Composition of election commission in detail?
The Election Commission is an independent constitutional authority responsible for conducting free and fair elections in India. It is composed of a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners (ECs). The composition of the Election Commission is detailed below:
1. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC):
- The CEC is appointed by the President of India and holds office for a term of six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
- The CEC is responsible for the overall supervision, direction, and control of the entire electoral process.
- The CEC acts as the spokesperson of the Election Commission and represents it in all matters related to elections.
2. Election Commissioners (ECs):
- The ECs are also appointed by the President of India and hold office for a term of six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
- The ECs assist the CEC in various election-related activities and share the workload.
- The ECs work closely with the CEC in decision-making, policy formulation, and implementation of electoral reforms.
3. Secretariat:
- The Election Commission is supported by a Secretariat, which consists of various officers and staff members.
- The Secretariat helps in the day-to-day functioning of the Election Commission and provides administrative support.
4. Election Commission's Powers and Functions:
- The Election Commission has the power to conduct, supervise, and control the entire process of elections, including the preparation of electoral rolls, delimitation of constituencies, and the conduct of polls.
- It ensures that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner, and takes measures to prevent electoral malpractices, corruption, and misuse of power.
- The Election Commission also has the authority to enforce the Model Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines for political parties and candidates to ensure a level playing field during elections.
- It has the power to disqualify candidates if they violate electoral laws or engage in corrupt practices.
In conclusion, the Election Commission is composed of a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners who are responsible for conducting free and fair elections in India. They are appointed by the President and serve for a fixed term. The Election Commission is supported by a Secretariat and has the power to supervise and control the entire electoral process.