Question

Which among the following statement(s) is/are correct?

1. The Election Commission prepares a roster for the publicity of political parties’ policies on radio and TV.

2. The longest-serving Chief Election Commissioner was Kalyan Sundaram.

3. The spending limit for assembly elections in small states is ₹28 lakhs.

4. The minimum age to contest for the Rajya Sabha is 35 years.

• A. Only (1)
• B. Only (1 and 2)
• C. Only (1, 2, and 3)
• D. All of the above (1, 2, 3, and 4)

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Only (1, 2, and 3)

Election Commission of India (ECI) and Electoral Processes

• Role in Media Publicity: The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays a crucial role in ensuring a level playing field for political parties. It prepares a roster for the broadcast and telecast of the policies and programmes of recognized political parties on All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD). This ensures that smaller parties also get a chance to publicize their agendas.
• Longest-Serving CEC: Kalyan Sundaram holds the record for being the longest-serving Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India. He served from December 1, 1950, to October 27, 1958.
• Election Expenditure Limits: The ECI periodically revises the limits on election expenditure. For assembly elections in most states, the spending limit is ₹28 lakhs per candidate. This limit is intended to curb the influence of black money in elections. Note that for parliamentary constituencies, the limit is higher.
• Rajya Sabha Membership Age: To be eligible to contest for the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), a candidate must be at least 30 years of age, not 35. The minimum age requirement for contesting elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies is 25 years, and for the President and Governors, it is 35 years.

Key Facts for Competitive Exams:

• The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body established under Article 324 of the Constitution of India.
• The ECI is responsible for conducting elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice-President.
• The Representation of the People Act, 1951, governs various aspects of electoral conduct and disqualifications.
• The First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system is primarily used for elections in India.