Part 15 - Elections

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="Tit-bits">Tit-bits</h2>

 

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Part 15. Elections - Articles
324-329</li>
</ul>

 

<h3 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:12.0pt;color:#5B9BD5'
lang=en-US id="Overview">Overview</h3>

 

<div style='direction:ltr'>

<table border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 valign=top style='direction:ltr;
border-collapse:collapse;border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:
1pt' title="" summary="">
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:1.1513in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Constitutional
Office
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:2.4458in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Election
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:.902in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Appointed
By
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:1.1187in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Tenure
and security
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:.959in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Removed
By
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:1.0194in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Election
disputes
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:2.2645in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Removal
Process
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:.5375in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1319in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
President
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.4458in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Only
Elected members of Parliament and State assemblies
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.8833in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
CJI
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1187in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
5 years
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.9784in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Parliament
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.0194in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
SC
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.2645in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Both Nominated and elected
members of Parliament
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.6986in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Secret
ballot
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1319in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Vice
President
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.4458in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Both
Elected and nominated members of Parliament
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.8833in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
President
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1187in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
5 years
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.9784in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Parliament
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.0194in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
SC
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.2645in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Absolute
majority of RS and then LS
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.6986in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Secret
ballot
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1319in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
LS
Members
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.4458in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Direct
election
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.8833in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1187in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.959in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.0194in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
President
Speaker
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.2645in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.6986in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
EVM
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1319in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
RS
Members
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.4458in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Indirect.
Elected by the MLAs 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.8833in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1187in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 6 years
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.959in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.0194in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
President
Speaker
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.2645in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:.6986in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Open
ballot
</td>
</tr>
</table>

</div>

 

 

<h3 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:12.0pt;color:#5B9BD5'
lang=en-US id="Whoconductselections">Who conducts elections</h3>

 

<div style='direction:ltr'>

<table border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 valign=top style='direction:ltr;
border-collapse:collapse;border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:
1pt;margin-left:.3333in' title="" summary="">
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:4.4861in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Elections
for
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:2.193in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Conducted
by
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:4.5055in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
President,
Vice President, LS, RS, State Assembly, State Council 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.1736in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Central
Election Commission
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:4.4861in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Panchayats,
Municipalities
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.193in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
State
Election Commission
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:4.4861in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Cooperatives
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.2625in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
State
legislature will determine
</td>
</tr>
</table>

</div>

 

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>State Election Commissions
are independent of Central Election Commission/Election Commission of
India</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>No clear cut provision
regarding the submission of reports by State Election Commission</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>So if in a Question says
SEC submits report to Central Election Commission/President, it is wrong</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>

 

 

<h3 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:12.0pt;color:#5B9BD5'
lang=en-US id="Whoresolveselectiondisputes">Who resolves election disputes</h3>

<div style='direction:ltr'>

<table border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 valign=top style='direction:ltr;
border-collapse:collapse;border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:
1pt;margin-left:.3333in' title="" summary="">
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:2.0673in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Election
disputes of
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:6.5875in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Resolved
by
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.0673in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
President,
Vice president
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.5875in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Supreme
court
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.0673in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
LS RS 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.6569in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Disqualification
on basis of Constitution and RP Act 1951 - President on recommendation of CEC
Disqualification
on basis of Anti defection law - Presiding officer of LS, RS
Election disputes related to Members of Parliament and state legislature by High Court
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.0868in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
State
Assembly and Council
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.6375in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Disqualification
on basis of Constitution and RP Act 1951 - Governor on recommendation of CEC
Disqualification
on basis of Anti defection law - Presiding officer of Assembly, Council
Election disputes related to Members of Parliament and state legislature by High Court
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.0673in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
panchayats,
municipalities
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.5875in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
State
legislature will determine
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:2.0673in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Cooperatives
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.5875in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
State
legislature will determine
</td>
</tr>
</table>

</div>

 

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Election
petitions are
trailable only by High Court. Appeals to SC. Election petitions are not
ordinary civil suit but treated as a contest in which whole constituency
is involved. While, appeals against orders of Electoral Registration
Officers can be done in District Magistrate or ADM. Further appeal lies to
Chief Electoral Officer </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Election Petitions for
elections to LS/State assemblies</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Any Elector/Candidate can file election petitions</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Election Petitions are tried by respective High Courts</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>If upheld, can even lead to
restaging of election in that constituency</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>It is not an ordinary civil
suit and it is treated as a contest in which whole constituency is
involved</li>
</ul>
</ul>

 

 

<h3 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:12.0pt;color:#5B9BD5'
lang=en-US id="Electionofficers">Election officers</h3>

 

<div style='direction:ltr'>

<table border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 valign=top style='direction:ltr;
border-collapse:collapse;border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:
1pt;margin-left:.3333in' title="" summary="">
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:1.6034in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Officer
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:1.1562in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Represent
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:3.1256in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Appointed
by
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
background-color:yellow;vertical-align:top;width:3.8173in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Duties
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.6034in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Chief
Electoral Officer
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1562in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
For a
state
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.1256in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
ECI
designates in
consultation with State Govt
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.9284in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Supervise
election work in state subject to overall superintendence and direction of
ECI
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.6034in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
District
Election Officer
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1562in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
For a
district
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.1256in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Chief
Electoral Officer nominates in consultation with State Govt
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.8173in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Supervise
election work in district
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.6034in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Electoral
Registration Officer
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1562in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Constituency
level
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.1256in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 </sp
an>ECI
designates in consultation with State Govt
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.8173in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Preparation
of electoral rolls
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.6034in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Returning
Officer
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1562in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Constituency
level
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.1256in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 </sp
an>ECI
designates in consultation with State Govt
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.9284in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Conduct
of elections in constituency and result
declaration
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.6034in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Presiding
Officers
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1562in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.1256in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
District
Election Officer appoints 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.8173in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Conducts
poll at polling station
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.6034in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Polling
officers
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1562in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.1256in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
District
Election Officer appoints 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.8173in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Conducts
poll at polling station
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.6034in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Observers
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:1.1562in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.1256in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
ECI
nominates 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.8173in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Report
to commission directly
</td>
</tr>
</table>

</div>

 

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Regional
Commissioners - 324(4)</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Before each general election
to the House of the People and to the Legislative Assembly of each State,
and before the first general election and thereafter before each biennial
election to the Legislative Council of each State having such Council,
the President may also appoint after consultation with the Election
Commission such Regional Commissioners as he may consider necessary to
assist the Election Commission in the performance of the functions conferred on the
Commission by clause ( 1 )</li>
</ul>
</ul>

 

 

 

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Political parties speeches
for conservation of language does not amount to corrupt practice under
Representation of People Act 1951</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Three month time limit for
the specified authorities to submit the case of persons found guilty of
corrupt practice to President</li>
<li style='color:#000000;background:#00CCFF;mso-highlight:#00CCFF;margin-top:
0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US><img
width=16 height=16 alt=Tricky src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/760013_06c2a583c0c34b17b47620d978f66ccf~mv2.png"> Political
parties cannot issue whips to MLAs in case of election of members to
Rajyasabha</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Rajyasabha
election - open ballot [Pres
ident
and Vice president - secret ballot] </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>In Rajya Sabha polls, the MLAs have to show their ballot paper to an authorised party agent before putting it in ballot box.</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>While, in case of
independent MLAs, they do not have to show their votes to anyone at all</li>
</ul>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Both Parliament & State
legislature empowered to constitute tribunals for election disputes. So
far no such tribunal constituted</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Only Parliament is empowered
to enact a law that provides qualification and service conditions of CEC.
No such law enacted</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Provisions related to
preparation of electoral rolls can be made both by Parliament and state
legislature</li>
<li style='color:#000000;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'
lang=en-US><img width=16
height=16 alt=Tricky src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/760013_06c2a583c0c34b17b47620d978f66ccf~mv2.png"> State legislature can even
make provisions w.r.t to matters relating to elections to state
legislatures. However, State legislature can only supplement the
provisions of Parliament in this regard but cannot override it.</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Bye elections to a
constituency need not be conducted if the
remainder of the term of member whose vacancy is to be filled is less than
one year</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Maximum no. of.
constituencies that can be contested by the same candidate is 2</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Prisoners does not have right
to vote as per Representation of People Act 1951</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>But people under preventive
detention has right to vote</li>
</ul>
</ul>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>In case of difference of
opinion amongst the Chief Election Commissioner and/or two other election
commissioners, the matter is decided by the Commission by majority. (no supremacy of CEC)</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Referendum - Proposed
legislation is referred to electorate for direct settlement</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Plebiscite - Obtaining
opinion of people on any important issue</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Initiative - People can propose bill for enactment
</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Recall - Voter can remove
representative if he failed to discharge duties</li>
</ul>

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt' lang=en-US id="dummy"> </h2>

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt' lang=en-US id="dummy"> </h2>

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="RepresentationofPeopleAct(RPA)1950">Representation of People Act (RPA) 1950</h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>RPA 1950 provides the
following</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='color:#000000;background:#00CCFF;mso-highlight:#00CCFF;margin-top:
0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US><img
width=16 height=16 alt=Tricky src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/760013_06c2a583c0c34b17b47620d978f66ccf~mv2.png"> Qualification of voters</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Electoral rolls</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Delimitation of
constituencies</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Allocation of seats in
Parliament and state legislatures</li>
</ul>
</ul>

 

 

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="RepresentationofPeopleAct(RPA)1951">Representation of People Act (RPA) 1951</h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>RPA 1951 provides the
following</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Actual conduct of elections </li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Notification,
administrative machinery </li>
</ul>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Poll</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Election offences</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Election disputes</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Byelections</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Registration
of political parties </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Rules for
mode of conduct of elections</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Qualification
and disqualification of members of legislature </li>
</ul>
<li style='color:#000000;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'><img
width=16 height=16
alt="Imp Prelims" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/760013_fab708a3e3f249ad85c73c8524bc0ea1~mv2.png"> Section
11 allows ECI to reduce or remove the
disqualification attached to a conviction</li>
</ul>

 

 

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Representation of Peoples Act
empowers EC to cancel polls only if there is an evidence of booth-capturing
or use of muscle power.</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Section 123(3) - Canvassing on the ground of religion, race, caste, community is a
corrupt electoral practice</li>
</ul>

"The appeal by a candidate or his agent or by any other person
with the consent of a candidate or his
election agent to vote or refrain from voting for any person on the ground of
his religion, race, caste, community....” is a corrupt electoral practic


 

Recent SC judgements held that even the voter is included in the
above list "his"

 

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Arguments for seeking votes in the name of religion,
caste, race</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>The Constitution recognises
the position of religion, caste, language and gender in the social life
of the nation. Some social groups faced with histories of discrimination
and injustice. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>If the election candidate is
prohibited from speaking of the legitimate concerns of citizens that
the injustices faced by them on the basis of traits having an origin in
religion, race, caste, community or language, it would reduce democracy
to an abstraction [centuries of structural and institutional
discrimination].</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Social mobilisation is a
powerful instrument of bringing marginalised groups into the mainstream.
With-out addressing them, grave injustice will be caused to them</li>
</ul>
</ul>

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="dummy"> </h2>

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="DelimitationCommission">Delimitation Commission</h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Statutory
body established
for delimiting constituencies based on population </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>As per Article 82, Parliament
is empowered to enact Delimitation Act after every census under which
Delimitation Commission is constituted </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Commission
orders have a force of law and cannot be challenged in the courts</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Its reports are laid before Upper
House and the
state legislative assembly concerned, but changes/modifications are not
possible by
them. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Delimitation in J&K is
done under state Constitution</li>
</ul>

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:"Nirmala UI";font-size:11.0pt' lang=en-US id="dummy"> </h2>

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="Electoralbonds">Electoral bonds</h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Govt introduced electoral
bonds for donors to purchase to fund political parties</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Bond is a debt
security</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Electoral bonds
make the donors anonymous but it will not make electoral funding
transparent</li>
</ul>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle;color:#404040'
lang=en-US>Features</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle;color:#404040'
lang=en-US>Electoral
Bond would be a bearer instrument in the nature of a Promissory Note and
an interest free banking instrument</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle;color:#404040'
lang=en-US>A citizen of India
or a body incorporated in India will be
eligible to purchase the bond. [only from SBI]</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle;color:#404040'>A person
being an individual can buy Electoral Bonds, either singly or jointly with other
individuals.</li>
</ul>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Electoral Bond (s) would be
issued/purchased for any value, in multiples of Rs.1,000, Rs.10,000,
Rs.1,00,000, Rs.10,00,000 and Rs.1,00,00,000 from the Specified Branches
of the State Bank of India (SBI).</li>
<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Max 1 crore denomination </li>
<li style='color:#000000;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'><img
width=16 height=16
alt="Fact & Figure"> Electoral bonds with denomination of Rs 1 crore
accounted for more than 91 per cent of the amount raised. </li>
</ul>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Electoral bonds will not
carry the name of payee</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Electoral Bonds would have a
life
of only 15 days
during which it can be used for making donation only to the political parties registered under section 29A of the
Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951 and which secured not less than one per cent of the votes polled in the last general election to the House of the People
or a Legislative Assembly.</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Electoral Bonds under the
Scheme shall be available for purchase for a period of 10 days each in
the months of January, April, July and October, as may be specified by
the Central Government. An additional period of 30 days shall be
specified by the Central Government in the year of the General election
to the House of People</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>The Electoral Bond(s) shall
be encashed by an eligible political party only through a designated bank
account with the authorised bank within 15 days </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Registered political parties
and those received not less than 1 percent of votes in last Loksabha and
assembly election are eligible to be received </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Political parties need to
file returns to EC of the quantum of money received through electoral
bonds</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Donors will be eligible for tax
deduction
while parties will be eligi
ble for
exemption
</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>The Electoral Bonds have
some built in security features to eliminate chances of forgery or
presentation of fake bonds. These include a random
serial number invisible to the naked eye.</li>
</ul>
</ul>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'>It is not available for trading on stock exchanges and cannot be
used as collateral for loans. It is available only in physical form.</li>
</ul>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>ECI objections</li>
<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.75in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>This scheme would
enable the creation of
shell companies for the sole purpose of making political
donations and no other business</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>It would compromise
transparency </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Foreign influence on Indian
elections</li>
<ul type=square style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Unchecked foreign funding of political parties, leading
to foreign influence on India’s policy
aking</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>New foreign regulations
allows FII to invest in Govt bonds </li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="ModelCodeofConduct">Model Code of Conduct</h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>It is not statutory</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>It is a set of guidelines laid down by the Election Commission to govern the conduct of
political parties and candidates in the run-up to an election.</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Do's and Don’ts f
elections</li>
</ul>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Level playing field for all
political parties, to keep the campaign fair and healthy, avoid clashes
and conflicts between parties, and ensure peace and order.</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Its main aim is to ensure
that the ruling party, either at the Centre or in the states, does not
misuse its official position to gain an unfair advantage in an election.</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>The Model Code of Conduct
comes into force the moment on the announcement of
the poll schedule  and remains in force till the results are declared.</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>It is also applicable to
a “caretaker” government on premature dissolution
of a State Assembly, </li>
</ul>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>It applies to all political
parties, their candidates and polling agents, the government in power, and
all government employees.</li>
</ul>

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="CanECpostponeorcountermandpolls?">Can EC postpone or countermand polls ?</h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Under Article 324 of constitution, EC is provided with extraordinary powers that should be used sparingly</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Representation of Peoples Act
empowers EC to cancel polls only if there is an evidence of booth-capturing
or use of muscle power.</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>But no provision to postpone elections on the
grounds of money power. EC resort to Artic
le 324
to countermand in extraordinary cases</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Election Commission of India
sought amendment to RPA to include specific powers to postpone or
countermand polls on the grounds of use of money power</li>
</ul>

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="ReformCommittees">Reform Committees</h2>

<div style='direction:ltr'>

<table border=1 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 valign=top style='direction:ltr;
border-collapse:collapse;border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:
1pt' title="" summary="">
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.0791in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
1990
Dinesh Goswami Committee
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.2729in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Electoral
Reforms
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.0791in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
1993 Vohra Committee
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.2729in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Nexus
b/w Crime and politics
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.0791in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
1998
Indrajit Gupta Committee
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.2729in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
State
funding of elections
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.0791in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
1999
Law Commission of India 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.3423in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Report
on reform of electoral laws
Internal
democracy, financial transparency and accountability in the working of the
political parties.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.0791in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
2000-02
National Commission to review working of constitution 
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.2729in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
MN
Venkatachaliah
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.0791in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
2004
ECI
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.2729in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Proposed
Electoral reforms
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.0791in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
2007
Second ARC report
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.2729in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Report
of Ethics in Governance
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:3.0791in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
2010 Tankha Committee
</td>
<td style='border-style:solid;border-color:#A3A3A3;border-width:1pt;
vertical-align:top;width:6.2729in;padding:2.0pt 3.0pt 2.0pt 3.0pt'>
Election
laws and electoral reforms
</td>
</tr>
</table>

</div>

 

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="ECCompositionIssues">EC Composition Issues</h2>

 

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>As per Article 324(2), </li>
</ul>

The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election
Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the
President may from time to time fix and the appointment of the Chief Election
Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf by Parliament,
be made by the President

 

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>However, until now, no law
has been made by Parliament leaving gaps which leaves the appointment of
such a crucial post solely to the executives</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Recently, Supreme Court had
asked the centre why no enabling law has yet been framed. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Gaps are</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>The constitution has not
prescribed the qualifications (legal, educational, administrative, or judicial) of
the members of election commission. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>The constitution has not
debarred the retiring Election commissioner from any further appointment
by the government.
</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>There is also no clarity
regarding the power division between the Chief Election Commissioner and
other Election Commissioners. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>The CEC and the Election
Commissioners enjoy the same decision-making powers which are suggestive
of the fact that their powers are at par with each other. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Although the provision to
Article 324 (5) of the Constitution safeguards the CEC from arbitrary
removal, the same provision is silent about the procedure for
removal of the two EC. It only provides that they cannot be removed from office except
on the recommendation of the CEC.</li>
</ul>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Decision making by majority</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Service conditions and tenure
of Election Commissioners (not CEC - 6 years) and regional commissioners
is decided by President </li>
</ul>

 

 

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="NationalPartyStatus">National Party Status </h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='color:#000000;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'
lang=en-US><img width=16
height=16 alt="Imp Prelims" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/760013_fab708a3e3f249ad85c73c8524bc0ea1~mv2.png"> Under the revised rules of EC, a party’s performa
ce over two consecutive Lok Sabha or assembly
elections is considered, as opposed to one previously, for granting recognition
as a national party. 
</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Privileges of National
Parties · </li
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Unique symbol · </spa
n></li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Free airtime on public
broadcasters AIR and Doordarshan during the Lok Sabha elections. · </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Two free copies of electoral
rolls </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Their candidates need only
one proposer to file their nomination papers. ·</li
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Deploy 40 star campaigners
whose expenditure is not clubbed with the election expenses of an
individual candidate.</li>
</ul>
<li style='color:#000000;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'
lang=en-US><img width=16
height=16 alt=Byheart src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/760013_bce95a45add849f9b50120d225499a56~mv2.png"> Criteria to be National Party </li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>at least six
percent(6%) of
the valid votes polled in any four or more states, at a general election to
the House of the People or, to the State Legislative Assembly; and in addition, it wins at least four seats in the House of
the People from any State or States</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>OR It wins at least
two percent (2%) seats in the
House of the People (i.e., 11 seats in the existing House having 543 members), and
these members are elected from at least three different States. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>OR A party has got recognition
as a state party in at least four states.</li>
</ul>
<li style='color:#000000;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'
lang=en-US><img width=16
height=16 alt=Byheart src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/760013_bce95a45add849f9b50120d225499a56~mv2.png"> Criteria to be State party</li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US> it secures at least six percent (
6%) of
the valid votes polled in the State at a general election, either to the
House of the People or to the Legislative Assembly of the State
concerned; and 
in
addition, it wins at least two seats in the Legislative Assembly of the
State concerned (OR 1 Lok Sabha seat)</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>OR it wins at least three
percent (3%) of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of
the State, or at least three seats in the Assembly, whichever
is more.</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>OR eight
percent of the valid votes polled in the state at a General elections to
Lok Sabha /Assembly </li>
</ul>
</ul>

 

<h3 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:12.0pt;color:#5B9BD5'
lang=en-US id="BenefitsreceivedbyrecognisedpoliticalpartiesrecognisedbyEC">Benefits received by recognised political parties recognised by EC</h3>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Exclusive allocation of
election symbols. </li>
<ul type=circle style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Every national party is
allotted a symbol exclusively reserved for its use throughout the country. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Similarly, every state
party is
allotted a symbol exclusively reserved for its use in the state or
states in which it is so recognised. </li>
</ul>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Access to electoral rolls.</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Time for political broadcast
on state owned television and radio-stations.</li>
</ul>

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt' lang=en-US id="dummy"> </h2>

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="RegisterandDeregisterofpoliticalparties">Register and De register of political parties</h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>EC has the mandate to
register a political party, while it lacks power under electoral laws
to deregister a political party. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Have power to delist them</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>There are over 1,780
registered, but unrecognised political parties in the country</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Section 29A of Representation
of People’s Act, 1951, lays down various provisions in regards to t
registration and recognition of political parties in India</li>
</ul>

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="dummy"> </h2>

 

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="Totalizermachine">Totalizer machine</h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>ECI seeks to
introduce totaliser machines for counting of votes. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'>It is an interface, to which
a cluster of EVMs can be connected simultaneously and the consolidated
result of the group of EVMs can be obtained without disclosing the votes
polled by a candidate polling-station-wise</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Totalizer machine mixes votes
from various booths for counting. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'>In the current
system, votes from each Electronic voting machine are counted separately
and hence reveal the voting trends in each polling
station which leaves the voters in that vicinity open to harassment, intimidation and post-election
victimization ( for e.g. delaying infrastructure developing or other welfare
activities).</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'>It will add an extra layer of
security to the voting process thus upholding the basic principle of
secret ballot as the present EVMs do not provide any avenues for mixing of
votes</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'>Mixing of votes as mandated
under the Rule no 59A of the Election Rules which states “mixing of
votes
in cases where it is considered ‘absolutely necessary’<
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle'>However, it has been argued
that it camouflages the booth-wise performance of candidates which is
essential for parties to devise “booth-management” strategies (
king at
booth level to mobilise voters).</li>
</ul>

 

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="VVPATVoterVerifiablePaperAuditTrail">VVPAT Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail</h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>VVPAT provides feedback to
voters to verify if the vote has gone to the intended candidate </li>
</ul>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>VVPAT is an independent
verification printer machine attached to EVM</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Whenever voter presses EVM
button, a paper slip is printed through VVPAT</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>Slip contains poll symbol and
name of the candidate </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>After the voter views the
slip, the VVPAT machine drops the slip into sealed box attached to the EVM
after 7 seconds (sealed box can only be accessible by authorised
persons)Constituency level</li>
</ul>

 

 

 

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="dummy"> </h2>

<h2 style='margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:14.0pt;color:#2E75B5'
lang=en-US id="NOTANoneOfTheAbove">NOTA None Of The Above</h2>

<ul type=disc style='margin-left:.375in;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed;
margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in'>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>NOTA in India does not provide for a ‘right to reject’. Irrespective of the no.of votes polled
for
NOTA, the candidate with the maximum votes wins the election.</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>In People’s Union For Civil Liberties v. Un
on
Of India (September 27, 2013), the Supreme
Court had ruled that a None of the Above
(NOTA) option “may be provided in EVM

so that voters are able to exercise their “rig
not to vote while maintaining their right of
secrecy”</l
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>If a
situation arose where the number of NOTA
votes exceeded the number of votes polled
by any of the candidates, the candidate with
the highest number of votes would be declared winner.</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>NOTA option is also applicable to Rajyasabha
polls</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>NOTA is now just a symbolic
instrument but not provide for right to reject</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>When right to reject is
provisioned, then NOTA will become meaningful instrument</li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>NOTA polling figures are
still small. </li>
<li style='margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;vertical-align:middle' lang=en-US>On an average, the maximum
NOTA vote share has not crossed 2.02% of the total votes polled in any
election cycle.</li>
</ul>