The Election Commission of India (ECI) was established in 1950 according to the constitution. It is currently composed of a Chief Election Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners. The ECI oversees elections and ensures they are free and fair. It performs administrative functions like maintaining voter rolls and recognizing political parties. It also has quasi-judicial powers to settle electoral disputes and can disqualify candidates. Additionally, the ECI advises the president on matters relating to elections and the disqualification of elected representatives. The ECI plays a crucial role in upholding democratic values in India and strengthening the electoral system.

1. Role of Election Commission
of India
Rajiv Kumar - CEC Anup Chandra
Pandey - EC
Arun Goel - EC

2. History of the Commission
• The Election Commission of India (EC) was established on 25 January 1950 in
accordance with constitutional provisions (Article 324).
• Sukumar Sen (2 January 1898 – 13 May 1963) was an Indian civil servant who was the
first Chief Election Commissioner of India, serving from 21 March 1950 to 19 December
1958.
• General elections were held in India between 25 October 1951 and 21 February 1952.
They were the first elections to the Lok Sabha after independence in August 1947.
• Till 1989, the election commission was a single-member body consisting of only the
Chief Election Commissioner when two more election commissioners were appointed
functioning as a multi-member body.
• Again between 1990 and 1993 the election commission was a single-member body.
Presently the Election Commission has a chief Election commissioner and two other
election commissioners.
• The commission is assisted by deputy election commissioners and at the state level
assisted by the chief electoral officer appointed by the commission with tenure system.

3. Composition of ECI
• A chief election commissioner and Other election commissioners (the number
is to be decided by the President from time to time) Article 324.
• Regional commissioners to be appointed by the President(after consultation
with the election commission) as he may consider necessary to assist the
Election Commission.
• The conditions of service and tenure of office of the election commissioners
and the regional commissioners shall be determined by the President.

4. Structure and Tenure
• The commission consists of one chief election commissioner and two election
commissioners appointed by the President.
• Tenure six years or up to the age of 65 years whichever is earlier.
• The chief election commissioner and two other election commissioners
have equal powers and receive equal salaries, allowances and other
perks similar to those of a judge of the supreme court.
• The secretariat of the commission is located in New Delhi.

5. Removal of Chief Election Commissioner
• The constitution provides that the Chief election commissioner cannot be
removed from his office except in the like manner and grounds as a judge of
the supreme court.(removed by the president based on a resolution to that
effect passed by a special majority of both the houses on grounds of proved
misbehavior or incapacity).
• Other election commissioners or regional commissioners can be removed
from the office only on the recommendation of the Chief Election
Commissioner.

6. Functions of Election Commission
Administrative functions
• Determine territorial areas of electoral constituencies based on the delimitation
commission act.
• It prepares and revise electoral rolls and to register all eligible voters.
• It grants recognition to political parties and allot election symbols to them.
• Notify the dates and schedules of elections and scrutinize nomination papers.
• Supervise machinery of elections throughout the county to ensure free and fair
elections.
• It determines the Code of Conduct and cancels polls in the event of booth capturing
and other irregularities.

7. Quasi – Judicial functions
•It has the power to settle disputes related to recognition granted to
political parties.
•It is entitled to act as a court for matters relating to disputes arising out of
the election symbol to political parties.
•It also has the power to disqualify a contender who failed to lodge an
account of his election expenses within a given time.

8. Advisory function
• It advises the President and the Governor
on matters relating to disqualification of
members of parliament and the state
legislature.
• To Advise the president whether the
elections can be held in a state under the
President's rule to extend the period of
emergency after one year.
Satyabrata Sahoo

9. Significance of Election Commission
• It upholds values enshrined in the Constitution viz, equality, impartiality,
equity.
• It supervises and controls electoral Governance.
• VVPAT was introduced with EVM at every polling station to enhance
transparency.
• It facilitates awareness about the electoral procedure and functioning to
voters, political parties, and candidates thereby strengthening the electoral
system of the country.
VVPAT – Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail EVM – Electronic Voting Machine

10. Thank you