ELECTION COMMISSION

Clarification regarding conduct of mock poll during commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs – regarding.  Supply of specially designed pens for marking preference in ballot paper in elections to Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils – regarding. 

The Election Commission is a permanent and an independent body established by the Constitution of India directly to ensure free and fair elections in the country. The appointment of the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners shall be made by the president The president may also appoint after consultation with the election commission such regional commissioners as he may consider necessary to assist the election commission The conditions of service and tenure of office of the election commissioners and the regional commissioners shall be determined by the president When any other election commissioner is so appointed, the chief election commissioner shall act as the chairman of the election commission

Since its inception on 25 Jan 1950 and till 15 October 1989, the election commission functioned as a single member body consisting of the Chief Election Commissioner. On 16 October 1989, the president appointed two more election commissioners to cope with the increased work of the election commission on account of lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18 years.

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.  In case of difference of opinion amongst the Chief Election Commissioner and/or two other election commissioners, the matter is decided by the Commission by majority.

They hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. They can resign at any time or can also be removed before the expiry of their term. Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India

PART 15: ELECTIONS Article 324 – Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in an Election Commission Article 325 – No person to be intelligible for inclusion in, or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex Article 326 – Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assemblies of States to be on the basis of adult suffrage Article 329 – Bar to interference by court in electoral matters

Question and Answer on Election Commission of India Which of the following is a constitutional body? (a) Election Commission (b) Finance Commission (c) National Commission for Scheduled Castes (d) All of the above

2. Which statement about the Election Commission is not correct? (a) It is a permanent and independent body (b) It is responsible for getting conduct the elections of President, Vice President and Municipal Corporations (c) Article 324 of the Constitution envisages the provisions relating to the Election Commission (d) This is an all-India institution Explanation: The election commission is not responsible for conducting the election of municipal corporations.

 How many Election Commissioners are in the Election Commission? (b) 4 (c) 5 (d) 6

Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner? (a) Parliament (b) President of India (c) Prime Minister (d) Law Minister

Which of the following statements is correct? (a) The powers of the Chief Election Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners vary in many ways. (b) The salary and allowances of the Election Commissioner are similar to that of the High Court Judge. (c) The Governor appoints State Election Commissions on the advice of the Election Commission (d) The term of the Election Commissioners is up to 6 years or 65 years of age. B

Which of the following is not the work of Election Commission? (a) To conduct the election of Lok Sabha, Legislative Assembly, President and Vice President (b) Approval of setting up of political parties (c) Deciding the disqualification of a Member of Parliament by using his discretion power (d) Advising the governor on matters related to the disqualification of members of the Legislative Council Answer c Explanation: The Election Commission shall seek the approval of the president in deciding the disqualification of a Member of Parliament.

(a) As it is followed to remove the Chief Justice of High Court 7. What kind of procedure should be followed to remove the Chief Election Commissioner? (a) As it is followed to remove the Chief Justice of High Court (b) As it is followed to remove the Judge of the Supreme Court (c) By passing a resolution in the Lok Sabha only (d) None of the above Answer b Explanation: As it is followed to remove the Judge of the Supreme Court.

(b) Chief Election Commissioner (c) Governor The State Election Commissioner can be removed on the basis of whose recommendation. (a) Law Minister (b) Chief Election Commissioner (c) Governor (d) Chief Justice of the High Court Answer b Explanation: Chief Election Commissioner

(a) Legislative Assembly (b) Vice President (c) Gram Panchayat Whose election is not held under the supervision of the Chief Election Commissioner? (a) Legislative Assembly (b) Vice President (c) Gram Panchayat (d) President Answer c Explanation: Election of Gram Panchayat is done under the supervision of the State Election Commission.

(a) Being in Indian Administrative Service Which qualification is given in the constitution to be elected a commissioner of Election Commission? (a) Being in Indian Administrative Service (b) Shall have Experience of at least 5 years as a lawyer in a High Court (c) Completion of 35 years of age (d) None of the above Answer d Explanation: No qualification has been fixed in the constitution to be appointed as election commissioner.