Election Commission

In the news

• Should the right to vote become a fundamental right? 28 September 2026 · The Hindu

  If voting is only a statutory right, how well is a voter protected when the rolls go wrong?

• Opposition demands the Chief Election Commissioner's exit 25 September 2026 · The Hindu

  Can Parliament remove a Chief Election Commissioner, and how hard is it?

• How should registered unrecognised political parties be regulated? 11 September 2026 · The Hindu

  Six little-known Gujarat parties reported more donations than five national parties. Who keeps watch on such parties?

Key facts

• Article 326 provides that elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies shall be on the basis of adult suffrage; the 61st Amendment (1988) lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. (28 September 2026)
• Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections, including preparation of electoral rolls, in the Election Commission of India. (28 September 2026)
• Under Article 324(5), the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Supreme Court judge. (25 September 2026)
• Other Election Commissioners can be removed only on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. (25 September 2026)
• Political parties register with the Election Commission under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951; recognition as a national or State party depends on the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. (11 September 2026)
• In Indian National Congress v. Institute of Social Welfare (2002), the Supreme Court held that the Election Commission has no general power to de-register a registered party. (11 September 2026)

Previous-year questions

1. 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 of the voters?
2. 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks To what extent do pressure groups, social movements and corporate lobbies deepen pluralistic democracy in India by representing excluded interests? Analyse whether the growing convergence of corporate wealth and…
3. 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.
4. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks "While the national political parties in India favour centralisation, the regional parties are in favour of State autonomy." Comment.
5. 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.
6. 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 in India?
7. 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 democracy successful?
8. 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 democracy successful?
9. 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 elections and bye-elections…
10. 2017 · Prelims Right to vote and to be elected in India is a (a) Fundamental Right (b) Natural Right (c) Constitutional Right (d) Legal Right