UPSC Prelims 1995 · General Studies

Question 99: Polity and Governance

If in an election to a State Legislative Assembly the candidate who is declared elected loses his deposit, it means that

athe polling was very poor

bthe election was for a multi-member constituency

cthe elected candidate’s victory over his nearest rival was very marginal

da very large number of candidates contested the election

AnswerThe answer is (d).

A candidate loses the deposit if he fails to get more than one-sixth of the valid votes polled in his constituency. A winner can fall below this level only when the field is so crowded that the votes are split many ways and even the winner gets a small share. Poor turnout or a narrow margin does not by itself cause this. Remember: the deposit is lost below one-sixth of valid votes.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Poor polling does not by itself cut a winner's share below one-sixth.
(b) Assembly seats are filled from single-member constituencies.
(c) A narrow victory over the nearest rival does not mean the winner's share fell below one-sixth.
(d) Right: with very many candidates, even the winner can poll under one-sixth.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1995, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.