Q1. What is the penalty for furnishing false information in the candidate affidavit?
- Disqualification for 10 years
- Imprisonment up to 6 months or fine or both
- ₹10,000 fine only
- Life ban from elections
Correct Option: 2. Imprisonment up to 6 months or fine or both.
Explanation: Furnishing false information in the affidavit constitutes an electoral offence and is punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a fine, or both.
Q2. What type of expenditure was exempted from a candidate’s election spending limit in 2003?
- Social media ads
- Travelling expenses of campaigners
- Media advertisements
- Polling agents’ salary
Correct Option: 2. Travelling expenses of campaigners.
Explanation: The traveling expenditure incurred by leaders of recognized political parties during campaigning was excluded from a candidate’s individual election expenditure limits.
Q3. What reform was introduced to help visually impaired voters?
- Postal voting
- Proxy voting
- Braille signage on EVMs
- Online voting
Correct Option: 3. Braille signage on EVMs.
Explanation: The Election Commission introduced Braille-enabled EVMs starting with a 2004 by-election, and implemented it nationwide in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections to aid visually impaired voters.
Q4. What is the minimum donation amount a political party must report to the Election Commission?
- ₹10,000
- ₹50,000
- ₹1 lakh
- ₹20,000
Correct Option: 4. ₹20,000.
Explanation: Political parties must report all donations exceeding ₹20,000 to the Election Commission in order to claim income tax exemptions under the law.
Q5. On what basis does the Election Commission allocate time on electronic media during elections (post-2003 reform)?
- Number of candidates
- Past performance of political parties
- Social media presence
- Number of constituencies contested
Correct Option: 2. Past performance of political parties.
Explanation: According to the 2003 reform, the EC allocates broadcast and cable time to political parties based on their past electoral performance, ensuring equitable media access.