Election Commission of India

(a) Election Commission is responsible for conducting election to both the Houses of Indian Parliament and all State Legislatures and for the office of President and Vice-President.

(b) It is also responsible for the preparation, updation and maintenance of lists of voters.

(c) It delimits constituencies for election to the Parliament and the State Legislatures, fixes the election programme and settles election disputes.

(d) It performs many other functions related to election.

I. Composition of Election Commission of India.

(a) The Constitution of India makes required provisions for an Election Commission of India.

(b) The architects (or the framers) of the Indian Constitution gave special importance to its independence so that it could conduct fair and free elections in future.

(c) The present day Election Commission of India consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and such other Election Commissioners as may be decided by the President from time to time.

(d) Ever since the first Chief Election Commissioner was appointed in 1950, there was no other Election Commissioner till 1989. The Chief Election Commissioner was assisted by a larger number of officials.

(e) The Election Commission became a multi-member body on 16th October 1989 when the President appointed two more Election Commissioners. The Senior of the two Election Commissioners is appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner.

II. Tenure and Removal of the Election Commission of India.

(a) Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are appointed for a term of six years or till the age of 65 whichever is earlier.

(b) The Chief Election Commissioner cannot be removed from office, except on the grounds and the manner in which the Supreme Court Judges can be removed.

(c) Since the other Election Commissioners and the Regional Election Commissioners work under the Chief Commissioner, they may be removed by the President on his recommendations.

Comment:

(a) In a democratic form of the government it is very important that Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners should be free from all political interferences. Therefore, even if they are appointed by the President of India, they cannot (I think it is right situation, he should not be) removed by him.

(b) No changes can be brought in the conditions of service and the tenure of office after their appointment.