Q. With reference to the Election commissions of India/state, consider the following statements:
1. Under Special Circumstances, the Election Commission of India may conduct the elections to panchayats and municipalities.
2. The State Election Commissions work under the overall supervision of the Election Commission of India.
3. The Chief Election Commissioner enjoys the security of the tenure.
How many statements given above are correct?
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is incorrect. The election commission is not concerned with the elections to panchayats and municipalities in the states. For this, the Constitution of India provides for a separate State Election Commission.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The Election Commission is an all-India body to ensure free and fair elections in the country. The Constitution of India provides for a separate State Election Commission which does not work under the overall supervision of the Election Commission of India. Although the two authorities have a similar mandate, they are independent of each other and draw powers from different laws.
Statement 3 is correct. The Chief Election Commissioner is provided with security of the tenure. He cannot be removed from his office except in same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court. Though other Election Commissioners can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
| Important Tips The Election Commission is a permanent and an independent body established by the Constitution of India directly to ensure free and fair elections in the country. Article 324 of the Constitution 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. |
