The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutionally autonomous body responsible for the administration of elections in India. Established on 25th Jan 1950, it is responsible for conducting free and fair election in India.
The Election Commission’s Role and Functions
- Supervising and preparing electoral rolls
- Elections to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. State Legislative Assemblies. State Legislative Councils.
- Election dates and times are set.
- The Model Code of Conduct of Political Parties.
- Monitor the election expenditures of candidates.
- Fair and transparent elections are essential.
Election Commission of India: Examples of their Work
To ensure that the election process was fair, the Election Commission employed advanced technologies such as Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPAT). In addition to awareness campaigns, outreach programs and voter registration drives were conducted by the Election Commission in order to boost turnout.
FAQs
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How is the Election Commission of India composed?
A Chief Election Commissioner, and two Election Commissioners make up the Election Commission.
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How do chief electoral commissioners get appointed?
India’s President appoints the Chief election commissioner, and then the president consults with him to appoint the members of the electoral commission.
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What is the term of office for Election Commissioners
The election commissioners are appointed for six-year terms or until 65 years of age, whichever comes first.
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How does the Election Commission monitor elections?
To monitor regional elections, the Election Commission names Chief Electoral Officials (CEOs) in every state. The commission will also dispatch observers to monitor the process.
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What is the role of the Election Commission in ensuring transparency?
It enforces strict rules on political campaigns, spending, and ethical conduct for candidates and parties. The Election Commission also uses various tools such as EVMs, VVPATs, and other measures to guarantee fair elections.
