Representation of the People Act Practice Questions
20 free Representation of the People Act practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which specific aspect of the electoral process is primarily governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1950?
- A Conduct of all elections and bye-elections
- B Registration of political parties
- C Seat allocation and delimitation of constituencies
- D Corrupt electoral practices and all criminal offenses
Correct answer: Seat allocation and delimitation of constituencies
The 1950 Act focuses on the 'pre-election' stage, including the allocation of seats in the House of the People and State Legislatures, and the preparation of electoral rolls. The actual conduct of elections is covered under the 1951 Act.
Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, who is responsible for the registration of political parties?
- A The Law Commission of India
- B The Election Commission of India
- C The Ministry of Home Affairs of India
- D The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Correct answer: The Election Commission of India
Section 29A of the RPA 1951 empowers the Election Commission of India to register associations or bodies of individual citizens as political parties. This registration is mandatory for parties seeking to avail themselves of the provisions related to election symbols and tax exemptions.
According to Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, what is the threshold of imprisonment that triggers disqualification for a candidate?
- A Imprisonment for not less than 6 months
- B Imprisonment for not less than 1 year
- C Imprisonment for not less than 2 years
- D Any period of imprisonment for a non-bailable offense
Correct answer: Imprisonment for not less than 2 years
A person convicted of any offense and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years is disqualified from the date of conviction. This disqualification continues for a further period of six years since their release.
Which section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, defines 'Corrupt Practices' such as bribery and undue influence?
- A Section 100
- B Section 123
- C Section 126
- D Section 153
Correct answer: Section 123
Section 123 is a critical provision that lists various corrupt practices including bribery, undue influence, appeal on grounds of religion or caste, and the use of government machinery. If proven in an election petition, these can lead to the election being declared void.
Which authority is empowered by the RPA 1951 to hear an 'Election Petition' challenging the election of a Member of Parliament?
- A The Election Commission of India
- B The Supreme Court of India
- C The High Court of the concerned state
- D A Special Tribunal appointed by the President
Correct answer: The High Court of the concerned state
Following the 1966 amendment, the jurisdiction to try election petitions was transferred to the High Court of the state concerned. Appeals against High Court decisions lie with the Supreme Court.
Under the RPA 1950, what is the primary qualification for a person to be registered in the electoral roll of a constituency?
- A Being a taxpayer in that constituency
- B Being ordinarily resident in that constituency
- C Owning immovable property in that constituency
- D Being born in that constituency
Correct answer: Being ordinarily resident in that constituency
Section 19 of the 1950 Act stipulates that every person who is not less than 18 years of age and is 'ordinarily resident' in a constituency is entitled to be registered in the electoral roll. It prevents voters from registering in multiple locations.
Which Section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, prohibits public meetings during the 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll?
- A Section 123
- B Section 125
- C Section 126
- D Section 127
Correct answer: Section 126
Section 126 prohibits any public meeting, procession, or election propaganda through television or similar apparatus during the 48-hour period known as the 'silence period'. This is intended to allow voters a period of calm reflection before casting their vote.
Which document is a political party required to submit to the Election Commission under Section 29C of the RPA 1951 to claim tax relief?
- A Annual Audit Report of the party
- B Report of donations above Rs. 20,000
- C Election Manifesto for the upcoming polls
- D List of all enrolled primary members
Correct answer: Report of donations above Rs. 20,000
Section 29C requires political parties to submit a report of contributions received in excess of twenty thousand rupees from any person or company. Failure to submit this report by the due date results in the loss of tax exemption benefits under the Income Tax Act.
Under the RPA 1951, a person is disqualified from voting if they are:
- A Convicted under Section 171E of the IPC
- B An NRI holding Indian citizenship
- C Unable to read or write
- D Currently serving as a government employee
Correct answer: Convicted under Section 171E of the IPC
Section 11A of the Act specifies that if a person is convicted of an offense relating to bribery or personation at an election, they are disqualified from voting for a period of six years. This is a measure to maintain the purity of the electoral process.
The 'Free supply of certain items to candidates' of recognized political parties, such as electoral rolls, is permitted under which section of the RPA 1951?
- A Section 77
- B Section 78A
- C Section 123
- D Section 127A
Correct answer: Section 78A
Section 78A provides for the free supply of copies of relevant electoral rolls and other prescribed items to candidates of recognized political parties. This is part of the state support to ensure standardized information reaches all key contestants.
Which legal provision in the RPA 1951 requires every candidate to maintain a separate and correct account of all expenditure between the date of nomination and the date of declaration of result?
- A Section 77
- B Section 80
- C Section 123
- D Section 167
Correct answer: Section 77
Section 77 mandates that every candidate shall keep a correct account of all election expenses. Failure to lodge an account of election expenses within the prescribed time and manner can lead to disqualification under Section 10A.
Under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, who has the power to disqualify a person found guilty of a corrupt practice by a court?
- A The Supreme Court of India
- B The President, acting on ECI's opinion
- C The Chief Justice of the relevant High Court
- D The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Correct answer: The President, acting on ECI's opinion
Per Section 8A, the question of whether a person found guilty of a corrupt practice shall be disqualified and for what period is determined by the President. The President must obtain and act according to the opinion of the Election Commission.
What is the limitation period for filing an election petition under Section 81 of the RPA 1951?
- A 30 days from the date of election
- B 45 days from the date of election
- C 60 days from the date of declaration of result
- D 90 days from the date of declaration of result
Correct answer: 45 days from the date of election
An election petition calling in question any election must be presented to the High Court within forty-five days from the date of the election of the returned candidate. This ensures that disputes are brought to court promptly.
Which section of the RPA 1951 deals with the disqualification for failure to lodge an account of election expenses?
- A Section 8
- B Section 9
- C Section 10A
- D Section 11
Correct answer: Section 10A
Section 10A states that if the Election Commission is satisfied that a person has failed to lodge an account of election expenses within the time and has no good reason for the failure, it shall declare that person to be disqualified for a period of three years.
Under Section 127A of the RPA 1951, every election pamphlet or poster must bear on its face:
- A The official symbol of the political party
- B Names and addresses of the printer and publisher
- C The total cost of printing the material
- D A certificate from the concerned District Magistrate
Correct answer: Names and addresses of the printer and publisher
This provision is intended to curb anonymous election propaganda and fix responsibility for the content of the literature. It requires the printer to obtain a declaration from the publisher as to their identity.
Which of the following describes the 'Conduct of Election Rules, 1961'?
- A They are a separate Act passed by Parliament
- B They are rules framed by Central Government under RPA 1951
- C They are internal guidelines of the Election Commission of India
- D They were part of the original Constitution
Correct answer: They are rules framed by Central Government under RPA 1951
Section 169 of the RPA 1951 gives the Central Government the power to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act after consulting the Election Commission. These rules provide the granular details for the use of EVMs, counting of votes, etc.
Which Section of the RPA 1951 was struck down by the Supreme Court in the Lily Thomas case (2013)?
- A Section 8(1)
- B Section 8(3)
- C Section 8(4)
- D Section 123(3)
Correct answer: Section 8(4)
Section 8(4) allowed convicted MPs and MLAs to continue in office if they filed an appeal within three months. The Supreme Court struck it down as unconstitutional, leading to immediate disqualification upon conviction.
Under the RPA 1950, who is the authority responsible for the 'Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies'?
- A The President of India
- B The Delimitation Commission
- C The Census Commissioner of India
- D The Rajya Sabha
Correct answer: The Delimitation Commission
The actual redrawing of boundaries is done by the Delimitation Commission established under the Delimitation Act. However, the RPA 1950 provides the framework for the allocation of seats based on those delimitation orders.
The 'Right to Vote' in India is characterized by the Supreme Court as a:
- A Fundamental Right
- B Natural Right
- C Statutory Right under the RPA 1951
- D Directive Principle of State Policy
Correct answer: Statutory Right under the RPA 1951
The Supreme Court has consistently held that the right to vote is not a Fundamental Right but a 'statutory right' or a 'constitutional right' (under Article 326) subject to the limitations prescribed by the RPA 1951.
Which Section of the RPA 1951 prohibits a person from contesting from more than two constituencies in a general election?
- A Section 33(7)
- B Section 34(1)
- C Section 62(1)
- D Section 77(1)
Correct answer: Section 33(7)
Section 33(7) was amended in 1996 to restrict a candidate from contesting from more than two constituencies in a single general election or a round of bye-elections. This was done to reduce the cost and logistical burden of frequent bye-elections.