What is the Election Commission of India? Describe its composition and any five powers. Under which Article of the Constitution is it established?

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ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA (ECI): The ECI is an INDEPENDENT CONSTITUTIONAL BODY responsible for superintending, directing, and controlling the conduct of elections in India. CONSTITUTIONAL BASIS: Article 324 of the Constitution of India. COMPOSITION: Headed by the CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER (CEC). Assisted by TWO ELECTION COMMISSIONERS. The CEC has the same security of tenure as a Supreme Court judge — can be removed only through impeachment (very difficult to remove) — ensuring INDEPENDENCE from political pressure. FIVE MAJOR POWERS: (1) Prepares and revises ELECTORAL ROLLS — the list of all registered voters. Every citizen above 18 who applies is included. (2) Delimits CONSTITUENCIES — draws the geographical boundaries of each Lok Sabha and Assembly constituency. (3) Issues the election SCHEDULE — dates for nomination, scrutiny, withdrawal, polling, counting. (4) Recognises POLITICAL PARTIES as national or state parties and allots unique ELECTION SYMBOLS. Parties may lose recognition if they fail to secure minimum vote share. (5) Enforces the MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT — a set of rules binding on all candidates and parties from the moment elections are announced until results are declared. ADDITIONAL POWERS: Can countermand (cancel) elections if they are not conducted fairly. Can request security forces from the central government for election duty. Monitors campaign expenditure of candidates to prevent money power influencing elections.

Practice — Democracy and Elections

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