The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority that administers Union and State election processes in India. It is also responsible for administeringelections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.
The authority to direct and control the entire process for conduct of elections has been vested in the Election Commission of India by the Constitution of India.
Established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950, the Commission celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2001.
Originally the commission had only a Chief Election Commissioner. It currently consists of Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
The Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners are appointed by the President. They have tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Their salary and perks are at par with to Judges of the Supreme Court of India. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through impeachment by Parliament.
Political parties are registered with the Election Commission under the law. The Commission ensures inner party democracy in their functioning by insisting upon them to hold their organizational elections at periodic intervals. The Commission, as a part of its quasi-judicial jurisdiction, also settles disputes between the splinter groups of such recognised parties.
Election Commission ensures a level playing field for the political parties in election fray, through strict observance by them of a Model Code of Conduct evolved with the consensus of political parties.
Scheme for use of State owned Electronic Media for broadcast/telecast by Political parties, checking criminalisation of politics, computerisation of electoral rolls, providing electors with Identity Cards, simplifying the procedure for maintenance of accounts and filling of the same by candidates, are several other initiatives taken by the commission in the recent past.
