Election Commission of India

Recently, Om Prakash Rawat elected as Chief Election Commissioner of India.

In this context the following topics are discussed:

• What are the constitutional provisions related to Election commission? 
• What is Election commission? 
• How many numbers of election commissioners present in Election commission? 

Constitutional Provisions related to Elections:

Part 15 of the constitution from Articles 324 to 329-A is related to elections.

What is Election commission?

The election commission was constituted under article 324 of the Indian Constitution in the year 1950. Sukumar Sen became the first Chief Election Commissioner.
It is an independent and constitutional body.
The main function of the Election commission is to conduct free and fair elections to

• Parliament, 
• State legislatures, 
• The Office of President of India
• The Office of vice-president of India 

Please note that Elections to Municipalities and Panchayats are conducted by State Election commission

Composition of Election commission:

Currently, Election commission of India is a multi-member body consisting of

1. One Chief Election Commissioner 
2. Two Chief Election commissioners 

• Please note that from 1950 to 1989 the election commission functioned as single member body that is consisting only chief election commissioner. In 1989 it is made of 3 member body
• Again in 1990 it is made of single-member body
• Later in 1993 it was made as 3 member body (1 chief election commissioner and 2 election commissioners)
• The chief election commissioner and the two other election commissioners have equal powers and receive equal salary, allowances and other perquisites, which are similar to those of a judge of the Supreme Court

Appointment of Election commission:

The President of India appoints Chief election commissioner and election commissioners

How election commissioners can be removed?

• Though the president appoints election commission, they can be removed only on the basis of a resolution passed to that effect by both the Houses of Parliament with the special majority, either on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

Term of the office:

Generally, Chief election commissioner and election commissioners hold office

• For a term of Six years or 
• Until they attain the age of 65 years 

Powers and Functions of Election commission:
The main functions of the Election Commission of India are as follows:

• Ensure free and fair elections in the country; 
• Supervise, direct and control the entire election machinery; preparation of electoral roll; 
• Provide recognition to political parties and register them as national and state parties; 
• Allotment of symbols to political parties and the numerous independent candidates contesting the elections; 
• Issuing guidelines and code of conduct for the election officials, candidates, and for the political parties during the elections; 
• Solving election complaints received from the voters, the candidates and the political parties; 
• Appointment of electoral officials; and 
• Advising the President on matters relating to elections. 

Recent news about Election commission:

• Recently, Om Prakash Rawat appointed as 22nd Chief Election Commissioner of India in the place of Achal Kumar Joti. He was an IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre. 
• Before appointment as Election Commissioner of India, Rawat had retired as secretary of ministry of heavy industries and public enterprises 
• Along with Rawat Ashok Lavasa has also been appointed to the Election Commission. Previously Lavasa served as Finance secretary 

Now member of the election commission are

1. Achal Kumar Jyoti 
2. Ashoka Lavasa 
3. Sunil Arora 

Questions:

1. How many members are present in Election commission of India?

a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5

2. Who among the following is the present chief election commissioner of India?

a. Achal Kumar Jyoti
b. Nasim Zaidi
c. HS Brahma
d. OP Rawat

3. Who is the First chief election commissioner of India?

a. Sukumar Sen
b. Kalyan Sundaram
c. SP Sen Verma
d. Nagendra Singh

4. Who among the following appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election commissioners?

a. Parliament

b. Prime minister
c. President
d. Vice-President

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