Polity · X-Factor Notes
Election Commission revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Basis | Provisions related to the electoral system are dealt with in Part XV of the Constitution, specifically Article 324 to 329. | UPPSC RO-ARO 2023 R.E |
| Article 324 | Article 324 provides for an Election Commission. This Article vests the superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the Election Commission. | UPPCS (Mains) 2010, UPPCS (Pre) 2016, U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2017, UPPSC Prelims 2023 |
| Nature of EC | It is a permanent and independent body. | |
| Composition | Consists of a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs) as decided by the President. Since October 1, 1993, the Election Commission has been a three-member body. | |
| Appointment | The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are appointed by the President. | |
| Status and Salary | The CEC and other ECs have equal power. Their salary and perks are the same as those of the Judges of the Supreme Court. | UPPCS (Mains) 2016 (Question on CEC status) |
| Tenure | The tenure for the Commissioners is 6 years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. | UPPCS (Pre) 2012 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Elections Conducted | ECI conducts elections for the Parliament, State Legislative Assemblies, the President, and the Vice-President. | U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001, UPPCS (Mains) 2009, UPPSC Prelims 2024 |
| Electoral Rolls | The ECI is responsible for the direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls. Electoral rolls are prepared under the direction of the Election Commission (not the President). | UPPCS (Mains) 2011 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Removal of CEC | The CEC can be removed only in a manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court. This requires a resolution passed by a 2/3rd majority of the members of both the Houses of Parliament. | UPPCS (Mains) 2002 |
| Removal of other ECs/State ECs | Can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. | |
| State Election Commission (SEC) |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Voting Age Reduction | The age for the right to vote was decreased from 21 years to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment Act, 1988 (effective March 28, 1989). | UPPCS (Mains) 2010, UPPCS (Mains) 2007, UPPCS (Spl) (Mains) 2008 |
| First Woman CEC | V. S. Ramadevi (1990). | UPPCS (Pre) 2021 |
| First CEC | Sukumar Sen (served from 1950 to 1958). |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| National Party Recognition | A political party can be recognized as a National Party if it has state party status in at least four states. | UPPCS (Pre) 2000 |
| State Party Recognition | A political party may be recognized as a state party if, among other criteria, it manages to win at least 8% of the total votes cast in the entire State. | |
| CPI Formation Year |
| Disputes (Internal) | ECI resolves disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties. |
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| Election Notification | The ECI does not issue the notification for elections. Notification for Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha is issued by the President, and for State Legislative Assemblies/Councils, it is issued by the Governor. | UPPCS (Pre) 1992 |
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| Elections NOT Conducted by ECI | ECI does not conduct elections for the post of Speaker/Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha or Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, nor elections for municipal corporations and municipalities. | UPPSC Prelims 2024 |
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| Dispute Resolution (General) | ECI does not decide on doubts and disputes arising from general elections; these are settled by the Supreme Court. | UPPSC Prelims 2024 |
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| Model Code of Conduct (MCC) | MCC is a set of guidelines formulated by the Election Commission of India. |
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| Established under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. It is a Constitutional authority. SEC conducts elections to local bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities) (Article 243K and 243ZA). The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor of the state. |
| UPPCS (Pre) (Re-Exam) 2015 |
| UPPCS (Pre) 2021 |
| Right to Vote | In India, the right to vote is a constitutional right. Elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies are based on adult suffrage (Art. 326). | UPPCS (Mains) 2011 |
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| Delimitation Commission | Tasked with redrawing constituency boundaries based on the latest census. It has been set up five times (1952, 1963, 1973, 2002. Fifth Commission constituted in March 2020 for for delimitation in Jammu & Kashmir and four Northeastern states. |
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| Dinesh Goswami Committee | This committee was concerned with electoral reforms. The Representation of People (Amendment) Act, 1996 was based on its recommendations. |
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| Proportional Representation | This system is designed to ensure the representation of minorities. It becomes insignificant in a country where a two-party system has developed. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2013, UPPCS (Pre) 2013 |
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| UPPCS (Mains) 2011 |
| CPI Split | The Communist Party of India divided into two parties, CPI and CPI (M), in 1964. |
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| Election | Part XV of the Constitution is related to Elections. | U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013 |
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