applies only to State Legislature elections.
- (D) Clause (a) allows courts to examine delimitation laws if an election petition is filed while Clause (b) prevents any challenge to delimitation.
Answer key
Explanations
- 1. (C) Article 324(1) vests the superintendence, direction and control of electoral rolls and the conduct of these elections in a Commission referred to in the Constitution as the Election Commission. It covers elections to Parliament, the Legislature of every State, and the offices of President and Vice-President.
- 2. (A) Article 324(2) provides that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf by Parliament, be made by the President. The President also fixes the number of other Election Commissioners from time to time.
- 3. (D) Article 324(4) empowers the President to appoint, after consultation with the Election Commission, such Regional Commissioners as he considers necessary. This may be done before each general election to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assembly of each State, and before the first general election and each biennial election to a State Legislative Council.
- 4. (B) Article 324(6) obliges the President, or the Governor of a State, when so requested by the Election Commission, to make available to the Commission or to a Regional Commissioner such staff as may be necessary. The obligation is triggered by a request from the Election Commission itself.
- 5. (B) The first proviso to Article 324(5) protects only the Chief Election Commissioner with the Supreme Court Judge standard of removal and bars variation of his conditions of service to his disadvantage after appointment. The second proviso gives other Election Commissioners and Regional Commissioners a different, lesser protection: removal only on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
- 6. (A) The provision states, "There shall be one general electoral roll for every territorial constituency for election to either House of Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State." This expressly mandates a single general electoral roll for each territorial constituency.
- 7. (B) Article 325 provides that "no person shall be ineligible for inclusion in any such roll... on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them." Thus a sole ground of religion cannot render a person ineligible for the roll.
- 8. (C) The article states that "no person shall... claim to be included in any special electoral roll for any such constituency on grounds only of ... sex." Therefore a claim based solely on sex is not permitted under this provision.
- 9. (D) Article 325 begins by declaring, "There shall be one general electoral roll for every territorial constituency ..." which plainly excludes maintaining more than one general electoral roll for the same territorial constituency.
- 10. (B) The provision prohibits ineligibility "on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or any of them." The phrase "only" indicates the bar applies when those are the sole grounds; it does not, on its face, prohibit disqualifications where those grounds are combined with other separate grounds.
- 11. (A) Article 326 states that elections shall be on the basis of adult suffrage. The provision explicitly uses the phrase 'on the basis of adult suffrage,' excluding property, caste or literacy as the basis.
- 12. (B) The Article specifies 'who is not less than [eighteen years] of age on such date as may be fixed...' so the minimum age mentioned is eighteen years, subject to the date fixed by law.
- 13. (B) Article 326 requires 'every person who is a citizen of India' to be entitled to registration; it therefore limits entitlement to citizens. The text does not provide entitlement for non-citizens.
- 14. (C) Article 326 states the age is measured 'on such date as may be fixed in that behalf by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature,' indicating the date is to be fixed by the appropriate Legislature through law.
- 15. (B) Article 326 states citizens of the requisite age 'shall be entitled to be registered as a voter' but qualifies this by saying those 'not otherwise disqualified under this Constitution or any law ... on the ground of non-residence, unsoundness of mind, crime or corrupt or illegal practice' may be excluded. Thus entitlement is subject to such disqualifications.
- 16. (B) The provision begins: 'Parliament may from time to time by law make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, elections...' which directly names Parliament as the law-making authority for such provisions.
- 17. (C) Article 327 states Parliament may make provision for elections 'to either House of Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State,' so it explicitly covers State Legislature elections as well as Parliamentary ones.
- 18. (A) The text expressly includes 'the preparation of electoral rolls, the delimitation of constituencies' as matters Parliament may provide for, so both are explicitly covered.
- 19. (D) Article 327 begins with 'Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may...' indicating that Parliament's power to make provisions about elections is limited by and must conform to other provisions of the Constitution.
- 20. (C) Article 327 specifically confines Parliament's power to elections 'to either House of Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State.' It does not mention local bodies, so it cannot be read as authorising provision for municipal or panchayat elections from this text alone.
- 21. (A) Article 328 states that the Legislature of a State may from time to time by law make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, the elections to the House or either House of the Legislature of the State. It thus empowers state legislatures to legislate on matters relating to their own elections.
- 22. (B) The provision expressly includes 'the preparation of electoral rolls and all other matters necessary for securing the due constitution of such House or Houses.' Therefore preparation of electoral rolls is specifically mentioned.
- 23. (C) Article 328 begins with 'Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and in so far as provision in that behalf is not made by Parliament,' indicating state legislative power is conditional on conformity with the Constitution and that Parliament has not already made provision on the matter.
- 24. (D) Article 328 refers specifically to 'elections to the House or either House of the Legislature of the State,' so its scope is limited to the State Legislature and does not extend to elections to Parliament.
- 25. (B) Article 328 permits State legislation 'in so far as provision in that behalf is not made by Parliament,' which means if Parliament has made provision, the State may not make provision on that subject; parliamentary provision thus governs.
- 26. (A) Article 329(1)(a) states that "the validity of any law relating to the delimitation of constituencies or the allotment of seats... shall not be called in question in any court." Thus courts are barred from questioning such validity.
- 27. (B) Article 329(1)(b) provides that no election shall be called in question except by an election petition presented to the authority and in the manner provided by or under law made by the appropriate Legislature. It does not permit ordinary civil suits or other forums.
- 28. (B) Article 329(1)(a) expressly bars questioning in any court the validity of any law "made or purporting to be made" under articles 327 or 328. The phrase therefore prevents court challenges even where the statute only purports to be made under those articles.
- 29. (A) Article 329(1)(b) states that no election shall be called in question except by an election petition presented to such authority and in such manner as provided by law made by the appropriate Legislature. It therefore channels challenges into the statutory election-petition procedure.
- 30. (A) Clause (a) states that the validity of laws relating to delimitation or seat allotment "shall not be called in question in any court." Clause (b) states elections "shall not be called in question except by an election petition... in such manner as may be provided for by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature." These describe distinct bars: one on laws, the other on modes of challenging elections.