Question

Regarding the Election Commission’s composition and appointments, which of the following statements are correct?

1. Originally a single-member body, the Election Commission became a multi-member body post-1989.

2. The Chief Election Commissioner is always the senior-most Election Commissioner.

3. The President appoints Election Commissioners based on Constitution’s Article 324.
   Select the correct answer:
   

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1, 2, and 3
• D. 1 only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 and 3 only

Election Commission of India: Composition and Appointments

Background and Evolution

• Initially, the Election Commission of India (ECI) was established as a single-member body.
• In October 1989, the ECI was converted into a multi-member body with the appointment of two additional Election Commissioners.
• This change was enacted through The Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991, which also stipulated provisions for the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.

Key Provisions and Appointments

• Article 324 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of the Election Commission and vests the power of appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners in the President of India.
• The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Election Commissioners (ECs).
• While the senior-most Election Commissioner is usually designated as the Chief Election Commissioner, this is not a constitutionally mandated requirement but rather a convention.
• The Election Commission consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may from time to time fix.
• The CEC and ECs have a fixed tenure of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.

Constitutional and Legal Framework

• The ECI is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India in accordance with the Constitution.
• It functions as a guardian of free and fair elections in the country.