The Election Commission of India is an independent constitutional body responsible for administering and conducting free and fair elections in India. It was established on January 25, 1950, under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution.
The Election Commission of India is a three-member body, with a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners (EC). The President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners. They hold office for a term of six years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
The main functions of the Election Commission of India are as follows:
- Conducting free and fair elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies like Municipalities, Panchayats, etc.
- Delimitation of constituencies and preparation of electoral rolls.
- Recognition and registration of political parties and allocation of symbols to them.
- Enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct to ensure a level playing field for all candidates during the election campaign.
- Monitoring the election process to ensure that it is free and fair, and taking necessary steps to prevent malpractices.
The Election Commission of India has played a significant role in ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections in India. It has implemented several measures to promote transparency, reduce the influence of money and muscle power in elections, and enhance voter participation. The Election Commission of India is widely respected as an impartial and independent institution that upholds the democratic values of India.
