Chief Election Commissioner and other ECs

🏛️ Constitutional Status

• Established under Article 324 of the Constitution.
• Responsible for conducting free and fair elections to:
  • Parliament
  • State Legislatures
  • President and Vice President of India
• Composed of:
  • 1 Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
  • 2 Election Commissioners (ECs)
• Became a multi-member body in 1993 (before that, single-member CEC).

📝 PYQ (BPSC 66th): Under which article is the Election Commission mentioned? → Article 324

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🧑‍⚖️ Appointment and Tenure

• Appointed by the President of India.
• Tenure: 6 years or until 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.
• Same status, salary, and perks as a Supreme Court judge.
• CEC can be removed only through impeachment, similar to SC judge.
• Other ECs can be removed by the President on recommendation of CEC.

📝 Expected MCQ: Who appoints the CEC? → President of India

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⚙️ Powers and Functions

• Conducts elections for:
  • Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
  • State Legislative Assemblies and Councils
  • President and Vice-President of India
• Prepares and revises electoral rolls
• Allots election symbols to parties
• Recognizes political parties
• Enforces the Model Code of Conduct
• Advises the President and Governors on matters of disqualification of MPs/MLAs
• Conducts by-elections in case of vacancies

📝 Expected MCQ: Which body enforces the Model Code of Conduct? → Election Commission

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🛡️ Safeguards and Independence

• Security of tenure: Cannot be removed easily (CEC needs impeachment)
• Conditions of service cannot be changed to their disadvantage after appointment
• Expenditure is charged on the Consolidated Fund of India

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🕰️ Evolution and Historical Facts

• First Chief Election Commissioner: Sukumar Sen (1950–58)
• Multi-member body since 1993
• Current Structure: CEC + 2 ECs

📝 Expected MCQ: Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India? → Sukumar Sen

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Bihar-Specific Context

• Election Commission manages large-scale booth management and security due to Bihar’s challenging electoral environment
• Bihar often sees multi-phase polling due to law and order concerns
• Model Code of Conduct enforced strictly during Assembly and General elections
• VVPAT, EVM, and voter awareness campaigns intensified in Bihar

📝 Expected BPSC Question: Which body regulates elections in Bihar? → Election Commission of India

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📝 PYQs and Expected Questions

• ✅ BPSC 66th: Election Commission is established under which article? → Article 324
• ✅ Expected: Who was the first CEC of India? → Sukumar Sen
• ✅ Expected: Who removes Election Commissioners? → President on recommendation of CEC
• ✅ Expected: How many members are in the current Election Commission? → Three (CEC + 2 ECs)
• ✅ Expected: Tenure of Chief Election Commissioner? → 6 years or till age of 65

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🔁 Quick Recap for Prelims

• Article 324 → Election Commission
• Appointed by: President
• First CEC: Sukumar Sen
• CEC removal: Like SC Judge
• Functions: Conducts elections, MCC, party recognition
• Bihar: Multi-phase polling, VVPAT use, heavy security

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📘 Sources Used

• Indian Polity – M. Laxmikanth
• Lucent GK – Indian Polity Section
• Drishti Bihar Special Book – Polity
• Official Election Commission Website – eci.gov.in
• Ghatna Chakra PYQs – BPSC

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