Elections are a central feature of democracy. For elections to express the will of the electorate, they must be ‘free and fair’.

‘Free’ means that all those entitled to vote have the right to be registered and to vote and must be free to make their choice. In South Africa every citizen over the age of 18 is entitled to vote. An election is considered ‘free’ when you can decide whether or not to vote and vote freely for the candidate or party of your choice without fear or intimidation. A ‘free’ election is also one where you are confident that who you vote for remains your secret.

‘Fair’ means that all registered political parties have an equal right to contest the elections, campaign for voter support and hold meetings and rallies. This gives them a fair chance to convince voters to vote for them. A fair election is also one in which all voters have an equal opportunity to register, where all votes are counted, and where the announced results reflect the actual vote totals.

The parliamentary form of government is derived from the constitution of Britain

There are six fundamental rights of Indian Constitution along with the constitutional articles related to them are mentioned below:

1. Right to Equality (Article 14-18)
2. Right to Freedom (Article 19-22)
3. Right against Exploitation (Article 23-24)
4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25-28)
5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Article 29-30)
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)

• B. R. Ambedkar, Chairman of Drafting Committee, and first Law and Justice Minister of India.
• B. N. Rau, Constitutional Advisor.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Some of the important members of the Constituent Assembly were

1. Jawaharlal Nehru
2. Dr Rajendra Prasad
3. Dr S. Radhakrishnan
4. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
5. Maulana Azad
6. Sarojini Naidu
7. Dr B.R. Ambedkar
8. Syama Prasad Mukherjee

Preventive Detention:
Ans. A person can be arrested out of fear that he/ she can engage in unlawful activity and be danger to the law and order of the country. It can be extended for three months only.

It means detention of a person without trial. It does not intend to punish a person for committing a crime but to prevent him from doing so. Thus it isnt a punitive measure bit a precautionary measure. They are detained for at least 3 months without the police telling them why they have been arrested. The time period of their detention can only be increased by an advisory board

Democracy governance was there in Nepal before democracy.

On December 11, 1946, the Assembly elected Dr Rajendra Prasad as its permanent Chairman. The Constituent Assembly set up 13 committees for framing the constitution including a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

 Constitution is necessary because of the following reasons:

• It is an important law of the land. It determines the relationship of the citizens with the governments.
• It lays down principles and guidelines which are required for people belonging to different ethnic and religious groups to live in harmony.
• It specifies on how the Government would be elected and who will have the power and the responsibility to take important decisions.
• It outlines the limits on the power of the Government and tells us about the rights of the citizens.
• It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.

• B. R. Ambedkar, Chairman of Drafting Committee, and first Law and Justice Minister of India.
• B. N. Rau, Constitutional Advisor.
• Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of India.
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Some of the important members of the Constituent Assembly were

1. Jawaharlal Nehru
2. Dr Rajendra Prasad
3. Dr S. Radhakrishnan
4. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
5. Maulana Azad
6. Sarojini Naidu
7. Dr B.R. Ambedkar
8. Syama Prasad Mukherjee

The Forty Fourth Constitutional Amendment, 1978, deleted Articles 19(1)(f) and 31 from Part III, the chapter on Fundamental Rights in the Constitution. Instead, it inserted Article 300A in a new chapter IV of Part XII of the Constitution, thereby depriving the 'right to property' of its 'fundamental right' status.

UK

No Confidence Motion also called as Motion of No Confidence, a Vote of No Confidence is a formal proposal in Lok Sabha to evoke a decision of the house. No Confidence Motion can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. 
The “No Confidence Motion” is an important tool against the Council of Ministers (COM) in the Lok Sabha. If 51% of the members of the house vote in favour of the “No Confidence Motion”, it is passed and the Government is deemed to have lost majority and has to resign from office. The Government has to prove its majority in the house either by bringing in a vote of confidence or the opposition can ask the Government to prove its majority after it brings a “No Confidence Motion” .
At times, the opposition also brings the “No Confidence Motion” to force the Government to discuss important issues.

The functioning of Indian electoral system has experienced a number of disadvantages and atrocities. The inconsistency between the votes registered for a party and the seats conquered in parliament, the multitude of political parties, personality cult in party system, utilization of caste and communal allegiances, part of muscle and money power, wrongful utilization of governmental machinery, corruptive exercises like booth-conquering, intimidation and impersonation of voters are essential negative features of Indian electoral system.

Legislature is an organ of government to frame laws for the nation alongwith the expression of people’s will, in which all the sections of society participate.

The Parliament consists of two houses i.e. Lol Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha is the lower house with a maximum strength of 552 members, out of which 530 members represent the State, 20 members represent the Union Territories and 2 members from the Anglo-Indian community. 

The important functions of the Lok Sabha are:

1) Legislative Function: The primary function of Parliament is a law making function. Lok Sabha plays an important part. It can pass bills concerning to all those subject which have been included in Union and Concurrent list. No bill can become law unless it has been passed by Lok Sabha. In case of any disagreement between the two Houses, the will of Lok Sabha will prevail in joint sitting with the Rajya Sabha because Lok Sabha has more members than Rajya Sabha.

2) Financial Power: The power of control over the finances by the Lok Sabha is powerful. The money bill has to be introduced in the Lok Sabha first, and when passed by the Lok Sabha it is to be transmitted to Rajya Sabha for the recommendation. It is upon the Lok Sabha to accept or not to accepts the recommendations. The Lok Sabah alone has the exclusive power of sanctioning all government expenditures.

3) Executive Control: The Constitution provides that ' Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.' Thus, the Government is accountable to the Lok Sabha for its acts. It is only the Lok Sabha which can pass a no-confidence vote against the Council of Ministers and force them to resign. 

4) Electoral Function: The Lok Sabha members are part of the electoral college for the election of President. The members of Lok Sabha also elect the Vice-President. It elects the Speaker and Deputy Speaker. 

There are more other functions of the Lok Sabha like redressal of grievances, judicial functions and miscellaneous functions.

 Appellate Jurisdiction: The appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court are of three types: Constitutional, Criminal and Civil.

(a) Constitutional Appeals: A constitutional appeal means an appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of a High Court for interpretation of the constitution in any case. Such an appeal can be brought to Supreme Court if the High Court certifies that interpretation of the constitution is required in that case or secondary if the Supreme Court grant a special leave of appeal.

(b) Appeal in Civil Cases: As regards the appeals in civil cases, the 30th amendment, 1972 has brought about significant changes. Prior to the 30th amendment appeal to the Supreme Court in civil proceedings against a judgement, decree or final order of a High Court required that the amount or value of subject-matter of the dispute was not less than Rs. 20,000. The 30th amendment sought to do away with the monetary limits for invoking the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

(c) Criminal Appeals: The following criminal cases can be brought to Supreme Court as appeal.

(i) If a criminal is acquitted by a lower court and he is sentenced to death by High Court.

(ii) If a High Court awards death sentence in case which it had taken from a lower court undecided.

(iii) If the High Court certifies that the case is a fit to be taken to the Supreme Court as an appeal.

The Ministry of Law and Justice in the Government of India is a cabinet ministry which deals with the management of the legal affairs, legislative activities and administration of justice in India through its three departments namely the Legislative Department and the Department of Legal Affairs and the Department of Justice respectively

The administration of justice is the process by which the legal system of a government is executed. The presumed goal of such an administration is to provide justice for all those accessing the legal system. First, the fair administration of justice is important for the rule of law in that it ensures state practice and policies protect against the 'infringement of the fundamental human rights to life, liberty, personal security and physical integrity of the person.

Political rights: Political rights are supplemented by several types of civil liberties, i.e. right to express one’s views freely, right to protest, free and fair trial, etc. These rights make the government accountable and ensure an opportunity to each and every individual to influence the decisions of government:

• Political rights provide equality to all citizens.
• Every citizen has the right to participate in political process.
• Political rights provide the right to vote and elect representatives.
• Every citizen enjoys the right to contest elections and right to form political parties.

A judge of the Supreme Court can be removed from his office before his term expires on the ground of incapacity or misbehavior if Parliament approves it by a majority of two-third members of the Parliament (Both the houses) present and voting. Finally, the President exercises the right to remove a judge if impeachment is proved.

Go through the important set of questions and answers from class 12 NCERT textbook  ‘Contemporary World Politics’. Prepare well from the given questions.
Important Questions for Class 12 Political Science

Click on the chapters links:

PART-A Contemporary World Politics

• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-1/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 1 The Cold War Era">Chapter 1 The Cold War Era</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-2/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity">Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-3/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 3 US Hegemony in World Politics">Chapter 3 US Hegemony in World Politics</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-4/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 4 Alternative Centres of Power">Chapter 4 Alternative Centres of Power</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-5/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 5 Contemporary South Asia">Chapter 5 Contemporary South Asia</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-6/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 6 International Organisations">Chapter 6 International Organisations</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-7/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 7 Security in the Contemporary World">Chapter 7 Security in the Contemporary World</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-8/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 8 Environment and Natural Resources">Chapter 8 Environment and Natural Resources</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-9/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 9 Globalisation">Chapter 9 Globalisation</a>

PART-B Politics in India since Independence

• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-10/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 10 Challenges of Nation Building">Chapter 10 Challenges of Nation Building</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-11/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 11 Era of One-Party Dominance">Chapter 11 Era of One-Party Dominance</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-12/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 12 Politics of Planned Development">Chapter 12 Politics of Planned Development</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-13/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 13 India’s External Relations">Chapter 13 India’s External Relations</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-14/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 14 Challenges to and Restoration of Congress System">Chapter 14 Challenges to and Restoration of Congress System</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-15/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 15 The Crisis of Democratic Order">Chapter 15 The Crisis of Democratic Order</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-16/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 16 Rise of Popular Movements">Chapter 16 Rise of Popular Movements</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-17/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 17 Regional Aspirations">Chapter 17 Regional Aspirations</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-18/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 18 Recent Developments in Indian Politics">Chapter 18 Recent Developments in Indian Politics</a>

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Go through the important set of questions and answers from class 12 NCERT textbook  ‘Contemporary World Politics’. Prepare well from the given questions.
Important Questions for Class 12 Political Science

PART-A Contemporary World Politics

• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-1/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 1 The Cold War Era">Chapter 1 The Cold War Era</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-2/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity">Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-3/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 3 US Hegemony in World Politics">Chapter 3 US Hegemony in World Politics</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-4/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 4 Alternative Centres of Power">Chapter 4 Alternative Centres of Power</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-5/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 5 Contemporary South Asia">Chapter 5 Contemporary South Asia</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-6/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 6 International Organisations">Chapter 6 International Organisations</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-7/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 7 Security in the Contemporary World">Chapter 7 Security in the Contemporary World</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-8/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 8 Environment and Natural Resources">Chapter 8 Environment and Natural Resources</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-9/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 9 Globalisation">Chapter 9 Globalisation</a>

PART-B Politics in India since Independence

• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-10/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 10 Challenges of Nation Building">Chapter 10 Challenges of Nation Building</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-11/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 11 Era of One-Party Dominance">Chapter 11 Era of One-Party Dominance</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-12/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 12 Politics of Planned Development">Chapter 12 Politics of Planned Development</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-13/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 13 India’s External Relations">Chapter 13 India’s External Relations</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-14/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 14 Challenges to and Restoration of Congress System">Chapter 14 Challenges to and Restoration of Congress System</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-15/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 15 The Crisis of Democratic Order">Chapter 15 The Crisis of Democratic Order</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-16/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 16 Rise of Popular Movements">Chapter 16 Rise of Popular Movements</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-17/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 17 Regional Aspirations">Chapter 17 Regional Aspirations</a>
• <a href="https://www.learncbse.in/political-science-class-12-important-questions-chapter-18/" title="Political Science Class 12 Important Questions Chapter 18 Recent Developments in Indian Politics">Chapter 18 Recent Developments in Indian Politics</a>

Give chapters name

The article 326 defines a universal adult franchise as the basis for elections to all levels of the elected government. The universal Adult Franchise refers that all citizens who are 18 years and above irrespective of their caste or education, religion, colour, race and economic conditions are free to vote. In a democracy, a universal adult franchise is important, as it is based on the idea of equality. It states that every adult in a country, irrespective of their wealth and the communities she/he belongs to, has one vote. The Indian Constitution has adopted universal adult franchise as a basis of elections to the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies.