Sushil Chandra appointed as 24th Chief Election Commissioner
The President of India has recently appointed Shri Sushil Chandra as the Chief Election Commissioner in the Election Commission of India.
It may be noted that after the release of Election Commissioner Sushil Arora on April 12, 2021, Mr. Sushil Chandra has taken charge as the Chief Election Commissioner, on April 13, 2021.His appointment has been made on the basis of seniority, as Mr. Sushil Chandra was the senior most Election Commissioner in the Election Commission of India.
The Election Commission of India
- The Election Commission in India is a constitutional body. It was established on 25 January 1950.
- In accordance with the rules and regulations mentioned in the Indian Consitution, The Election Commission conducts the election procedures of Union and State. It conducts election of Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, State assemblies, President and Vice President in the country.
- Part 15 of the constitution deals with elections, in which provision has been made for the creation of an Election Commission for conducting elections.
- Article 324 – 329 refer to the provisions related to the powers, functions, tenure, eligibility etc. of the Election Commission and their members.
- The term of the Chief Election Commissioner is up to the age of 6 years or 65 years (whichever is earlier). The President has the power to elect the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners on his advice.
- They receive the same salary and allowances as judges of the Supreme Courts. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed by the President only on the grounds of ‘proven misbehavior or incapacity’(as per the manner of removal of the judges of the Supreme Court) by the Parliament.
- Other commissioners cannot be removed from their posts without the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
Structure of the Election Commission
- Initially, the Election Commission originally had a provision for only one Election Commissioner, but after a Presidential notification on October 16, 1989, two additional commissioners were appointed and made it a three-member body.
- This rule remained in existence till January 1, 1990. After this, it was again made a one-member commission, but again on October 1, 1993, two additional election commissioners were appointed to the commission and this structure has been functioning since then. Currently, it consists of a Chief Election Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners.
- The Commission has the power to restrict candidates who fail to present their election expenses before the Commission within the stipulated time and in the manner prescribed by the
- Under Article 103, the President consults the Election Commission regarding the disqualifications of members of Parliament.
- The Governors of the states, under Article 192, consult the Election Commission regarding the disqualifications of the members of the State Legislature.
Source – PIB
