ECI: Electoral integrity & Transparency

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent constitutional authority responsible for administering and supervising elections in India to ensure they are conducted fairly and transparently.

Constitutional Basis:

• Established: January 25, 1950.
• Article 324: Empowers the ECI to supervise, direct, and control elections for the Parliament, State Legislatures, the Office of the President, and Vice-President of India.

Structure of the ECI:

• Chief Election Commissioner (CEC): Heads the commission.
• Election Commissioners (ECs): Two other commissioners assist the CEC.
• Tenure and Appointment: Appointed by the President of India, the CEC and ECs have a tenure of 6 years or until they reach the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
• Independence:

• • Their salary and service conditions are similar to a Supreme Court judge.
  • Removal of the CEC requires a process akin to the impeachment of a Supreme Court judge, ensuring independence.

Functions and Responsibilities:

Conduct of Elections:

1. • Prepares and updates electoral rolls.
   • Supervises the nomination process for candidates.
   • Monitors campaign funding and expenditure.

Voter Awareness and Participation:

1. • Organizes initiatives like Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) to encourage voting.

Ensuring Free and Fair Elections:

1. • Implements the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections.
   • Addresses complaints and malpractices during elections.

Technology Integration:

1. • Use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs).
   • Deployment of webcasting and real-time monitoring for enhanced transparency.

Redressal of Electoral Disputes:

• • Resolves disputes related to the conduct of elections and political parties’ registrations.