Rahul Devashish
Rahul DevashishCoursePolityExecutive
24 Jul 2025ยท2 min readยท

State Election Commissioner

๐Ÿ“œ Constitutional Provisions

  • Mentioned under Article 243K of the Constitution.
  • Ensures free and fair elections to:
    • Panchayats (under Part IX)
    • Municipalities (under Part IXA)
  • Powers and functions are similar to the Election Commission of India, but limited to local bodies.

๐Ÿ“ PYQ (BPSC 66th): Article related to State Election Commission? โ†’ Article 243K


๐Ÿ‘ค Appointment

  • Appointed by: Governor of the respective state
  • Headed by a State Election Commissioner (SEC)

๐Ÿ“ Expected BPSC MCQ: Who appoints the State Election Commissioner? โ†’ Governor


๐Ÿ“… Tenure

  • Term: Determined by the Governor
  • Cannot be removed except in the manner and on the grounds prescribed for a High Court judge
  • Ensures independence similar to central Election Commission

๐Ÿ“ Expected: State Election Commissioner can be removed like? โ†’ High Court judge


๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Powers & Functions

  • Conducts and supervises:
    • Elections to Panchayats and Municipalities
    • Preparation of electoral rolls
    • Delimitation of constituencies
  • Issues model code of conduct for local elections

๐Ÿงพ Reporting

  • Works independently of the state government
  • Not answerable to any department or ministry

โš–๏ธ Comparison with Election Commission of India

Election Commission of IndiaState Election Commission
Article 324Article 243K
Conducts elections to Parliament & State AssembliesConducts elections to Panchayats & Municipalities
Appointed by PresidentAppointed by Governor

๐Ÿ“ Expected MCQ: Which body conducts Panchayat elections? โ†’ State Election Commission


Bihar Context

  • State Election Commission Bihar headquartered in Patna
  • Conducts:
    • Gram Panchayat, Zila Parishad, and Municipal elections
  • First State Election Commissioner of Bihar: Shri A.K. Chaudhary (after 73rd Amendment)

๐Ÿ” Quick Recap

  • Article: 243K
  • Appointed by: Governor
  • Conducts: Panchayat & Municipal elections
  • Independent like: High Court judge in removal process
  • Current SEC of Bihar: [Check official site]

๐Ÿ“ PYQs & Expected Questions

  • โœ… BPSC 66th: Article related to SEC? โ†’ 243K
  • โœ… Expected: Who appoints SEC? โ†’ Governor
  • โœ… Expected: Panchayat elections are held under supervision of? โ†’ State Election Commission
  • โœ… Expected: SEC can be removed like? โ†’ High Court Judge

๐Ÿ“š Sources Used

  • Indian Polity โ€“ M. Laxmikanth
  • Lucent GK โ€“ Polity Section
  • Drishti Bihar Special Book
  • Ghatna Chakra BPSC PYQs
  • SEC Bihar Website โ€“ sec.bihar.gov.in