A Simple Note On Election
Commission
The ECI is just a self-governing constitutional authority that regulates the
election process in India in accordance with the Indian Constitution.
TABLE OF CONTENT
What is the Election commission of India?
Structure of ECI
Removal from office
The Election commission of India was established on 25th Jan 1950, with the goal of
establishing and managing our country’s electoral process. The ECI’s most important job is to
conduct free elections and fair elections in accordance with the regulations and the Model Rules
of Ethics which is a code of ethics.
What is the Election commission of
India?
The ECI is a self-governing constitutional authority that regulates the election process in India in
accordance with the Indian Constitution. The ECI was established on 25th Jan 1950, with the
goal of managing our country’s electoral process. The ECI is in charge of overseeing elections
from the President to such State Legislative Assembly. According to Article 324 of said Indian
Constitution, the Election Commission of India has supervisory and directing responsibility for
the whole process of election to the legislatures and legislatures of each and every state with
India’s president and vice-president.
Structure of ECI:
Originally, there was only a single election commissioner on the commission, but thanks to the
ECI Amendment Act 1989, it is now a multi-member body
The commission was made by 1 chief election commissioner with 2 election commissioners
The election commission is assisted at the state level by the Chief Electoral Officer, who is an
IAS level Officer
They have a set six-year term, or until they reach the age of 65, whichever comes first
They have the same status, salary, and benefits as Supreme court judges of India
Removal from office:
Judges of the High Courts and the Supreme Court, as well as the CEC and the CAG, may be
removed from office by a resolution passed by Parliament on the basis of “proven misbehavior or
incapacity”
The term “impeachment” is not used in the Constitution to refer to the removal of judges, CAGs,
and CECs
The word “Impeachment” is exclusively used to remove the President, which needs a special
majority of two-thirds of the entire strength of both chambers and is not used anywhere
Appointment and tenure of
commissioners:
The President of India appoints a chief election commissioner and election commissioners
6-year tenure for both election chief commissioners and commissioners and it’s up to 65 years
The elected commissioner is the only person who has the authority to dismiss the election
commissioner
Only the president, with the agreement of parliament, has the authority to dismiss the chief
election commissioner
Powers of ECI:
The powers of Election commissioners of India can be categorized into 3 types followed
Administrative Powers, Advisory Powers, and Quasi-judicial Powers
Administrative powers:
The vital task of supervising, directing, and controlling the conduct of elections encompasses a
wide range of authorities, responsibilities, and activities; these are basically the administrative
powers upon the ECI Article 324 confers several tasks on the Commission, which could be
powers or obligations, mostly administrative, but also judicial or legislative in nature.
Advisory Powers:
In cases where a person is accused and convicted of any corrupt practices during an election,
the President of India makes the decision whether the same person must be disqualified from
competing in upcoming elections or not, and, if so, for how long. Before making a judgment in the
event of such an incident, the President obtains the advice of the ECI and may act in accordance
with that advice depending on the circumstances.
Quasi-Judicial Powers:
The Election Commission is also required by law to conduct another crucial job. All organizations
or groupings of persons calling themselves political parties and prepared to run for office under
the name and flag of a political party must register with ECI. The Supreme Court has ruled that
the Election Commission’s job of registering political parties is a quasi-judicial function done by
ECI.
Role of ECI:
ECI is critical in the organization of elections. The ECI’s most important job is to conduct free
elections and fair elections in accordance with the regulations and the Model Rules of Ethics
which is a code of ethics. It is in response to monitoring political parties’ and candidates’ acts and
activities.
The function of ECI:
ECI is in charge of ensuring a free and fair election
It makes certain that parties follow the Code Of Ethical Conduct
Regulates and registers political parties based on their eligibility to run in elections
All parties are encouraged to set a cap on campaign spending per candidate, which is monitored
All political parties are required to file yearly accounts to the Election commission of India in order
to collect the tax advantage on contributions
Ensures that almost all political parties produce audited financial reports on a regular basis
The Election Commission’s primary responsibilities are as follows
Supervise, control, and conduct all parliamentary and state legislative elections
Establish general election regulations
Make electoral rolls
Determine the allocation of constituencies on a geographical basis
Give political parties credit
Election emblems should be assigned to political parties and candidates
Voting Procedure:
The voting is done by 3 methods according to area condition and person’s disability.These are
EVM, postal voting, and Electors with disabilities. EVM is nothing but Electronic Voting Machines
which are now used to take benefits of voting on a large scale.
Conclusion:
The Election Commission of India has supervisory and directing responsibility for the whole
process of election to the legislatures and legislatures of each and every state with India’s
president and vice-president. This helps to conduct elections of Lok Sabha, Rajya sabha, and
many more.
