Four ways in which the election commission help in India | Election Commission of India | ECI all information | What is the main job of the...

 Four ways in which the election commission help in India | Election Commission of India | ECI all information | What is the main job of the ECI?

ECI : Election Commission of India 

Four ways in which the election commission help in India

Election Commission of India

What is the main job of the ECI?

Election Commission Structure

Independence of Election Commission

These rights and functions are as follows in detail

Election Commission's Mission, Objectives and Principles

The Election Commission of India has established the Election Commission as a permanent and independent body to ensure that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner in the country. According to Article 324 of the Constitution, the Election Commission has the power to oversee, guide and control the elections to Parliament, the State Legislature, the President and the Vice-President of India. As it is the only body for the Central Government and the State Governments, the Election Commission is in a way an all-India body.

It should be noted here that the Election Commission is not related to the elections of Panchayats and Municipalities in the States, for which the Constitution provides for an Independent State Election Commission.

Election Commission Structure -

The structure of the Commission has the following provisions in Article 324 of the Constitution

(1) The Election Commission shall consist of a Chief Election Commissioner and as many other Election Commissioners as the President may determine from time to time,

(2) The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall be appointed by the President.

(3) The Chief Election Commissioner shall be the Chairman of the Election Commission at the time when other Election Commissioners are appointed.

(4) If necessary for the assistance of the Election Commission, the President may, in consultation with the Election Commission, appoint a Divisional Commissioner.

(5) The President shall determine the terms and conditions of service of the Election Commissioner and the Divisional Commissioner. From its inception in 1950 till October 15, 1989, the Election Commission was a one-member body headed by the Chief Election Commissioner. On October 16, 1989, the President appointed two more Election Commissioners to handle the increased workload of the Election Commission by lowering the age of voters from 21 to 18 years. Thereafter, the Election Commission started functioning as a multi-member body of three Election Commissioners. But in January 1990, the other two posts of Election Commissioner were abolished and the Election Commission resumed its work. However, in October 1993, the President again appointed two more Election Commissioners. Since then, the Election Commission has been functioning as a multi-member body of three Election Commissioners.

The Chief Election Commissioner and the other two Election Commissioners have equal powers. They get equal pay, allowances and other benefits. He has the status of a Supreme Court judge. If there is a disagreement between the Chief Election Commissioner and / or two other Election Commissioners, the decision is taken by a majority.

His term is 6 years or until he completes 65 years of age, whichever is earlier. They can resign or be removed at any time before the end of their term.

Independence of Election Commission -

Article 324 of the Constitution contains the following provisions to ensure and protect the Election Commission to function independently and impartially.

(1) The term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner has been guaranteed. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only in the same manner and for the same reasons as the Supreme Court judge is removed. This means that the President can remove him only on the basis of a resolution passed by a special majority of both the Houses of Parliament on the grounds of incompetence or proven misconduct. Therefore, even if the President appoints him, his tenure does not depend on the will of the President.

(2) After the appointment, no change can be made in the terms of service of the Chief Election Commissioner which may be unfavorable to him.

(3) Other Election Commissioners or Divisional Election Commissioners may not be removed from office without the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

Although the Constitution provides for the protection and ensuring the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission, it has some flaws.As follows ...

 (1) The Constitution does not specify eligibility criteria (legal, educational, administrative or judicial) for the post of Election Commissioner.

(2) The tenure of the members of the Election Commission is not mentioned in the Constitution.

(3) The Constitution does not prohibit the Government from appointing a retiring Election Commissioner to another post.

Powers and Functions There are three types of powers and functions of the Election Commission in respect of elections to Parliament, Legislature, President and Vice-President.

 (1) Administrative

(2) Counseling

(3) Semi-judicial.

These rights and functions are as follows in detail
What is the main job of the ECI?

(1) To determine the geographical area of constituencies across the country on the basis of the Delimitation Commission Act of Parliament.

(2) Preparation of voter lists, updating of these lists from time to time and registration of all new eligible voters.

(3) Notifying the election schedule and date and scrutinizing the applications.

(4) Recognizing political parties and giving them election symbols.

(5) To act as a court for resolving disputes relating to recognition of political parties and election symbols.

(6) To appoint officers to inquire into disputes concerning the electoral system.

(7) To prepare a code of conduct to be followed by the parties and candidates at the time of election.

(8) To decide the order of publication of policies by political parties on radio and television during the election period.

(9) To advise the President on disqualification of Members of Parliament.

(10) To advise the Governor on disqualification of members of the Legislature.

(11) To take possession of the polling booths, to cancel the election in case of violence, election corruption or other irregularities.

(12) To request the President and the Governor to provide necessary staff for holding elections.

(13) To monitor the electoral system across the country to ensure free and fair elections.

(14) To advise the President to extend the state of emergency after one year and to hold elections in the State under the President.

(15) To register political parties for elections and to give them the status of national or state party on the basis of their performance in elections.

The Deputy Commissioner of Elections assists the Election Commissioner. They are in the civil service and are appointed by the Commissioner for a fixed term. He is assisted by the Secretary, Joint Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary of the Secretariat of the Commission. At the state level, the Chief Electoral Officer appointed by the Chief Election Commissioner assists the Election Commission in consultation with the State Government. At the district level, the Collector acts as the Returning Officer. He appoints election officers in each constituency of the district and appoints a chief officer for each polling station in the constituency.

Election Commission's Mission, Objectives and Principles-

Motto -

The Election Commission of India will strive to become a center of excellence through more proactive practices, participation and inculcating and empowering electoral democracy in India and the world.

Objective -

The Election Commission of India will uphold freedom, integrity and autonomy, ensure policy-based participation for all, inclusiveness and stakeholders, and embrace the highest standards of professionalism by holding free, fair and transparent elections to enable electoral democracy and governance.

Guidelines -

'The Commission has laid down guidelines for good governance for itself

1) To uphold the values of equality, fairness, impartiality, independence and rule of law in the conduct of elections.

(2) To hold elections with the highest standards of credibility, openness, fairness, transparency, integrity, accountability, autonomy and professionalism.

(3) To ensure that all eligible citizens can participate in the election process in a voter-centered and voter-friendly inclusive environment.

(4) To work with political parties and all stakeholders for the benefit of the electoral process.

(5) To promote awareness among the voters, political parties, election officials (staff), candidates and the general public about the electoral process and election-related activities and to strengthen trust in the electoral system in this country.

(6) To develop human resources for effective and professional delivery of election services. To create high quality infrastructure for smooth conduct of election process.

(7) Adoption of technology to improve all aspects of the electoral process.

To strive to adopt innovative methods to achieve and excel in goals and objectives.

 Helping to enhance democratic values by maintaining and enhancing people's confidence in the electoral process in the country.