Appointment of State Election Commissioner: The Governor of the respective state appoints the State Election Commissioner. This ensures a state-level authority for conducting local body elections.
Tenure of Office: The term of office for a State Election Commissioner is typically fixed, often for a period of five years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever comes first. However, specific tenures can vary slightly based on state-specific laws.
Removal from Office: The removal process for a State Election Commissioner is stringent and similar to that of a Judge of a High Court. This means they can only be removed on grounds of proven misbehavior or incapacity, through an address by each House of the State Legislature, passed by a special majority. This provision ensures the independence and impartiality of the office.
Constitutional and Statutory Basis: While the Election Commission of India is a constitutional body under Article 324, State Election Commissions are established by state legislatures under Part IX (for Panchayats) and Part IX-A (for Municipalities) of the Constitution, as mandated by Articles 243K and 243ZA respectively.
Functions: State Election Commissions are responsible for conducting elections to Panchayats and Municipalities within their respective states. This includes preparing electoral rolls, delimitation of wards, and notifying election schedules.
Independence: The provisions for appointment, tenure, and removal are designed to safeguard the independence of the State Election Commissioners from executive influence, ensuring fair conduct of local elections.
