Election commission of India
The election commission of India is an autonomous body under the ownership of the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. It is established by the Constitution of India.
This ensures free and fair elections in the nation.
Structure of Election Commission of India
The commission was established in 1950 and Originally has One Chief Election Commissioner. Then two additional commissioners were appointed on 16 October 1989 for a short tenure.
Then Election Commissioner Amendment Act, 1989 was adopted on 1 January 1990 that turned the commission into a multi-member body. The Election commission of India has Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioner, who are usually retired IAS officers.
Salaries
The election commissioner draws their salaries and allowances on par with the Judges of the Supreme court of India. This is mentioned in “Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioner (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1992.
This commission has its secretariat located in New Delhi.
Article of Election Commission – Artcle 324
Role of Election Commission of India
Article 324 provides the power of direction and control of elections of parliament, state legislature, the office of President of India, and office of vice president.
It is an all-India body, that is common to both the Central and State government.
It must be noted that the Election commission of India does not conduct an election for Panchayat and Municipal elections. They are conducted by the State election commission.
Chief election commissioner of India
Chief Election Commissioner of India is the head of the Election Commission of India. He/She is usually a member of the ICS (Indian Civil Service) and mostly selected from the IAS (Indian Administrative Service).
Since 2 December 2018, Shri. Sunil Arora is the Chief Election Commissioner of India. The tenure of this post is 6 years or up to 65 years of age whichever is earlier. This post has depute, that is Deputy Election Commissioners of India. He/She is appointed by the President of India. His/Her compensation is ₹250,000 Monthly.
By the Election Commission (Condition of Service of Election Commissions and Transaction of Business) Act of 1991, the salary of the Chief Election Commissioner of India is the same as the salary of a Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
When the President, appoints other election commissioners for help they too receive the salary same as Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
Removal of Chief election Commissioner of India
One Appointed, He/She can be removed by two-thirds of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, present and voting against the Chief Election Commissioner of India for disorderly conduct or improper actions.
