Correct Answer: (a) 7
Solution:Let the total valid votes be V.
The defeated candidate received 42% of the valid votes and lost by 2545800 votes.
Therefore, the winning candidate received = 100% - 42%
= 58% of the valid votes
The difference in votes between the two candidates = 58% - 42% = 16% of the valid votes.
V × 16% = 2545800 ⇒ V=15,911,250
Total votes polled = 15,911,250 + 365500= 16 ,276,750
30% of people did not cast their votes so 70% did cast their vote.
70% =16,276,750
(people who did not cast their votes) 30% = 6,975,750 So, approximate number of people in the electorate who did not cast their votes is 7 million