Election commission of India (ECI)- Structure, Function, Power and Role

It is made up of three members—a chief EC and two other commissioners—who are elected for six-year terms by the Indian president. It was founded in 1950.

Sukumar Sen was the first Chief ECI, serving from March 21, 1950, until December 19, 1958.

V. S. Ramadevi was the 9th and first female Chief EC from November 26 to December 11, 1990.

Sushil Chandra, Chief EC, was appointed alongside Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey.

Functions:

1. Guardian of fair and free elections
2. Every election, the Model Code of Conduct is issued.
3. The ECI requires political parties to file yearly financial reports.
4. Governs all political parties' campaign expenditures per candidate without discrimination.

Powers:

1. If it believes that suppressing the findings of opinion surveys is in the best interests of democracy, it can do so.
2. All recognized political parties should be given election emblems.
3. Candidates who fail to submit their election spending accounts on time may be postponed by ECI
4. For all forthcoming elections, plan and prioritize election dates and timetables.

Controversies:

ECI is embroiled in various issues about its independence and integrity as India's election watchdog. Following the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, a series of concerns arose about the ECI's involvement.

The Citizens' Commission on Elections acknowledged that it abused its power and that of the Armed Forces in support of BJP campaigns. The Citizens' Commission on Elections acknowledged that it abused its power and that of the Armed Forces in support of Bharatiya Janata Party campaigns.

Despite repeated judicial decisions, ECI was under fire for letting political parties hold Assembly election rallies without following Covid-19 safety regulations.

New election rules in 2022:

In light of the better Covid conditions, five poll-bound states, ECI lifted the 1,000-person attendance restriction for physical rallies, allowing them to hold meetings up to 50% of the capacity of indoor venues and 30% of the capacity of outdoor fields.

In its amended instructions for Covid-safe campaigning, the EC affirm a ban on roadshows, pad-yatras, cycle/bike/vehicle rallies, and processions will remain in place.

The second round Assembly Elections 2022 will include voting, 70 assembly seats in Uttarakhand, 40 districts in Goa, and 55 out of 403 seats in Uttar Pradesh.

In Uttar Pradesh, voting times are 7 am-5 pm, following the Election Commission's Covid norms. Polls in Goa opened 7 am-6 pm. and Uttarakhand timings are 8 am- 6 pm.

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