Question

Consider the following statements with regard to the Election Commission of India:
(i) The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners receive salaries equivalent to a Supreme Court Judge.
(ii) The Election Commission celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2001.
(iii) The first state to conduct elections based on adult suffrage was Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• A. only (i)
• B. only (ii)
• C. only (i) and (ii)
• D. All the above

Answer 1

Answer:

C. only (i) and (ii)

Election Commission of India (ECI)

• Constitutional Body: The Election Commission of India is a permanent and independent constitutional body established by the Constitution of India.

• Establishment Date: It was established on January 25, 1950.

• Golden Jubilee: The Election Commission celebrated its Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) in the year 2001. This confirms statement (ii).

• Composition: The ECI consists of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs).

• Appointment and Tenure: The President appoints the CEC and ECs. They hold office for a term of 6 years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

• Salary and Allowances: The salary and allowances of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are equivalent to those of a Judge of the Supreme Court of India. This confirms statement (i).

• Conditions of Service: The conditions of service of the Election Commissioners are determined by the President, subject to any law made by Parliament.

• Removal of CEC: The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.

• Removal of ECs: Election Commissioners can be removed on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

• First Election to Adult Suffrage: While Kerala was one of the early states to conduct elections, the statement that it was the *first* state to conduct elections based on adult suffrage needs careful consideration. The first general election in India (1951-52) was conducted on the basis of adult suffrage for the entire country. Therefore, statement (iii) is generally considered incorrect in the context of the *very first* implementation of adult suffrage for national elections.

• Powers and Functions: The ECI is responsible for conducting free and fair elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President of India.

• Delimitation Commission Act, 1952: This act was enacted to provide for the delimitation of constituencies for the purpose of elections to the House of the People and to the State Legislative Assemblies.