Election Commission of India - Revision history

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	{{Infobox government agency		{{Infobox government agency
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	\| logo = ~~[[File:Election Commission of India logo.svg\|200px]]~~		\| logo =
	\| logo_width = 90		\| logo_width = 90
	\| logo_caption = The official logo of the Election Commission of India		\| logo_caption = The official logo of the Election Commission of India

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	{{About\|the body which oversees elections in India\|similar bodies in other jurisdictions\|Election commission}}		{{About\|the body which oversees elections in India\|similar bodies in other jurisdictions\|Election commission}}
	{{Distinguish\|Election Commissioners of India}}		{{Distinguish\|Election Commissioners of India}}
			{{Use Indian English\|date=June 2016}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=~~April 2021~~}}
	{{Infobox government agency		{{Infobox government agency
	\| nativename_a =		\| nativename_a = ''भारत निर्वाचन आयोग''
	\| logo = [[File:~~Election_Commission_of_India_Logo~~.~~png~~\|200px]]		\| logo = [[File:Election Commission of India logo.svg\|200px]]
	\| logo_width = 90		\| logo_width = 90
	\| logo_caption = The official logo of the Election Commission of India		\| logo_caption = The official logo of the Election Commission of India
	\| formed = {{Start date and age\|1950\|01\|25\|df=yes}}<br>(Later celebrated as [[National Voters' Day]])		\| formed = {{Start date and age\|1950\|01\|25\|df=yes}}<br>(Later celebrated as [[National Voters' Day]])
	\| jurisdiction = ~~{{flag~~\|India}}		\| jurisdiction = [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)\|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]
	\| headquarters = Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, [[New Delhi]]<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/communication/index.html#contact\|title=Contact Us\|website=Election Commission of India\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226103256/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/communication/index.html#contact\|archive-date=26 December 2016\|url-status=dead\|access-date=10 January 2018}}</ref>		\| headquarters = Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, [[New Delhi]]<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/communication/index.html#contact\|title=Contact Us\|website=Election Commission of India\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226103256/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/communication/index.html#contact\|archive-date=26 December 2016\|url-status=dead\|access-date=10 January 2018}}</ref>
	\| chief1_position = [[Chief Election Commissioner of India]]		\| chief1_position = [[Chief Election Commissioner of India]]
	\| chief1_name = [[~~Sunil Arora~~]], [[Indian ~~Administrative~~ Service\|~~IAS~~]]		\| chief1_name = '''[[Sushil Chandra]] ''', [[Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)\|IRS (IT)]]
	\| chief2_name = Rajiv Kumar, [[Indian Administrative Service\|IAS]] ([[Retired\|Retd.]])		\| chief2_name = ''' Rajiv Kumar ''', [[Indian Administrative Service\|IAS]] ([[Retired\|Retd.]])
	\| chief2_position = [[Election Commissioner of India]]		\| chief2_position = [[Election Commissioner of India]]
	\| chief3_name = ~~Sushil~~ Chandra, [[Indian ~~Revenue~~ Service ~~(Income Tax)~~\|~~IRS (IT)~~]]		\| chief3_name = '''[[Anup Chandra Pandey]] ''', [[Indian Administrative Service\|IAS]]
	\| chief3_position = [[Election Commissioner of India]]		\| chief3_position = [[Election Commissioner of India]]
	\| website = {{URL\|eci.gov.in\|Official Website}}		\| website = {{URL\|eci.gov.in\|Official Website}}
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	\| parent_department =		\| parent_department =
	\| type = Commission		\| type = Commission
			\| region_code = {{flag\|India}}
	\| coordinates = {{Coordinates\|28.623902\|77.21140000000003\|display=inline, title}}		\| coordinates = {{Coordinates\|28.623902\|77.21140000000003\|display=inline, title}}
	}}		}}
	{{Politics of India}}		{{Politics of India}}
	{{Elections}}		{{Elections}}
	The '''Election Commission of India''' is ~~an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering~~ [[~~Elections~~ in India\|election ~~processes~~ in ~~India]] at national~~ and state ~~level~~. The body administers elections to the [[Lok Sabha]], [[Rajya Sabha]], [[State legislative assemblies of India\|State Legislative Assemblies]], [[State legislative councils of India\|State Legislative Councils]] and the offices of the [[President of India\|President]] and [[Vice President of India\|Vice President]] of the country.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/HandBooks/The_Presidential_and_Vice-Presidential_Elections_Act-1952.pdf\|title=The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 (Act No. 31 of 1952)\|date=14 March 1952\|website=Election Commission of India\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009064851/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/HandBooks/The_Presidential_and_Vice-Presidential_Elections_Act-1952.pdf\|archive-date=9 October 2010\|url-status=dead\|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The Election Commission operates under the authority of [[Constitution of India\|Constitution]] per ''Article 324'',<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(21).pdf\|title=Part XV of the Constitution of India - Elections - Article 324\|website=[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)\|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203131609/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(21).pdf\|archive-date=3 December 2011\|url-status=dead\|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> and subsequently enacted [[Representation of the People Act (India)\|Representation of the People Act]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/legislative/election/volume%201/representation%20of%20the%20people%20act,%201951.pdf\|title=The Representation of the People Act, 1951\|website=[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)\|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501024716/http://lawmin.nic.in/legislative/election/volume%201/representation%20of%20the%20people%20act,%201951.pdf\|archive-date=1 May 2015\|url-status=dead\|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The commission has the powers under the Constitution, to act in an appropriate manner when the enacted laws make insufficient provisions to deal with a given situation in the conduct of an election. Being a constitutional authority, Election Commission is amongst the few institutions which function with both autonomy and freedom, along with the country’s [[Supreme Court of India\|higher judiciary]], the [[Union Public Service Commission]] and the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India]].It's a permanent constitutional body.		The '''Election Commission of India''' is a permanent and independent body established by the [[Constitution of India]] directly 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 the president of India, and the office of vice-president of India shall be vested in the election commission. Thus, the Election Commission is an all-India body in the sense that it is common to both the Central government and the state governments.<ref>{{Cite book\|last=author.\|first=Laxmikanth, M.\|url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/999389825\|title=Indian polity for civil services examinations\|isbn=978-93-5260-363-3\|oclc=999389825}}</ref>

			The body of administers elections to the [[Lok Sabha]], [[Rajya Sabha]], [[State legislative assemblies of India\|State Legislative Assemblies]], [[State legislative councils of India\|State Legislative Councils]] and the offices of the [[President of India\|President]] and [[Vice President of India\|Vice President]] of the country.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/HandBooks/The_Presidential_and_Vice-Presidential_Elections_Act-1952.pdf\|title=The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 (Act No. 31 of 1952)\|date=14 March 1952\|website=Election Commission of India\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009064851/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/HandBooks/The_Presidential_and_Vice-Presidential_Elections_Act-1952.pdf\|archive-date=9 October 2010\|url-status=dead\|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The Election Commission operates under the authority of [[Constitution of India\|Constitution]] per ''Article 324'',<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(21).pdf\|title=Part XV of the Constitution of India - Elections - Article 324\|website=[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)\|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203131609/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(21).pdf\|archive-date=3 December 2011\|url-status=dead\|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> and subsequently enacted [[Representation of the People Act (India)\|Representation of the People Act]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/legislative/election/volume%201/representation%20of%20the%20people%20act,%201951.pdf\|title=The Representation of the People Act, 1951\|website=[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)\|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501024716/http://lawmin.nic.in/legislative/election/volume%201/representation%20of%20the%20people%20act,%201951.pdf\|archive-date=1 May 2015\|url-status=dead\|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The commission has the powers under the Constitution, to act in an appropriate manner when the enacted laws make insufficient provisions to deal with a given situation in the conduct of an election. Being a constitutional authority, Election Commission is amongst the few institutions which function with both autonomy and freedom, along with the country’s [[Supreme Court of India\|higher judiciary]], the [[Union Public Service Commission]] and the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India]]. It is a permanent constitutional body.

	==Structure==		==Structure==
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	==External links==		==External links==

	* Election Commission of India [https://www.eci.gov.in Official Portal]		* Election Commission of India [https://www.eci.gov.in Official Portal]
	*		*
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	==External links==		==External links==
	~~{{Source\|Wiki\|E}}~~
	* Election Commission of India [https://www.eci.gov.in Official Portal]		* Election Commission of India [https://www.eci.gov.in Official Portal]
	*		*
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	==External links==		==External links==
			{{Source\|Wiki\|E}}
	* Election Commission of India [https://www.eci.gov.in Official Portal]		* Election Commission of India [https://www.eci.gov.in Official Portal]
	*		*

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	{{Distinguish\|Election Commissioners of India}}		{{Distinguish\|Election Commissioners of India}}

	{{Use Indian English\|date=~~June 2016~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=April 2021}}
	{{Infobox government agency		{{Infobox government agency
	\| nativename_a =		\| nativename_a =

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{{Short description|Election regulatory body of India}}
{{About|the body which oversees elections in India|similar bodies in other jurisdictions|Election commission}}
{{Distinguish|Election Commissioners of India}}

{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox government agency
| nativename_a =
| logo = [[File:Election_Commission_of_India_Logo.png|200px]]
| logo_width = 90
| logo_caption = The official logo of the Election Commission of India
| formed = {{Start date and age|1950|01|25|df=yes}}<br>(Later celebrated as [[National Voters' Day]])
| jurisdiction = {{flag|India}}
| headquarters = Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, [[New Delhi]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/communication/index.html#contact|title=Contact Us|website=Election Commission of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226103256/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/communication/index.html#contact|archive-date=26 December 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=10 January 2018}}</ref>
| chief1_position = [[Chief Election Commissioner of India]]
| chief1_name = [[Sunil Arora]], [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
| chief2_name = Rajiv Kumar, [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] ([[Retired|Retd.]])
| chief2_position = [[Election Commissioner of India]]
| chief3_name = Sushil Chandra, [[Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)|IRS (IT)]]
| chief3_position = [[Election Commissioner of India]]
| website = {{URL|eci.gov.in|Official Website}}
| name = Election Commission of India
| seal =
| employees = Around 300<ref name=":0" />
| budget =
| chief4_name =
| chief4_position =
| chief5_name =
| chief5_position =
| chief6_name =
| chief6_position =
| chief7_name =
| chief7_position =
| chief8_name =
| chief8_position =
| chief9_name =
| chief9_position =
| parent_department =
| type = Commission
| coordinates = {{Coordinates|28.623902|77.21140000000003|display=inline, title}}
}}
{{Politics of India}}
{{Elections}}
The '''Election Commission of India''' is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering [[Elections in India|election processes in India]] at national and state level. The body administers elections to the [[Lok Sabha]], [[Rajya Sabha]], [[State legislative assemblies of India|State Legislative Assemblies]], [[State legislative councils of India|State Legislative Councils]] and the offices of the [[President of India|President]] and [[Vice President of India|Vice President]] of the country.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/HandBooks/The_Presidential_and_Vice-Presidential_Elections_Act-1952.pdf|title=The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 (Act No. 31 of 1952)|date=14 March 1952|website=Election Commission of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009064851/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/HandBooks/The_Presidential_and_Vice-Presidential_Elections_Act-1952.pdf|archive-date=9 October 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The Election Commission operates under the authority of [[Constitution of India|Constitution]] per ''Article 324'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(21).pdf|title=Part XV of the Constitution of India - Elections - Article 324|website=[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203131609/http://lawmin.nic.in/olwing/coi/coi-english/Const.Pock%202Pg.Rom8Fsss(21).pdf|archive-date=3 December 2011|url-status=dead|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> and subsequently enacted [[Representation of the People Act (India)|Representation of the People Act]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/legislative/election/volume%201/representation%20of%20the%20people%20act,%201951.pdf|title=The Representation of the People Act, 1951|website=[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501024716/http://lawmin.nic.in/legislative/election/volume%201/representation%20of%20the%20people%20act,%201951.pdf|archive-date=1 May 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The commission has the powers under the Constitution, to act in an appropriate manner when the enacted laws make insufficient provisions to deal with a given situation in the conduct of an election. Being a constitutional authority, Election Commission is amongst the few institutions which function with both autonomy and freedom, along with the country’s [[Supreme Court of India|higher judiciary]], the [[Union Public Service Commission]] and the [[Comptroller and Auditor General of India]].It's a permanent constitutional body.

==Structure==
{{See also|Chief Election Commissioner of India|Election Commissioner of India}}
The commission was established in 1950 and originally only had a [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|Chief Election Commissioner]]. Two additional Commissioners were appointed to the commission for the first time on 16 October 1989 (on the eve of the 1989 General Election), but they had a very short tenure, ending on 1 January 1990. "The Election Commissioner Amendment Act, 1989" was adopted on 1 January 1990 which turned the commission into a multi-member body: a 3-member Commission has been in operation since then and the decisions by the commission are made by a majority vote.<ref name=":0" /> The [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|Chief Election Commissioner]] and the two [[Election Commissioner of India|Election Commissioners]] who are usually [[Indian Administrative Service|retired IAS officers]] draw salaries and allowances at par with those of the Judges of the [[Supreme Court of India]] as per the ''Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1992''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lawmin.nic.in/ld/P-ACT/1991/The%20Election%20Commission%20(Conditions%20of%20Service%20of%20Election%20Commissioners%20and%20Transaction%20of%20Business)%20Act,%201991.pdf|title=The Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991 (Act No. 11 of 1991)|date=25 January 1991|website=[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329161649/http://lawmin.nic.in/ld/P-ACT/1991/The%20Election%20Commission%20(Conditions%20of%20Service%20of%20Election%20Commissioners%20and%20Transaction%20of%20Business)%20Act,%201991.pdf|archive-date=29 March 2017|url-status=dead|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

The commission is served by its secretariat located in [[New Delhi]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/the_setup.aspx|title=About ECI|website=Election Commission of India|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The Election Commissioners are assisted by Deputy Election Commissioners, who are generally [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS officers]]. They are further assisted by Directors General, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries and Under Secretaries.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=Indian Polity|last=Laxmikanth|first=M|publisher=McGraw Hill|year=2017|isbn=9789352603633|pages=42.5}}</ref>

At the state level, Election Commission is assisted by the Chief Electoral Officer of the State, who is an [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS officer]] of [[Principal Secretary (India)|Principal Secretary]] rank. At the district and constituency levels, the [[District collector|District Magistrates]] (in their capacity as District Election Officers), Electoral Registration Officers and Returning Officers perform election work.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

=== Removal from office ===
The [[Chief Election Commissioner of India]] can be [[impeachment|removed]] from their office in a manner similar to the removal of a judge of the [[Supreme Court of India]] which requires a resolution passed by the [[Parliament of India]] a two-thirds majority in both the [[Lok Sabha]] and the [[Rajya Sabha]] on the grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.

Other [[Election Commissioner of India|Election Commissioners]] can be removed by the [[President of India]] on the recommendation of the [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|Chief Election Commissioner]]. A [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|Chief Election Commissioner]] has never been impeached in India.

In 2009, just before the [[2009 Indian general election|2009 Lok Sabha Elections]], [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|Chief Election Commissioner]] [[N. Gopalaswami]] sent a recommendation to President [[prathibha patil|Prathibha Patil]] to remove [[Election Commissioner of India|Election Commissioner]] [[Navin Chawla]], who was soon to take office as the [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|chief election commissioner]] and to subsequently supervise the [[Lok Sabha#Lok Sabha general elections|Lok Sabha general election]], a potential conflict of interest considering his partisan political party behavior.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Chief-Election-Commissioner-Gopalaswami-lsquorecommendsrsquo-removal-of-Navin-Chawla/article16363593.ece|title=Chief Election Commissioner Gopalaswami 'recommends' removal of Navin Chawla|last=Ram|first=N.|date=31 January 2009|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The President opined that such a recommendation is not binding on the president, and hence rejected it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/President-rejects-Gopalaswamirsquos-report-against-Navin-Chawla/article16628274.ece|title=President rejects Gopalaswami's report against Navin Chawla|date=2 March 2009|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> Subsequently, after Gopalswami's retirement the next month, Chawla became the [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|chief election commissioner]] and supervised the 2009 Lok Sabha general elections.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/A-job-well-done/article16596673.ece|title=A job well done|date=15 May 2009|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

==Functions==
{{See also|Election Commission of India's Model Code of Conduct}}
One of the most important features of the democratic policy in India is elections at regular intervals. Holding periodic, free and fair elections are essentials of a democratic system and a part of the basic structure of the Constitution. The Election Commission is regarded as the guardian of elections in the country. In every election, it issues a Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates to conduct elections in a free and fair manner. The commission issued the Code of Conduct for the first time in 1971 for the [[Indian general election, 1971|5th Lok Sabha elections]] and has revised it from time to time. It lays down guidelines for the conduct of political parties and candidates during an election period. However, there have been instances of violation of the code by various political parties with complaints being received for misuse of official machinery by the candidates.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/model-code-is-only-moral-code-but-carries-weight/|title=Model Code is only moral code, but carries weight|last=Chhibber|first=Maneesh|date=5 November 2015|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.prsindia.org/theprsblog/?p=3146|title=Model Code of Conduct and the 2014 General Elections|authors=Joyita|date=14 April 2014|website=[[PRS Legislative Research]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The code does not have any specific statutory basis but only a persuasive effect.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> It contains the rules of electoral morality.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> However, this lack of statutory backing does not prevent the commission from enforcing it.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.india.com/news/india/uttar-pradesh-assembly-election-2017-dates-announced-by-election-commission-get-schedule-of-polling-and-results-of-up-state-elections-2017-1737457/|title=UP poll dates announced, results on March 11|last=Iqbal|first=Aadil Ikram Zaki|date=4 January 2017|website=India|publisher=[[Essel Group]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/election-commission-enforces-model-code-of-conduct-in-manipur/story-aIc1xuwpRIrzlcAE9gqrwM.html|title=Election Commission enforces model code of conduct in Manipur|date=5 January 2017|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/news/politics/gujarat-himachal-get-dates-for-assembly-polls-274363.html|title=Gujarat, Himachal get dates for Assembly polls|last=Sharma|first=Test|date=10 October 2007|website=[[CNN-News18|News18]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

A law for the registration process for political parties was enacted in 1989 and a number of parties got registered with the commission.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/OrdersNotifications/Registration_of_Political_Party.pdf|title=Registration of political parties under section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951|date=23 March 1992|website=Election Commission of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014194712/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/OrdersNotifications/Registration_of_Political_Party.pdf|archive-date=14 October 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The registration helps avoid confusion and ensures that the political parties are brought under the purview of the commission.

The election commission has the right to allow symbols to the political parties. It gives recognition to the national parties, state parties and regional parties. It sets limits on poll expenses. The commission prepare electoral rolls and update the voter's list from time to time. Notifications of dates and schedules of election for filing nominations are issued by the commission. It is noteworthy that Election commission cannot allot same symbol to two regional political parties even if they are not in the same state.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/HandBooks/HANDBOOK%20OF%20SYMBOLS.pdf|title=Handbook of Symbols, 2004|date=2004|website=Election Commission of India|at=Clause 9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111174305/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/HandBooks/HANDBOOK%20OF%20SYMBOLS.pdf|archive-date=11 January 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

The commission is empowered with prohibiting dissemination or publication of voting trends that seek to influence voters by [[opinion polls]] or [[exit polls]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/archive/instruction/recent/media/pnxitpoll_FINAL.html|title=Subject - Guidelines for Publication and Dissemination of Results of Opinion Polls/Exit Polls.|date=20 January 1998|website=Election Commission of India|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/news/election-commission-bans-exit-polls-in-election-bound-states/articleshow/56856902.cms|title=Election Commission bans exit polls in election-bound states|date=29 January 2017|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/exit-polls-and-why-they-are-restricted-by-the-panel-dainik-jagran-editor-arrest-4527055/|title=Exit polls and why they are restricted by the panel: All your questions answered|last=Chopra|first=Ritika|date=16 February 2017|website=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

To curb the growing influence of money during elections, the Election Commission has made many suggestions and changes in this regard. The commission has appointed IRS officers of the Income Tax Department as Election Observers (Expenditure) of all elections and has fixed the legal limits on the amount of money which a candidate can spend during election campaigns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/rk-nagar-byelection-observers-appointed/articleshow/57796448.cms|title=RK Nagar byelection: Observers appointed|last=Kumar|first=Pradeep|date=23 March 2017|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2017/mar/31/deployment-of-observers-in-rk-nagar-a-new-national-record-election-commission-1588080.html|title=Deployment of observers in RK Nagar a new national record: Election Commission|date=31 March 2017|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> These limits have been revised over time. The Election Commission, by appointing expenditure observers from the [[Indian Revenue Service]], keeps an eye on the individual account of election expenditure. The commission takes details of the candidate's assets on affidavit at the time of submitting nomination paper, who are also required to give details of their expenditure within 30 days of the declaration of results. The campaign period has also been reduced by the commission from 21 to 14 days for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections to cut down election expenditure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/the_function.aspx#campaign|title=The Function (Electoral System)|website=Election Commission of India|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

In an attempt to decriminalise politics, the Election Commission has approached the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] to put a lifetime ban on convicted politicians from contesting elections.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/ec-supports-lifetime-ban-on-convicts-from-contesting-4577960/|title=Election Commission supports lifetime ban on convicts from contesting|last=Anand|first=Utkarsh|date=21 March 2017|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=9 September 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/lifetime-ban-on-convicted-netas-supreme-court-seeks-center-election-commissions-views/articleshow/54338187.cms|title=Lifetime ban on convicted netas: Supreme Court seeks Center, Election Commission's views|last=Rautray|first=Samanwaya|date=15 September 2016|work=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

===Voter Id===
In an effort to prevent electoral fraud, in 1993, EPICs or Electors Photo Identity Cards were issued, which became mandatory by the [[2004 Indian general election|2004 elections]]. However [[Ration card (India)|ration cards]] have been allowed for election purposes in certain situations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/when-using-ration-card-as-identity-proof-entire-family-should-vote/|title=When using ration card as identity proof, entire family should vote|date=8 October 2009|work=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

==Voting Procedure==

Voting in India is done using [[Electronic voting machines]] or EVMs,<ref name="ECI-The setup"/> there is also a provision for the * [[Postal voting#India|Postal voting in India]],<ref name=IndiaPostVote1/><ref name=IndiaPostVote2/> as well as the special arrangements for the disabled voters.<ref name=disa1/><ref name=disa2/>

===Electronic voting machines (EVM)===
India has been the first country to adopt Electronic Voting at such a large scale. [[Electronic voting machines]] (EVM) were introduced by Election Commission in order to reduce malpractices and improve efficiency. They were tried for the first time on an experimental basis for the 1982 [[Kerala]] State Legislative Assembly Elections. After a successful testing and the legal inquiries, the commission took the decision to begin the use of these voting machines.<ref name="ECI-The setup">{{cite web |url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/the_setup.aspx |title=A Constitutional Body |publisher=Election Commission of India}}</ref>

The introduction of [[Voter-verified paper audit trail]] (VVPAT) in eight Lok Sabha constituencies in 2014 Indian General Elections was a big achievement for the Election Commission.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/473723-india-devises-flawless-ballot-mechanism|title=India devises flawless ballot mechanism|date=19 December 2013|website=[[The News International]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> This [[Voter-verified paper audit trail]] (VVPAT) system was first used with EVMs in a by-poll in September 2013 in [[Noksen (Assembly Constituency)]] in [[Nagaland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-04/news/41765831_1_npf-verifiable-paper-audit-trail-vvpat|title=VVPAT used or the first time in Noksen bypolls|last=Singh|first=Bikash|date=4 September 2013|website=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> and eventually in all elections from September 2013 onwards in various [[State Assembly elections in India|Legislative elections]] in the country.[[File:NOTA Option Logo.png|thumb|NOTA Voting Symbol in India]]

Photo electoral rolls with photographs of the candidates on the EVMs were first introduced in the [[2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Now-photos-of-candidates-on-EVMs-to-weed-out-dummies/articleshow/46739479.cms|title=Now, photos of candidates on EVMs to weed out 'dummies'|last=Shivadekar|first=Sanjeev|date=30 March 2015|website=[[Times of India]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/contesting-the-bihar-polls-dummy-candidates-are-no-more-a-worry|title=Contesting the Bihar Polls? Dummy Candidates Beware|last=Virk|first=Aviral|date=21 September 2015|website=[[The Quint]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

In 2014, [[none of the above]] or NOTA was also added as an option on the voting machines which is now a mandatory option to be provided in any election.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/election-commission-okays-nota-option/article5231871.ece|title=Election Commission okays NOTA option|last=Joshua|first=Anita|date=13 October 2013|website=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/NOTA-to-be-provided-in-general-elections/articleshow/31469556.cms|title=NOTA to be provided in general elections|date=5 March 2014|website=[[The Times of India]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305193206/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/NOTA-to-be-provided-in-general-elections/articleshow/31469556.cms|archive-date=5 March 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> The specific symbol for NOTA, a ballot paper with a black cross across it, was introduced on 18 September 2015. The symbol has been designed by [[National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad]].<ref name="dna 2015">{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-now-nota-has-a-political-symbol-too-2126476|title=Now, 'NOTA' has an electoral symbol too|date=18 September 2015|website=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref>

Election Commission organised an open hackathon on 3 June 2017, to attempt hacking of Electronic Voting Machine used by the commission in various Indian elections.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/aap-calls-ecs-evm-challenge-farce-begins-registration-for-its-hackathon/articleshow/58975280.cms|title=AAP calls EC's EVM challenge 'farce', begins registration for its hackathon|date=3 June 2017|work=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/election-commission-evm-challenge-today-aap-hackathon-too-10-points-1707370|title=The EVM (Vote Machine) 'Hackathons' That Weren't: 10 Points|last=Prabhu|first=Sunil|date=3 June 2017|work=[[NDTV]]|access-date=9 September 2017|editor-last=Tikku|editor-first=Aloke}}</ref> The [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]] and [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI(M)]] were the only two parties that registered for the event but none of them participated.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/evm-hackathon-challenge-ncp-cpm-didnt-participate-but-understood-the-process-says-ec-3513855.html|title=EVM 'hackathon' challenge: NCP, CPM didn't participate, but understood the process, says EC|date=3 June 2017|work=[[Firstpost]]|access-date=9 September 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Functioning of [[Electronic voting machine|EVMs]] and [[Voter-verified paper audit trail|VVPAT]] machines were demonstrated to the teams.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

=== Postal voting ===
[[Postal voting#India|Postal voting in India]] is done only through the ''"Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot Papers (ETPB)"'' system of Election Commission of India, ballot papers are distributed to the registered eligible voters who return the votes by post. Postal votes are counted first before the counting of votes from the EVM. Only certain categories of people are eligible to register as postal voters. Employees working in the union armed forces and state police as well as their spouses, and those working for the [[Government of India]] who are officially posted abroad can register for the postal vote, these are also called the ''"Service voters"''. People in [[preventive detention]] can use postal vote. Prisoners can not vote at all.<ref name=IndiaPostVote1>[https://www.firstpost.com/india/postal-ballots-who-can-vote-through-etpb-how-to-get-registered-and-how-the-voting-is-done-an-explainer-6372611.html Postal ballots: Who can vote through ETPB, how to get registered and how the voting is done; an explainer], First Post, 2 April 2019.</ref><ref name=IndiaPostVote2>[https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/postal-ballots-how-to-vote-if-you-live-away-from-home_in_5c3c3d91e4b0e0baf53ec910 Maharashtra, Haryana Elections 2019: Can You Vote By Postal Ballot If You Aren't Living At Home?], HUffington Post, 26 September 2019.</ref>

=== Electors with disabilities ===
The Election Commission of India came under severe criticism when an [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] application filed by activist [[Satendra Singh (doctor)|Dr Satendra Singh]] revealed the commission's ill-preparedness to safeguard electors with disabilities in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.<ref name=disa1>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Polls-near-but-no-data-of-voters-with-disabilities/articleshow/29432418.cms|title=Polls near, but no data of voters with disabilities|last=Gohain|first=Manash Pratim|date=27 January 2014|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|access-date=9 September 2017}}</ref> There were many violations of the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] order from 2014 to enfranchise persons with disabilities.<ref name=disa2>{{cite news|url=http://www.punjabkesari.in/news/article-210889|title=विकलांगों के लिए गंभीर नहीं चुनाव आयोग|date=26 January 2014|newspaper=[[Punjab Kesari]]|access-date=9 September 2017|language=hi|trans-title=Election Commission not serious about persons with disablities}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[History of democracy#Indian subcontinent|History of democracy in the Indian-subcontinent]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* Election Commission of India [https://www.eci.gov.in Official Portal]
*
* [https://electoralsearch.in/ ECI : Voter Information]
*[https://www.nvsp.in/ National Voters Service Portal] This service is provided by the ECI. Users can search their name by providing their details such as State Name, First Name, Last Name, Assembly Constituency Name, Gender, etc. to perform the search. District-wise search option is also available.
*
*[https://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=rec/tech/comp&document=p5&lang=e Election Commission of India] profile by Elections Canada.
*
{{collapse top|title=Links to Chief Electoral Officers of states and union territories}}
'''29 States of India'''
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Andhra Pradesh]] [http://ceoandhra.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Arunachal Pradesh]] [http://ceoarunachal.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Assam]] [http://ceoassam.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar]] [http://ceobihar.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Chhattisgarh]] [https://ceochhattisgarh.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Goa]] [https://ceogoa.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Gujarat]] [https://ceo.gujarat.gov.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana]] [http://ceoharyana.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Himachal Pradesh]] [https://ceohimachal.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu and Kashmir]] [http://ceojammukashmir.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Jharkhand]] [http://secjharkhand.nic.in/HomePage.htm Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka]] [https://www.ceokarnataka.kar.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala]] [http://www.ceo.kerala.gov.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Madhya Pradesh]] [http://ceomadhyapradesh.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra]] [https://ceo.maharashtra.gov.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur]] [https://ceomanipur.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya]] [http://ceomeghalaya.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Mizoram]] [https://ceo.mizoram.gov.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland]] [http://ceonagaland.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha]] [http://www.ceoorissa.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab]] [http://ceopunjab.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Rajasthan]] [https://ceorajasthan.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Sikkim]] [http://ceosikkim.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu]] [http://www.elections.tn.gov.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana]] [https://ceotelangana.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Tripura]] [http://ceotripura.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Uttar Pradesh]] [http://ceouttarpradesh.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Uttarakhand]] [http://ceo.uk.gov.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal]] [http://ceowestbengal.nic.in Official Portal]
{{div col end}}

'''7 union territories of India'''

* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] [http://as1.and.nic.in/newelection/index.php Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Chandigarh]] [https://ceochandigarh.gov.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Dadra and Nagar Haveli]] [http://ceodnh.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Daman and Diu]] [http://ceodaman.nic.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi]] [https://ceodelhi.gov.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Lakshadweep]] [http://ceolakshadweep.gov.in Official Portal]
* [[Chief Electoral Officer, Puducherry]] [https://ceopuducherry.py.gov.in Official Portal]
{{collapse bottom}}

{{Indian commissions}}

{{Chief Election Commissioners of India}}
{{Indian elections}}
{{National election commissions}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Election Commission of India| ]]
[[Category:Indian commissions and inquiries]]
[[Category:1950 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1950]]
[[Category:Election commissions|India]]