- The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India.
- Election Management
- Preparing Electoral Roll
- Party Recognition
- Declaring Model Code of Conduct
- The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.
- Under Article 324, which is part of Part XV (Article 324-329) of the Constitution.
- At present, it is a multi-member body which consists of chief election commissioner and two election commissioners
- Originally the commission had only one election commissioner but after the Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989, it was made a multi-member body.
Provisions of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023
- Qualifications
- be holding or have held a post equivalent to Secretary to the Government of India.
- possess integrity and experience in managing and conducting elections.
- Search Committee: Composition
- Headed by the Minister of Law and Justice.
- Includes two members (rank of Secretary or higher)
- Select Committee: Composition
- Prime Minister (Chairperson).
- Leader of the Opposition in the House of the People (Member).
- Union Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Prime Minister (Member)
- Appointment: By the President based on the recommendation of the Selection Committee
- Tenure: 6 years or until 65 years of age, whichever is earlier
- Re-appointment is not allowed.
- Salary and Benefits: Salary is equivalent to that of a Supreme Court Judge.
- Resignation: CEC or EC, can resign by writing to the President.
- Removal
- CEC: Can be removed like a Supreme Court Judge.
- ECs: Require the recommendation of the CEC for removal.
- Legal Protection: Protected from civil or criminal proceedings for acts or words spoken in official capacity.
Source: The Indian Express