Question

Describe the wide-ranging powers of the Election Commission of India.

Answer 1

In our country elections are conducted by an independent and very powerful Election Commission (EC). The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the President of India. But once appointed, the Chief Election Commissioner is not answerable to the President or the government. Even if the ruling party or the government does not like what the Commission does, it is virtually impossible for it to remove the CEC. The Election Commission of India enjoys wide-ranging powers:
(i) EC takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections from the announcement of elections to the declaration of results.
(ii) It implements the code of conduct and punishes any candidate or party that violates it.
(iii) During the election period, the EC can order the government to follow some questions, to prevent use and misuse of governmental power to enhance its chances to win elections, or to transfer some government officials.
(iv) When on election duty, government officers work under the control of the EC and not the government.