Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.
  2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.
  3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • 1 and 2 only
  • 2 only
  • 2 and 3 only
  • 3 only

Answer: (d) 3 only

Election commission:
  • The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional body responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India.
    • The Election Commission was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950.
  • The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.
  • Article 324 to 329 of the constitution deals with powers, function, tenure, eligibility, etc of the commission and the member.
  • The election commission has three election commissioners, one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
    • Originally the commission had only a Chief Election Commissioner. It currently consists of Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
    • For the first time two additional Commissioners were appointed on 16th October 1989 but they had a very short tenure till 1st January 1990. Later, on 1st October 1993 two additional Election Commissioners were appointed. The concept of multi-member Commission has been in operation since then, with decision making power by majority vote.
  • The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
  • They have a fixed tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
  • They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
  • The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through a process of removal similar to that of a Supreme Court judge for by Parliament
  • Election commission decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 
  • It also decides the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties.
  • It prepares electoral roll, issues Electronic Photo Identity Card (EPIC).
  • It grants recognition to political parties & allots election symbols to them along with settling disputes related to it.
  • It issues the Model Code of Conduct in the election for political parties and candidates.
  • It sets limits of campaign expenditure per candidate to all the political parties.