INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY
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For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance like Election Commission of India
For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity
Context:
The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar, 2025 and bye-elections in 8 Assembly Constituencies.
The Commission appoints Central Observers under the plenary powers conferred on it by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to assist the Commission in the conduct of free and fair polls.
Read about:
Article 324 of the Constitution
ECI - Functions and Responsibilities
Key takeaways:
- Article 324 of the Indian Constitution deals with the superintendence, direction, and control of elections in India. It is one of the most significant provisions ensuring the independence and integrity of the country’s electoral process.
- In simple terms, Article 324 vests the entire responsibility of conducting free and fair elections in the hands of a constitutional body called the Election Commission of India (ECI).
- This article forms the backbone of India’s democratic framework by ensuring that elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President are conducted in a fair and impartial manner.
- The article states that the superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to these bodies shall be vested in the Election Commission.
- This means the ECI has the authority to make all necessary arrangements for elections—from deciding election schedules and monitoring political parties, to supervising counting of votes and announcing results.
- The powers are not just administrative but also quasi-judicial, allowing the Commission to settle disputes related to recognition of political parties and allocation of symbols.
- The Election Commission under Article 324 is composed of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and such number of Election Commissioners as the President may decide. Initially, there was only one CEC, but since 1993, the Commission has functioned as a multi-member body.
- The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and the other Election Commissioners. However, to maintain independence, the CEC can only be removed from office in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge—through impeachment by Parliament on grounds of proven misbehavior or incapacity—while the other Election Commissioners can be removed only on the recommendation of the CEC.
- Article 324 also gives the Election Commission the authority to direct state governments or other officials to assist in the conduct of elections. This ensures that even though elections are a central subject, cooperation between the Centre and the States remains intact.
- In essence, Article 324 is not merely a procedural clause—it is a constitutional guarantee of electoral democracy. It empowers the Election Commission to act as an autonomous and neutral authority that safeguards the sanctity of elections, thereby ensuring that the will of the people is freely and fairly expressed through the ballot.
Functions and responsibilities of ECI
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution. It p