Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the powers of the Election Commission of India:
1. It is not answerable to the government for its actions.
2. It takes decisions on every aspect of the conduct of elections in India.
3. Both the government and the Election Commission simultaneously supervises and controls officers working on election duty.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Exp) Option b is the correct answer
Article 324 provides for the Election Commission of India. It provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of President of India and the office of Vice-President of India shall be vested in the election commission.
Statement 1 is correct. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President of India. But once appointed, the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commission is not answerable to the President or the government. Even if the ruling party or the government does not like what the Commission does, it is difficult for it to remove the CEC. He cannot be removed from his office except in same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.
Statement 2 is correct. EC takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections from the announcement of elections to the declaration of results. Statement 3 is incorrect. When on election duty, government officers work only under the control of the EC and not the government.
