The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional authority responsible for administering elections in India. It conducts elections to the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha, the Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils of the states and union territories, and the offices of the President and Vice-President of India. The Commission is established under Article 324 of the Constitution of India.
| Election Commission of India | |
|---|---|
| Type | Constitutional body |
| Established | 25 January 1950 |
| Constitutional basis | Article 324, Constitution of India |
| Headquarters | Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi |
| Composition | Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners |
| Jurisdiction | Republic of India |
| Commemoration | National Voters' Day, observed annually on 25 January |
Overview
The Election Commission of India is an autonomous body charged with the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President. It does not, however, conduct elections to local bodies such as municipalities and panchayats; that responsibility rests with the State Election Commissions established under separate constitutional provisions.
Constitutional basis
Part XV of the Constitution of India deals with elections, and Article 324 vests the powers of superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission. Other articles in this part address related matters, including the preparation of electoral rolls (Article 325), adult suffrage (Article 326), and the power of Parliament and state legislatures to make laws regarding elections (Articles 327 and 328).
Composition
The Commission was originally a single-member body headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). It was made a multi-member body for a brief period in 1989 and again from 1993, when additional Election Commissioners were appointed. The CEC and the Election Commissioners enjoy equal powers and decisions are typically taken by majority where there is a difference of opinion.
The CEC and Election Commissioners are appointed by the President of India. The conditions of service and tenure are governed by law made by Parliament. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through a process similar to that prescribed for the removal of a Supreme Court judge, providing a measure of independence to the office.
Functions
- Preparation, maintenance and periodic revision of electoral rolls.
- Notification of election schedules and supervision of polling, counting, and declaration of results.
- Recognition of political parties and allotment of election symbols.
- Issuance and enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct during elections.
- Setting limits on election expenditure by candidates and scrutinising returns of expenses.
- Advising the President or Governor on matters relating to disqualification of legislators on grounds specified in the Constitution.
- Conduct of elections to the offices of the President and Vice-President of India.
History
The Election Commission was established on 25 January 1950, a day before the Constitution came into force. Sukumar Sen served as the first Chief Election Commissioner and oversaw the conduct of the first general elections of 1951–52, which remain among the largest exercises of universal adult franchise undertaken anywhere at the time.
From its establishment until 1989, the Commission functioned as a single-member body. In October 1989, two additional Election Commissioners were appointed for a short period. The Commission reverted to a single-member body shortly thereafter, and was again reconstituted as a multi-member body in 1993, a structure that has since been retained.
Headquarters
The Commission's headquarters, known as Nirvachan Sadan, is located on Ashoka Road in New Delhi. The Commission is supported by a permanent secretariat with deputy election commissioners, directors-general, and other officers. At the state level, the Commission's work is coordinated by Chief Electoral Officers, while at the district and constituency level, District Election Officers and Returning Officers conduct elections under its supervision.
Electoral reforms and initiatives
Over the decades, the Commission has introduced and overseen several measures aimed at improving the integrity and accessibility of the electoral process. These include the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the introduction of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units, the issuance of photo identity cards (EPIC) to voters, and voter education campaigns under the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.
National Voters' Day is observed each year on 25 January, marking the foundation day of the Commission, with a focus on encouraging young and first-time voters to enrol and participate in elections.
Significance
The Election Commission of India is widely regarded as one of the principal institutions safeguarding democratic governance in India. By conducting elections at a continental scale across diverse linguistic, geographic and social settings, the Commission has played a central role in sustaining representative democracy in the country.
Related topics
- Constitution of India
- Lok Sabha
- Rajya Sabha
- President of India
- Model Code of Conduct
- Electronic Voting Machine
- State Election Commission
- Elections in India
References
- Constitution of India, Part XV (Articles 324–329).
- Representation of the People Act, 1950 and Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- Official publications of the Election Commission of India.