Definitions

Question 1

Booth capturing

Answer 1

Supporters or hired muscle-men of a party or candidate gain physical control of a polling booth and cast false votes by threatening everyone or by preventing genuine voters from reaching the polling booth.

Question 2

Code of conduct

Answer 2

A set of norms and guidelines to be followed by political parties and contesting candidates during election time.

Question 3

Constituency

Answer 3

Voters in a geographical area who elect a representative to the legislative bodies.

Question 4

Incumbent

Answer 4

The current holder of a political office. Usually the choice for the voters in elections is between the incumbent party or candidate and those who oppose them.

Question 5

Level playing field

Answer 5

Condition in which all parties and candidates contesting in an election have equal opportunities to appeal for votes and to carry out election campaign.

Question 6

Rigging

Answer 6

Fraud and malpractices indulged by a party or candidate to increase its votes. It includes stuffing ballot boxes by a few persons using the votes of others; recording multiple by the same person; and bribing or coercing polling officers to favor a candidate.

Question 7

Turnout

Answer 7

The percentage of eligible voters who cast their votes in an election.

Question 8

Coalition government

Answer 8

A government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties, usually when no single party enjoys majority support.

Question 9

Executive

Answer 9

A body of persons having authority to initiate major policies, make decisions and implement them on the basis of the Constitution and the laws of the country.

Question 10

Government

Answer 10

A set of institutions that have the power to make implement and interpret laws so as to ensure an orderly life. In its broad sense, government administers and supervises over citizens and resources of a country.

Question 11

Judiciary

Answer 11

An institution empowered to administer justice and provide a mechanism for the resolution of legal disputes. All the courts in the country are collectively referred to as judiciary.

Question 12

Legislature

Answer 12

An assembly of people’s representatives with the power to enact laws for a country. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures have the authority to raise taxes and adopt the budget and other money bills.

Question 13

Office Memorandum

Answer 13

A communication issued by an appropriate authority stating the policy or decision of the government.

Question 14

Political Institution

Answer 14

A set of procedures for regulating the conduct of government and political life in the country.

Question 15

Reservations

Answer 15

A policy that declares some positions in government employment and educational institutions ‘reserved’ for people and communities who have been discriminated against, are disadvantaged and backward.

Question 16

State

Answer 16

Political association occupying a definite territory, having an organized government and possessing power to make domestic and foreign policies.Governments may change, but the state continues.