Election Commission (Indian Polity and Governance)

Total Questions: 55

1. The Constitution of India provides for an Election Commission under Article - [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014, 2016, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010, 2017]

Correct Answer: (d) 324
Solution:Constitutional provisions:
  • Article 324 empowers the ECI to supervise, direct, and control the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to Parliament and state legislatures.
  • Article 325 ensures no one is excluded from the electoral rolls based on religion, race, caste, or sex.
  • Article 326 establishes adult suffrage (voting rights for all citizens aged 18 and above) as the basis for elections.
  • Article 327 allows Parliament to make laws regarding elections to Parliament and state legislatures.
  • Article 328 empowers state legislatures to make provisions related to elections within the state.
  • Article 329 prohibits judicial interference in electoral matters.

2. Which Article in the Indian Constitution is related with the establishment of the Election Commission of India? [66th B.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

Correct Answer: (a) Article 324
Solution:Constitutional provisions:
  • Article 324 empowers the ECI to supervise, direct, and control the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to Parliament and state legislatures.
  • Article 325 ensures no one is excluded from the electoral rolls based on religion, race, caste, or sex.
  • Article 326 establishes adult suffrage (voting rights for all citizens aged 18 and above) as the basis for elections.
  • Article 327 allows Parliament to make laws regarding elections to Parliament and state legislatures.
  • Article 328 empowers state legislatures to make provisions related to elections within the state.
  • Article 329 prohibits judicial interference in electoral matters.

3. The Chief Election Commissioner of India is appointed by- [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2010 Uttarakhand U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007]

Correct Answer: (c) President
Solution:According to Article 324(2), the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners of India are appointed by the President under the law made by the Parliament.
  • Structure: Initially, ECI had only one member, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). In 1989, due to the reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18, two additional Election Commissioners were appointed, making it a three-member body.
  • Appointments: The President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Election Commissioners. They serve for a term not exceeding six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.

4. Consider the following statements with reference to India: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2002]

  1. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners enjoy equal powers but receive unequal salaries.
  2. The Chief Election Commissioner is entitled to the same salary as is provided to a Judge of the Supreme Court.
  3. The Chief Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
  4. The term of office of the Election Commissioner is five years from the date he assumes his office or till the day he attains the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier.

Which of these statements are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3
Solution:The powers, salaries and allowances of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are equal; they are entitled to the same salary as is provided to a Judge of the Supreme Court. The term of the Chief Election Commissioner is 6 years or upto the age of 65 years (whichever is earlier) and they may be removed in the same manner as provided for the Judges of the Supreme Court. Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

5. Consider the following statements: [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre), 2021]

(i) The Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India is paid a salary equal to the salary of the Judge of the Supreme Court.

(ii) The term of Chief Election Commissioner of India shall be for a period of 6 years from the date of assuming office or till the age of 65 years whichever comes first.

(iii) An Election Commissioner may at any time by writing under his hand addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, resign his office.

Which statements are correct?

Correct Answer: (b) (i) and (ii)
Solution:The Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India is paid a salary equal to the salary of the Judge of the Supreme Court. The term of Chief Election Commissioner of India shall be for a period of 6 years from the date of assuming office or till age of 65 years whichever comes first. Chief Election Commissioner or Election Commissioner may at any time by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his from office.

6. Consider the following statements: [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

(i) The Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India is paid the salary equal to the salary of the Judge of the Supreme Court.

(ii) The term of Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India shall be for a period of 6 years from the date of assuming office or till the age of 65 years, whichever comes first.

(iii) An Election Commissioner may, at anytime, by writing under his hand addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, resign his office.

Choose the correct statement.

Correct Answer: (a) (i) and (ii)
Solution:The Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India is paid a salary equal to the salary of the Judge of the Supreme Court. The term of Chief Election Commissioner of India shall be for a period of 6 years from the date of assuming office or till age of 65 years whichever comes first. Chief Election Commissioner or Election Commissioner may at any time by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his from office.

7. What is the tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner of India? [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2012 Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

Correct Answer: (c) Six years or till the age of 65 years whichever is earlier
Solution:The Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India is paid a salary equal to the salary of the Judge of the Supreme Court. The term of Chief Election Commissioner of India shall be for a period of 6 years from the date of assuming office or till age of 65 years whichever comes first. Chief Election Commissioner or Election Commissioner may at any time by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his from office.

8. The status of the Chief Election Commissioner of India is equal to the - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above
Solution:According to mha.nic.in/Hindi/top Table of precedence, the Chief Justice of India and Speaker of Lok Sabha is ranked 6ª, Governor of a State is ranked 4th, Speaker of Legislative Assembly of State is ranked 14th. The status of Chief Election Commissioner of India is ranked at 9(A) with Chairperson of Union Public Service Commission and Auditor General of India which is not given in the options. Thus, none of the given answers is correct.

9. Given below are two statements: [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

Assertion (A): Powers for conducting elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures in a free and fair manner have been given to an independent body i.e. the Election Commission.

Reason (R) : Power of removal of Election Commissioners is with the executive.

In the context of above, which one of the following is correct?

Code:

 

Correct Answer: (b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not a correct explanation of (A).
Solution:Article 324 of the Constitution provides superintendence, direction, and control of the Parliament and State Legislature elections to be vested in an Election Commission. Thus assertion (A) is correct. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from his post in like manner and on the like grounds as provided for removal of Judges from the Supreme Court. The other members can be removed by the President in consultation with the Chief Election Commissioner. Thus, reason (R) is also correct, but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

10. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office by - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2002, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]

Correct Answer: (b) The same procedure which applies in case of removal of Supreme Court Judges.
Solution:Article 324 of the Constitution provides superintendence, direction, and control of the Parliament and State Legislature elections to be vested in an Election Commission. Thus assertion (A) is correct. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from his post in like manner and on the like grounds as provided for removal of Judges from the Supreme Court. The other members can be removed by the President in consultation with the Chief Election Commissioner. Thus, reason (R) is also correct, but reason (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).