Election Commission of India

Election Commission 

To manage the electoral affairs of the country in the matter of Election of President, Vice President, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and state legislators an autonomous body termed as Election commission has been kept constituted  with article 324.   

• Part XV of the Indian constitution deals with elections, and establishes a commission for these matters.
• The Election Commission was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950.
• Article 324 to 329 of the constitution deals with powers, function, tenure, eligibility, etc of the commission and the member.

Composition of the Election Commission of India

The Election Commission of India comprises a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. According to Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, the President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and “such other Commissioners” as he may from time to time. 

The CEC and other Election Commissioners are appointed for a period of six years, or up to the age of 65 years. When an Election Commissioner is appointed, the CEC acts as the Chairman of the Commission.

Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from his office on the grounds of misconduct or incapacity if the two-third members in both houses of the Parliament give their consent to the decision. The President can remove other Election Commissioners if it is being recommended by the CEC. Prior to the general elections or state elections, the President may also appoint Regional Commissioners to assist the Election Commission in performing its duties.

The Secretariat helps the Commission perform its executive functions. The secretariat is headed by two deputy election commissioners, who are selected by the Commission from the national civil service. 

On a state level, it’s the chief electoral officer (CEO) who supervises the election work. The Commission selects the electoral officer from senior civil servants recommended by the state government.

Function of Election commission 

1. Election commission prepares the electoral  role for election to the president, vice president, parliament and state legislatures and revises them time to time. 
2. According to the provision of delimitation act 1952, the delimitation of election constituencies has to be done after every census. This delimitation commission is headed by CEC and responsible for conducting delimitation of constituencies in due course of time.
3. Commission supervises, directs and controls the election of the president, the vice president, parliament and state legislatures.
4. Commission lays down the general rules for the election and issues notification of dates and schedules of the election and ensures safety of nomination papers
5. Commission determines the model code of conduct that has to be observed by political parties and candidates at the time of election.
6. The EC allots symbols to political parties and independent candidates contesting election.
7. The EC gives recognition to the political parties. 
8. The EC makes all arrangements in conducting free and fair election
9. The EC also has the power to cancel, postpone any election on the ground of corrupt, illegal practice etc. 
10. The EC tender advices to the President and the Governor on questions relating to disqualifying member of parliament and state legislaure
11. The EC determines the limit of expenditure during election.
12. The EC makes the provision of distributing the time allotment on TV and radio for different political parties for canvassing during election.  
13. The EC makes awareness generation among citizen on the technical process of election
14. The EC recruits election officer to inquire on the dispute arising out of or in connection with election arrangements.     

   Articles related to Elections

324	Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in an Election Commission.
325	No person to be ineligible for inclusion in, or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.
326	Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrage.
327	Power of Parliament to make provision with respect to elections to Legislatures.
328	Power of Legislature of a State to make provision with respect to elections to such Legislature.
329	Bar to interference by courts in electoral matters.