0

SHRI SHIKSHAYATAN COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

TUTORIAL TERM PAPER: PLS-A-CC-2-4

TOPIC: FUNCTIONS OF THE ELECTION

COMMISSION

NAME: MOUMITA SINGHA

COLLEGE ROLL NUMBER: 105(B.A)

C.U ROLL NUMBER: 202034-11-0182

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 05.07.2021

 1

ELECTION COMMISSION:

The Election Commission is a permanent and independent body established by the constitution of India to
supervise the entire procedure and machinery for election and to ensure free and fair elections in the
country. ARTICLE 324 of the constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and
control of elections to Parliament, state legislatures, the office of President and Vice President of India
shall be vested in the Election Commission. Thus, the Election Commission is an all-India body that is
common to both the central and state government. The Election Commission consist of one Chief
Election Commissioner and such other commissioners as the President may, from time to time, fix
{ARTICLE 324(2)}.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF ELECTION COMMISSION:

Election Commission has acted in an impartial and unbiased manner to protect the sanctity of the
electoral process. In the last twenty years, Election Commission has become more independent and
assertive. It is not that the powers of Election Commission have been increased. It is only that the
complexity of Indian electoral process has forced the Election Commission to use its powers more openly
and effectively.

1. GUARDIAN OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTION-

One of the most important features of the democratic polity is elections at regular intervals.
Democracy is the -
“Government Of the people, By the people, and for the people”
Holding periodic free & fair elections are essentials of democratic system. It has been held in T.
N. Sheshan period. The Commission has taken many efforts for the success of elections and
thereby democracy. So, it is regarded as Guardian of both, democracy as well as free and fair
elections.

2. MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT-

In every election, Election Commission issues a Model code of Conduct for political parties and
candidates to conduct elections in free & fair manner. The Commission issued its First code in
1971 (5th Election) and revised it from time to time. It lay down guidelines for conduct of political
parties & candidates during elections. However, there are instances of violation of code by the
political parties and complaints are received for misuse of official machinery by the candidates.

3. REGISTRATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES-

 2

The party system is an essential feature of the Parliamentary democracy. Law regarding to this
registration process enacted in 1989 and number of parties got registered with Commission. It
ensures that political parties can practice democracy only by their registration.

4. LIMITS ON POLL EXPENSES-

To get rid of the growing influences and vulgar show of money during elections, the Election
Commission has made many suggestions in this regard.
 It has fixed the legal limits on the amount of money which a candidate can spend during
election campaigns. These limits have been revised from time to time.
 Appointed observers to keep an eye on the individual account of election expenditure.
The contestants are also required to give details of expenditure within 30 days of
declaration of results.
 The campaign period was reduced by the Election Commission from 21 to 14 days for
Lok Sabha and Assembly elections; it is for to trim down election expenditure.

5. USE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS-

The Election Commission trying to bring improvements in election procedures by taking
advantage of Scientific and Technological Advancements.
 The introduction of EVM – Electronic Voting Machines is one of the steps in that
direction. It was used with view to reducing malpractices and also improving the
efficiency.
 The Election Commission making use of Information Technology launched a web site of
its own on 28th February, 1998 i.e. www.eci.gov.in. It helps to provide accurate
information, management, administration and instant results of the elections.
 To prevent electoral fraud, in 1993 EPICs – Electoral Photo Identity Cards were issued.
The State Election Commission developed the electoral roll management software called
‘STEERS’.

6. CHECKING CRIMINALIZATION OF POLITICS-

The Commission has expressed its serious concern over anti - social activities. Commission
made norms and recommendation to the government to curb the menace of criminalization of
politics. no person with a criminal background will be given the party ticket”. The candidates are
obliged to submit an affidavit in a prescribed form declaring their criminal records, including
convictions, acquittals charge pending cases.

7. ADVISORY FUNCTION:
 3

The Election Commission of India has advisory jurisdiction in terms of post-election ineligibility of
sitting members of the Parliament and State Legislature.
 Election Commission advise the President on matters relating to the disqualifications of
the members of Parliament and also the governor on matters relating to the
disqualifications of the members of state legislature.
 The Election Commission of India also has the power to ban any candidate who has not
lodged an account of election expenses by the deadline and as per the law.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

1. To determine the territorial areas of the electoral constituencies throughout the country on the
basis of the Delimitation Commission Act of Parliament.
2. To prepare and periodically revise electoral rolls, to register all eligible voters, notifies the dates
and schedules of elections and to scrutinise nomination papers and grant the political parties’
status of national or state parties on the basis of their poll performance.
3. To act as a court for settling disputes related to granting of recognition to political parties and
allotment of election symbols to them.
4. To cancel polls in the event of booth rigging, capturing, violence and other irregularities.
5. Moreover, election commission prepares a roaster for the publicity of the parties on radio, TV
during elections.

CONCLUSION:

The Commission over the years has conducted number of laudable electoral reforms to strengthen
democracy and enhance fairness of elections. The commission has taken best steps to stop malpractices
during elections by using advance technology. However, all these efforts taken by the Election
Commission will help to grow democracy and its confidence in the minds of people. The Commission
should be empowered to punish the greedy politicians for violation of Code, Laws, and Orders of the
Courts. A country’s administration should be governed not by the bullet but by the ballot.
 4

BIBLIOGRAPHY

REFERENCES:

 Laxmikanth, Mamadgi, 2020, Indian Polity, 6th Edition, Mc Graw Hill Education (India) Private
Limited, Chennai.
 Basu, D.D, 2020, Introduction to the Constitution of India, 25th Edition, Lexis Nexis, Haryana,
India.
 Jayal, Niraja Gopal, 2010 The Oxford Companion to Politics in India, 2nd Edition, Sage
Publications India Private Limited, New Delhi.
 Singh, Ujjwal and Roy, Anupama, 2019, Election Commission in India: Institutionalising
Democratic Uncertainties, Oxford University Press, New Delhi.

LINKS:

 https://blog.ipleaders.in/election-commission-of-india-role-and-duty-in-reality/. Accessed on 26
June 2021.
 https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/essay/powers-and-functions-of-election-commission-of-india/
24934. Accessed on 26 June 2021.