Election Commission of India
In one line: The Election Commission of India is the constitutional body that, under Article 324, superintends, directs and controls the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament, State legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President.
Its role in roll revision
It orders revisions of the rolls, including intensive revisions like the SIR, and its machinery of Chief Electoral Officers and Electoral Registration Officers carries them out under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
Its role in West Bengal's appeals
Following the Supreme Court's 10 March 2026 order, the EC notified the 19 appellate tribunals and bears their full cost. In August 2026, the Court asked it to report how many appeals had been decided and how many were pending.
Why it matters
UPSC's 2026 GS2 paper asked about the EC's position while revising rolls. The Bengal experience shows how courts have shaped that power.
Where to go next
- Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950
- SIR appellate tribunals in West Bengal
Election Commission of India in the news
- Fourth of 19 judges quits Bengal's SIR appeal tribunals as Murshidabad appeals stall 8 November 2026
The constitutional body that runs roll revisions and notified the tribunals.
- Should the right to vote become a fundamental right? 28 September 2026
The constitutional referee of elections
Previous-year questions on this
- 2026 · GS2 · 10 marks Is the right to vote a fundamental right? Discuss the position of the Election Commission of India while undertaking the revision of electoral rolls. Can it also examine the question of citizenship…
- 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct.
- 2019 · GS2 · 15 marks On what grounds a people's representative can be disqualified under the Representation of People Act, 1951? Also, mention the remedies available to such a person against his disqualification.
- 2018 · GS2 · 15 marks How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India.
- 2018 · GS2 · 10 marks In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections…
- 2017 · GS2 · 15 marks To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make…
- 2017 · Prelims Consider the following statements: 1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body. 2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general…