Election Commission of India: Difference between revisions

Election Commission of India
	Official logo
Constitutional Body overview
Formed	25 January 1950; 76 years ago; (celebrated as National Voters' Day)
Jurisdiction	India
Headquarters	Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi; 28°37′26″N 77°12′40″E / 28.62389°N 77.21111°E
Employees	~300
Constitutional Body executives	Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of India; Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Election Commissioner of India; Vivek Joshi, Election Commissioner of India;
Website	eci.gov.in (only accessible in India)

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body that is empowered to conduct free and fair elections in India. Established by the Constitution of India, it is headed by a chief election commissioner and consists of two other election commissioners as constituent members. The commission is headquartered in New Delhi.

The election commissioners are appointed by the president of India on the recommendation of a selection committee headed by the prime minister. The term of the chief election commissioner (CEC) can be a maximum of six years provided they do not attain the age of sixty-five years before the expiry of the term. CEC can only be removed by impeachment in the parliament, while election commissioners can be removed by the president on the recommendation of the CEC.

The election commission decides the dates for the filing of nominations, voting, counting and announcement of results for all the elections. At the states and union territories, the elections are supervised by a chief electoral officer, under the direction of the Election Commission. At the district and constituency levels, election related work is carried out by the district election officers, electoral registration officers and returning officers. The commission carries out the registration and recognition of political parties in the country. It prepares electoral rolls, and issues identification for eligible voters. It is also responsible for scrutinizing candidates, allotting ballot symbols, issuing a model code of conduct to be followed by the political parties and candidates, and monitoring election spends.

Structure[edit | edit source]

In 1950, the Election Commission of India was established as a single member body. As per The Election Commissioner Amendment Act, 1989, the commission was made a multi-member body headed by a chief election commissioner and two other election commissioners, who were appointed to the commission for the first time on 16 October 1989. On 1 January 1990, it reverted back to a single member body after the post of election commissioner was abolished, before being restored to the three member structure on 1 October 1993.^[7]^[3] The commission is headed by the chief election commissioner and consists of two other election commissioners.^[3]^[8] The chief election commissioner does not have overruling powers and any decision is taken by the opinion of the majority among the three.^[3]^[9] The commission is assisted by directors generals, principal secretaries, and other officers. The commission is headquartered at Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi.^[3]

At the states and union territories, the elections are supervised by a chief electoral officer appointed by the Election Commission. At the district and constituency levels, election related work is carried out by the district election officers, electoral registration officers and returning officers.^[3]

Appointment and term of office[edit | edit source]

The appointment and term of the election commissioner is prescribed in the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. As per the Section 7 of the act, an election commissioner is appointed by the president of India on the recommendation of a selection committee headed by the prime minister of India and consisting of the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha and a member of the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the Prime Minister.^[10] They were earlier appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister. In March 2023, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the appointments shall be made by a committee consisting of the prime minister, leader of opposition and the chief justice of India and the process would be in place until a new law is enacted with regard to the same.^[11] The new law enacted in 2023, replaced the chief justice with a member appointed by the prime minister in the selection committee,^[12] thus giving the ruling government a dominant role in the appointment of election commissioners.^[13]

The term of the CEC can be a maximum of six years from the date on which they assume their office. However, the CEC retires from office if they attain the age of sixty-five years before the expiry of the term.^[7] While the CEC can only be removed by office through the process of impeachment requiring two-thirds majority of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to be present and voting for the same, election commissioners can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the CEC.^[7]

Powers and functions[edit | edit source]

The Election Commission of India is a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections to the national, the State Legislative Assemblies, State Legislative Councils and the offices of the president and vice-president.^[3]^[14] The Election Commission operates under the powers granted by Article 324 of the Constitution and subsequently enacted Representation of the People Act.^[15]^[16] The State Election Commissions are independent constitutional bodies vested with the responsibility of conducting elections to the local bodies in their respective at the states and union territories.^[7] The election commission decides the dates for the filing of nominations, voting, counting and announcement of results.^[17]^[18]

It issues a Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.^[19] The Code of Conduct was issued for the first time in 1971 for the 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.^[20] Instances of violation of the code by various political parties and misuse of official machinery by the candidates are dealt according to the law.^[21]

A law for the registration process for political parties was enacted in 1989.^[22] The registration ensures that the political parties are recognized as national, state and regional parties. The election commission has the right to allot symbols to the political parties depending on the status. The same symbol cannot be allocated to two political parties even if they do not contest in the region.^[23]

The commission prepares electoral rolls and updates the voter list. To prevent electoral fraud, Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) were introduced in 1993. However certain legal documents such as ration cards have been allowed for voting in certain situations.^[24]

The commission is empowered to prohibit the dissemination or publication of voting trends that seek to influence voters by opinion polls or exit polls.^[25]^[26]^[27]

The Election Commission is responsible for scrutinizing and accepting the applications of the candidates willing to contest in the elections. A person can be disqualified from contesting the elections if incorrect or incomplete information is provided in the affidavits and if they have been convicted by any court in India in which a jail term of two or more years has been awarded.^[28] In 2017, the Election Commission supported the case for a lifetime ban on convicted felons from contesting elections in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court.^[29]^[30]

The Election Commission sets limits on poll related expenditure by the candidates during election campaigns. The commission appoints officers of Indian Revenue Service from the Income Tax Department as election observers.^[31]^[32] The commission takes details of the candidate's assignment in an affidavit at the time of submitting the nomination paper, and they are also required to give details of their expenditure within 30 days of the declaration of results.^[33]

The election commission operates various electronic media including websites and mobile applications for enabling various functions such as addressing grievances, checking electoral rolls, disseminating information on candidates, announcement of results and monitoring of assigned tasks.^[34]^[35]

Voting[edit | edit source]

Voting in India is done using electronic voting machines (EVMs) and there are provisions for postal voting and special arrangements for the disabled.^[3]

Electronic voting machines (EVM) were introduced by the Election Commission to reduce malpractices and improve efficiency. The EVMs were first trialed in 1982 in the by-election to Paravur assembly constituency in Kerala in a limited number of polling stations.^[36] After successful testing and legal inquiries, the commission decided to introduce these voting machines on a large scale.^[3]

EVMs are manufactured by two public sector undertakings, Bharat Electronics and Electronics Corporation of India Limited.^[37] Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) was introduced on a trail basis in a by-poll in September 2013 in Noksen (Assembly Constituency) in Nagaland.^[38] It was later used in various legislative elections and in eight Lok Sabha constituencies in 2014 Indian general election.^[39]

In 2014, none of the above (NOTA) was also added as an option on the voting machines which is now a mandatory option to be provided in any election.^[40]^[41] The specific symbol for NOTA, a ballot paper with a black cross across it, was introduced on 18 September 2015.^[42] Photo electoral rolls with photographs of the candidates on the EVMs were first introduced in the 2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election.^[43]^[44]

Election Commission organised an open hackathon on 3 June 2017 encouraging people to attempt hacking of EVMs used by the commission in various Indian elections.^[45] While none of them participated, functioning of the EVM and VVPAT machines were demonstrated in the event.^[46]

Postal voting in India is done only through electronically transmitted postal ballot papers (ETPB). 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. People in preventive detention can use postal vote while prisoners are not allowed to vote.^[47] The Election Commission of India has granted permission for individuals aged 80 and above and those with physical challenges to cast their votes from their homes.^[48]

The Election Commission of India did not have data with regard to disabilities of voters as ascertained by a RTI application filed in 2014.^[49] The commission offered sign language support to assist voters with speech and hearing impairment.^[50]

References[edit | edit source]

↑ "Election Commission of India". Government of India. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
↑ "Contact Us". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 ^3.5 ^3.6 ^3.7 ^3.8 "A Constitutional Body". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
↑ "Who is Gyanesh Kumar, the new Chief Election Commissioner". The Hindu. 18 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
↑ "Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu take charge as Election Commissioners". The Indian Express. 15 March 2024. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
↑ "Gyanesh Kumar appointed next chief election commissioner". The Hindustan Times. 18 February 2014. Archived from the original on 17 February 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
↑ ^7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 ^7.3 "Election, FAQ". Government of India. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
↑ Laxmikanth, M (2017). Indian Polity. McGraw Hill. p. 42. ISBN 978-9-35260-363-3.
↑ "The Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991 (Act No. 11 of 1991)" (PDF). Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. 25 January 1991. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "SC refuses to stay new law on appointment of CEC and ECs, issues notice to Centre". The Economic Times. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
↑ "Supreme Court Says Committee of PM, Leader of Opposition, CJI Should Appoint Election Commissioners". The Wire. 2 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
↑ "Supreme Court agrees to hear plea against law dropping CJI from committee to select CEC, ECs". The Indian Express. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
↑ "Supreme Court puts off hearing pleas challenging law on CEC appointment". The Hindu. 19 February 2025. Archived from the original on 19 February 2025.
↑ "The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 (Act No. 31 of 1952)" (PDF). Election Commission of India. 14 March 1952. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "Part XV of the Constitution of India – Elections – Article 324" (PDF). Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "The Representation of the People Act, 1951" (PDF). Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Iqbal, Aadil Ikram Zaki (4 January 2017). "UP poll dates announced, results on March 11". India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Sharma, Test (10 October 2007). "Gujarat, Himachal get dates for Assembly polls". News18. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Joyita (14 April 2014). "Model Code of Conduct and the 2014 General Elections". PRS Legislative Research. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "Election Commission enforces model code of conduct in Manipur". The Hindustan Times. 5 January 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Chhibber, Maneesh (5 November 2015). "Model Code is only moral code, but carries weight". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "Registration of political parties under section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951" (PDF). Election Commission of India. 23 March 1992. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "Handbook of Symbols, 2004" (PDF). Election Commission of India. 2004. Clause 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "When using ration card as identity proof, entire family should vote". The Indian Express. 8 October 2009. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "Subject - Guidelines for Publication and Dissemination of Results of Opinion Polls/Exit Polls". Election Commission of India. 20 January 1998. Archived from the original on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "Election Commission bans exit polls in election-bound states". The Times of India. 29 January 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Chopra, Ritika (16 February 2017). "Exit polls and why they are restricted by the panel: All your questions answered". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "A Person is Disqualified to Contest Elections if Conviction Not Stayed: SC". News18. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
↑ Anand, Utkarsh (21 March 2017). "Election Commission supports lifetime ban on convicts from contesting". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Rautray, Samanwaya (15 September 2016). "Lifetime ban on convicted netas: Supreme Court seeks Center, Election Commission's views". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Kumar, Pradeep (23 March 2017). "RK Nagar byelection: Observers appointed". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "Deployment of observers in RK Nagar a new national record: Election Commission". The New Indian Express. 31 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "The Function (Electoral System)". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Varma, Nikhil (17 July 2017). "The technocrats, reinvented". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
↑ "Election Commission of India: Ludhiana district administration develops mobile app for Election Commission of India". The Times of India. 2 January 2017. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
↑ "A brief history of EVMs in India". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
↑ "EVMs, VVPATS designed, manufactured indigenously by 2 PSUs: Government". Business Standard. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
↑ Singh, Bikash (4 September 2013). "VVPAT used or the first time in Noksen bypolls". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "India devises flawless ballot mechanism". The News International. 19 December 2013. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Joshua, Anita (13 October 2013). "Election Commission okays NOTA option". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "NOTA to be provided in general elections". The Times of India. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "Now, 'NOTA' has an electoral symbol too". Daily News and Analysis. 18 September 2015. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Shivadekar, Sanjeev (30 March 2015). "Now, photos of candidates on EVMs to weed out 'dummies'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Virk, Aviral (21 September 2015). "Contesting the Bihar Polls? Dummy Candidates Beware". The Quint. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "AAP calls EC's EVM challenge 'farce', begins registration for its hackathon". The Economic Times. 3 June 2017. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ Prabhu, Sunil (3 June 2017). Tikku, Aloke (ed.). "The EVM (Vote Machine) 'Hackathons' That Weren't: 10 Points". NDTV. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "Maharashtra, Haryana Elections 2019: Can You Vote By Postal Ballot If You Aren't Living At Home?". Huffington Post. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
↑ "EC provides facility to voters above 80 years of age & Divyanga to vote from home". News On AIR. 13 November 2023. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
↑ Gohain, Manash Pratim (27 January 2014). "Polls near, but no data of voters with disabilities". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
↑ "Election commission offers sign language assistance to voters". The Hindustan Times. 9 November 2022. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2023.

External links[edit | edit source]

Election Commission of India – official portal
National Voters Service Portal

[1] "Election Commission of India". Government of India. Archived from the original on 14 April 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.

[2] "Contact Us". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024.

[ECI-3] 3.0 ^3.1 ^3.2 ^3.3 ^3.4 ^3.5 ^3.6 ^3.7 ^3.8 "A Constitutional Body". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 5 January 2012.

[4] "Who is Gyanesh Kumar, the new Chief Election Commissioner". The Hindu. 18 February 2014. Archived from the original on 18 February 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[ECC-5] "Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu take charge as Election Commissioners". The Indian Express. 15 March 2024. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.

[6] "Gyanesh Kumar appointed next chief election commissioner". The Hindustan Times. 18 February 2014. Archived from the original on 17 February 2025. Retrieved 18 February 2024.

[CEC-7] 7.0 ^7.1 ^7.2 ^7.3 "Election, FAQ". Government of India. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2023.

[8] Laxmikanth, M (2017). Indian Polity. McGraw Hill. p. 42. ISBN 978-9-35260-363-3.

[9] "The Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991 (Act No. 11 of 1991)" (PDF). Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. 25 January 1991. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[10] "SC refuses to stay new law on appointment of CEC and ECs, issues notice to Centre". The Economic Times. 13 February 2024. Archived from the original on 4 May 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.

[11] "Supreme Court Says Committee of PM, Leader of Opposition, CJI Should Appoint Election Commissioners". The Wire. 2 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.

[12] "Supreme Court agrees to hear plea against law dropping CJI from committee to select CEC, ECs". The Indian Express. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.

[13] "Supreme Court puts off hearing pleas challenging law on CEC appointment". The Hindu. 19 February 2025. Archived from the original on 19 February 2025.

[14] "The Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952 (Act No. 31 of 1952)" (PDF). Election Commission of India. 14 March 1952. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[15] "Part XV of the Constitution of India – Elections – Article 324" (PDF). Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[16] "The Representation of the People Act, 1951" (PDF). Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[17] Iqbal, Aadil Ikram Zaki (4 January 2017). "UP poll dates announced, results on March 11". India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[18] Sharma, Test (10 October 2007). "Gujarat, Himachal get dates for Assembly polls". News18. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[19] Joyita (14 April 2014). "Model Code of Conduct and the 2014 General Elections". PRS Legislative Research. Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[20] "Election Commission enforces model code of conduct in Manipur". The Hindustan Times. 5 January 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[21] Chhibber, Maneesh (5 November 2015). "Model Code is only moral code, but carries weight". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[22] "Registration of political parties under section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951" (PDF). Election Commission of India. 23 March 1992. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 October 2010. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[23] "Handbook of Symbols, 2004" (PDF). Election Commission of India. 2004. Clause 9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[24] "When using ration card as identity proof, entire family should vote". The Indian Express. 8 October 2009. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[25] "Subject - Guidelines for Publication and Dissemination of Results of Opinion Polls/Exit Polls". Election Commission of India. 20 January 1998. Archived from the original on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[26] "Election Commission bans exit polls in election-bound states". The Times of India. 29 January 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[27] Chopra, Ritika (16 February 2017). "Exit polls and why they are restricted by the panel: All your questions answered". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[28] "A Person is Disqualified to Contest Elections if Conviction Not Stayed: SC". News18. 9 December 2020. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.

[29] Anand, Utkarsh (21 March 2017). "Election Commission supports lifetime ban on convicts from contesting". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[30] Rautray, Samanwaya (15 September 2016). "Lifetime ban on convicted netas: Supreme Court seeks Center, Election Commission's views". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[31] Kumar, Pradeep (23 March 2017). "RK Nagar byelection: Observers appointed". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[32] "Deployment of observers in RK Nagar a new national record: Election Commission". The New Indian Express. 31 March 2017. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[33] "The Function (Electoral System)". Election Commission of India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[34] Varma, Nikhil (17 July 2017). "The technocrats, reinvented". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.

[35] "Election Commission of India: Ludhiana district administration develops mobile app for Election Commission of India". The Times of India. 2 January 2017. Archived from the original on 31 May 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2022.

[Intro-36] "A brief history of EVMs in India". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 April 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2023.

[37] "EVMs, VVPATS designed, manufactured indigenously by 2 PSUs: Government". Business Standard. 17 March 2023. Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.

[38] Singh, Bikash (4 September 2013). "VVPAT used or the first time in Noksen bypolls". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[39] "India devises flawless ballot mechanism". The News International. 19 December 2013. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[40] Joshua, Anita (13 October 2013). "Election Commission okays NOTA option". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[41] "NOTA to be provided in general elections". The Times of India. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[42] "Now, 'NOTA' has an electoral symbol too". Daily News and Analysis. 18 September 2015. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[43] Shivadekar, Sanjeev (30 March 2015). "Now, photos of candidates on EVMs to weed out 'dummies'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[44] Virk, Aviral (21 September 2015). "Contesting the Bihar Polls? Dummy Candidates Beware". The Quint. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[45] "AAP calls EC's EVM challenge 'farce', begins registration for its hackathon". The Economic Times. 3 June 2017. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[46] Prabhu, Sunil (3 June 2017). Tikku, Aloke (ed.). "The EVM (Vote Machine) 'Hackathons' That Weren't: 10 Points". NDTV. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[47] "Maharashtra, Haryana Elections 2019: Can You Vote By Postal Ballot If You Aren't Living At Home?". Huffington Post. 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 30 July 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.

[48] "EC provides facility to voters above 80 years of age & Divyanga to vote from home". News On AIR. 13 November 2023. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.

[49] Gohain, Manash Pratim (27 January 2014). "Polls near, but no data of voters with disabilities". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2017.

[50] "Election commission offers sign language assistance to voters". The Hindustan Times. 9 November 2022. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2023.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|Election regulatory body of India}}
-{{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 Commissioner of India}}
+{{Distinguish|Election Commissioner of India|State election commission (India)}}
-{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}}
+{{Use Indian English|date=April 2024}}
 {{Infobox government agency
 | nativename_a    =
-| logo            =
+| seal_caption    =
-| logo_width      = 90
+| logo            = Election Commission of India Logo.svg
-| logo_caption    = The official logo of the Election Commission of India
+| logo_width      = 120px
-| formed          = {{Start date and age|1950|01|25|df=yes}}<br />(Later celebrated as [[National Voters' Day]])
+| logo_caption    = Official logo<ref>{{cite web|title=Election Commission of India|url=https://presentations.gov.in/logos/election-commission-of-india/|access-date=21 March 2024|publisher=[[Government of India]]|archive-date=14 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414134428/https://presentations.gov.in/logos/election-commission-of-india/|url-status=live}}</ref>
-| jurisdiction    = [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]
+| formed          = {{Start date and age|1950|01|25|df=yes}}<br/>(celebrated as [[National Voters' Day]])
-| 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>
+| jurisdiction    = India
+| headquarters    = Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, [[New Delhi]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eci.gov.in/contact-us|title=Contact Us|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=1 January 2024|archive-date=11 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111095117/https://www.eci.gov.in/contact-us|url-status=live}}</ref>
+| coordinates     = {{Coordinates|28|37|26|N|77|12|40|E|display=inline, title}}
 | chief1_position = [[Chief Election Commissioner of India]]
-| chief1_name     = '''[[Sushil Chandra]] ''', [[Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax)|IRS (IT)]]
+| chief1_name     = [[Gyanesh Kumar]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Who is Gyanesh Kumar, the new Chief Election Commissioner|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/who-is-gyanesh-kumar-the-new-chief-election-commissioner/article69232457.ece|access-date=18 February 2024|date=18 February 2014|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|archive-date=18 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250218061159/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/who-is-gyanesh-kumar-the-new-chief-election-commissioner/article69232457.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
-| chief2_name     = ''' Rajiv Kumar ''', [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] ([[Retired|Retd.]])
+| chief2_name     = [[Sukhbir Singh Sandhu]]<ref name="ECC">{{cite news|date=15 March 2024|title=Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu take charge as Election Commissioners|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gyanesh-kumar-sukhbir-singh-sandhu-take-charge-as-election-commissioners-9215260/|access-date=17 March 2024|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|archive-date=17 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317023939/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/gyanesh-kumar-sukhbir-singh-sandhu-take-charge-as-election-commissioners-9215260/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | chief2_position = [[Election Commissioner of India]]
-| chief3_name     = '''[[Anup Chandra Pandey]] ''',  [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
+| chief3_name     = [[Vivek Joshi]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gyanesh-kumar-named-new-chief-election-commissioner-101739805476783.html|title=Gyanesh Kumar appointed next chief election commissioner|access-date=18 February 2024|date=18 February 2014|newspaper=[[The Hindustan Times]]|archive-date=17 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250217181931/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gyanesh-kumar-named-new-chief-election-commissioner-101739805476783.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
 | chief3_position = [[Election Commissioner of India]]
-| website         = {{URL|eci.gov.in|Official Website}}
+| website         = {{URL|eci.gov.in}} {{link note|note=only accessible in India}}
 | name            = Election Commission of India
 | seal            =
-| employees       = Around 300<ref name=":0" />
+| seal_size       =
+| employees       = ~300<ref name="ECI"/>
 | budget          =
-| chief4_name     =
+| type            = [[Constitution of India|Constitutional Body]]
-| 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
-| region_code     = {{flag|India}}
-| coordinates     = {{Coordinates|28.623902|77.21140000000003|display=inline, title}}
 }}
 {{Politics of India}}
 {{Elections}}
-The '''Election Commission of India''' ('''ECI''') is an [[statute|autonomous body]] under the [[ownership]] of [[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]. It is 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|year=2017|isbn=978-93-5260-363-3|oclc=999389825}}</ref>
+The '''Election Commission of India''' ('''ECI''') is a [[constitutional body]] that is empowered to conduct free and fair elections in India. Established by the [[Constitution of India]], it is headed by a [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|chief election commissioner]] and consists of two other [[Election Commissioner of India|election commissioner]]s as constituent members. The commission is headquartered in [[New Delhi]].
-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
+The election commissioners are appointed by the [[president of India]] on the recommendation of a selection committee headed by the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister]]. The term of the chief election commissioner (CEC) can be a maximum of six years provided they do not attain the age of sixty-five years before the expiry of the term. CEC can only be removed by impeachment in the [[Parliament of India|parliament]], while election commissioners can be removed by the president on the recommendation of the CEC.
-==Structure==
+The election commission decides the dates for the filing of nominations, voting, counting and announcement of results for all the elections. At the states and union territories, the elections are supervised by a chief electoral officer, under the direction of the Election Commission. At the district and constituency levels, election related work is carried out by the district election officers, electoral registration officers and returning officers. The commission carries out the registration and recognition of political parties in the country. It prepares electoral rolls, and issues identification for eligible voters. It is also responsible for scrutinizing candidates, allotting ballot symbols, issuing a model code of conduct to be followed by the political parties and candidates, and monitoring election spends.
+== Structure ==
 {{See also|Chief Election Commissioner of India|Election Commissioner of India}}
-The commission was established in 1950 and originally only had one [[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>
+In 1950, the Election Commission of India was established as a single member body. As per ''The Election Commissioner Amendment Act, 1989'', the commission was made a multi-member body headed by a [[Chief Election Commissioner of India|chief election commissioner]] and two other [[Election Commissioner of India|election commissioner]]s, who were appointed to the commission for the first time on 16 October 1989. On 1 January 1990, it reverted back to a single member body after the post of election commissioner was abolished, before being restored to the three member structure on 1 October 1993.<ref name="CEC"/><ref name="ECI"/> The commission is headed by the chief election commissioner and consists of two other election commissioners.<ref name="ECI"/><ref>{{cite book|title=Indian Polity|last=Laxmikanth|first=M|publisher=McGraw Hill|year=2017|isbn=978-9-35260-363-3|pages=42}}</ref> The chief election commissioner does not have overruling powers and any decision is taken by the opinion of the majority among the three.<ref name="ECI"/><ref>{{cite web|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|publisher=[[Ministry of Law and Justice (India)|Ministry of Law and Justice]], [[Government of India]]|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|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 assisted by directors generals, principal secretaries, and other officers. The commission is headquartered at Nirvachan Sadan in [[New Delhi]].<ref name="ECI"/>
-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 ===
+At the [[States and union territories of India|states and union territories]], the elections are supervised by a chief electoral officer appointed by the Election Commission. At the district and constituency levels, election related work is carried out by the district election officers, electoral registration officers and returning officers.<ref name="ECI"/>
-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.
+== Appointment and term of office ==
+The appointment and term of the election commissioner is prescribed in the [[Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023]]. As per the Section 7 of the act, an election commissioner is appointed by the [[president of India]] on the recommendation of a selection committee headed by the [[Prime Minister of India|prime minister of India]] and consisting of the [[Leader of the Opposition (India)|leader of the opposition]] in [[Lok Sabha]] and a member of the [[Union Council of Ministers]] to be nominated by the Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/sc-refuses-to-stay-new-law-on-appointment-of-cec-ecs-by-panel-excluding-cji-issues-notice/articleshow/107659220.cms?from=mdr|title=SC refuses to stay new law on appointment of CEC and ECs, issues notice to Centre|date=13 February 2024|access-date=1 April 2024|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|archive-date=4 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240504233103/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/sc-refuses-to-stay-new-law-on-appointment-of-cec-ecs-by-panel-excluding-cji-issues-notice/articleshow/107659220.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref> They were earlier appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister. In March 2023, the [[Supreme Court of India]] ruled that the appointments shall be made by a committee consisting of the prime minister, leader of opposition and the [[Chief Justice of India|chief justice of India]] and the process would be in place until a new law is enacted with regard to the same.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-says-committee-of-pm-leader-of-opposition-cji-should-appoint-election-commissioners|title=Supreme Court Says Committee of PM, Leader of Opposition, CJI Should Appoint Election Commissioners|date=2 March 2023|access-date=1 June 2024|work=The Wire|archive-date=3 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603084002/https://thewire.in/law/supreme-court-says-committee-of-pm-leader-of-opposition-cji-should-appoint-election-commissioners|url-status=live}}</ref> The new law enacted in 2023, replaced the chief justice with a member appointed by the prime minister in the selection committee,<ref>{{cite news|date=14 March 2024|title=Supreme Court agrees to hear plea against law dropping CJI from committee to select CEC, ECs|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-plea-against-law-dropping-cji-from-committee-to-select-cec-ecs-9213094/|access-date=3 June 2024|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|archive-date=3 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603071538/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-plea-against-law-dropping-cji-from-committee-to-select-cec-ecs-9213094/|url-status=live}}</ref> thus giving the ruling government a dominant role in the appointment of election commissioners.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2025 |title=Supreme Court puts off hearing pleas challenging law on CEC appointment |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-postpones-hearing-of-pleas-challenging-cec-appointment-law/article69237757.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219101449/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-postpones-hearing-of-pleas-challenging-cec-appointment-law/article69237757.ece |archive-date=19 February 2025 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
-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>
+The term of the CEC can be a maximum of six years from the date on which they assume their office. However, the CEC retires from office if they attain the age of sixty-five years before the expiry of the term.<ref name="CEC">{{cite web|url=https://www.ceoandaman.nic.in/election/gfaq.php|title=Election, FAQ|publisher=Government of India|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=2 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302175339/https://www.ceoandaman.nic.in/election/gfaq.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> While the CEC can only be removed by office through the process of impeachment requiring two-thirds majority of the Lok Sabha and the [[Rajya Sabha]] to be present and voting for the same, election commissioners can be removed by the President on the recommendation of the CEC.<ref name="CEC"/>
-==Functions==
+==Powers and 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>
+The Election Commission of India is a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections to the [[Parliament of India|national]], the [[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]].<ref name="ECI"/><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|publisher=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 powers granted by [[Part XV of the Constitution of India|Article 324]] of the [[Constitution of India|Constitution]] and subsequently enacted [[Representation of the People Act (India)|Representation of the People Act]].<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|publisher=[[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><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|publisher=[[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 [[State election commission (India)|State Election Commissions]] are independent constitutional bodies vested with the responsibility of conducting elections to the [[Local government in India|local bodies]] in their respective  at the [[States and union territories of India|states and union territories]].<ref name="CEC" /> The election commission decides the dates for the filing of nominations, voting, counting and announcement of results.<ref>{{cite news|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|work=India|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053034/https://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/|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|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|work=[[News18]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053047/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/gujarat-himachal-get-dates-for-assembly-polls-274363.html|url-status=live }}</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>
+It issues a [[Election Commission of India's Model Code of Conduct|Model Code of Conduct]] for political parties and candidates to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.prsindia.org/theprsblog/model-code-conduct-and-2014-general-elections|title=Model Code of Conduct and the 2014 General Elections|author=Joyita|date=14 April 2014|work=[[PRS Legislative Research]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=28 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128035201/http://www.prsindia.org/theprsblog/model-code-conduct-and-2014-general-elections|url-status=live }}</ref> The Code of Conduct was issued 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.<ref>{{cite news|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|newspaper=[[The Hindustan Times]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225052944/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/election-commission-enforces-model-code-of-conduct-in-manipur/story-aIc1xuwpRIrzlcAE9gqrwM.html|url-status=live }}</ref> Instances of violation of the code by various political parties and misuse of official machinery by the candidates are dealt according to the law.<ref>{{cite news|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|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053020/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/model-code-is-only-moral-code-but-carries-weight/|url-status=live }}</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>
+A law for the registration process for political parties was enacted in 1989.<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|publisher=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 ensures that the political parties are recognized as national, state and regional parties. The election commission has the right to allot symbols to the political parties depending on the status. The same symbol cannot be allocated to two political parties even if they do not contest in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/HandBooks/HANDBOOK%20OF%20SYMBOLS.pdf|title=Handbook of Symbols, 2004|date=2004|publisher=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>
-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>
+The commission prepares electoral rolls and updates the voter list. To prevent electoral fraud, Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) were introduced in 1993. However certain legal documents such as [[Ration card (India)|ration cards]] have been allowed for voting 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|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225052956/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/when-using-ration-card-as-identity-proof-entire-family-should-vote/|url-status=live }}</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>
+The commission is empowered to prohibit the 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|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=6 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106015453/http://eci.nic.in/archive/instruction/recent/media/pnxitpoll_FINAL.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|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|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225052946/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/news/election-commission-bans-exit-polls-in-election-bound-states/articleshow/56856902.cms|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|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|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053038/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/exit-polls-and-why-they-are-restricted-by-the-panel-dainik-jagran-editor-arrest-4527055/|url-status=live }}</ref>
-===Voter Id===
+The Election Commission is responsible for scrutinizing and accepting the applications of the candidates willing to contest in the elections. A person can be disqualified from contesting the elections if incorrect or incomplete information is provided in the affidavits and if they have been convicted by any court in India in which a jail term of two or more years has been awarded.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/a-person-is-disqualified-to-contest-elections-if-conviction-not-stayed-sc-3161558.html|title=A Person is Disqualified to Contest Elections if Conviction Not Stayed: SC|work=News18|date=9 December 2020|access-date=1 December 2023|archive-date=9 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509222837/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/a-person-is-disqualified-to-contest-elections-if-conviction-not-stayed-sc-3161558.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the Election Commission supported the case for a lifetime ban on convicted felons from contesting elections in an affidavit filed in the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]].<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|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|access-date=9 September 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225052952/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ec-supports-lifetime-ban-on-convicts-from-contesting-4577960/|url-status=live }}</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|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053049/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/lifetime-ban-on-convicted-netas-supreme-court-seeks-center-election-commissions-views/articleshow/54338187.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
-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>
-===RONET===
+The Election Commission sets limits on poll related expenditure by the candidates during election campaigns. The commission appoints officers of [[Indian Revenue Service]] from the Income Tax Department as election observers.<ref>{{cite news|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|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053105/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/rk-nagar-byelection-observers-appointed/articleshow/57796448.cms|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://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|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053044/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2017/mar/31/deployment-of-observers-in-rk-nagar-a-new-national-record-election-commission-1588080.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The commission takes details of the candidate's assignment in an affidavit at the time of submitting the nomination paper, and they are also required to give details of their expenditure within 30 days of the declaration of results.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/eci_main1/the_function.aspx#campaign|title=The Function (Electoral System)|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053027/http://eci.nic.in/error.html?aspxerrorpath=%2Feci_main1%2Fthe_function.aspx#campaign|url-status=live }}</ref>
-Software mobile application, developed for Election Commission of India, by 01 Synergy, which makes the voting process less cumbersome and ensure that the general public is aware of the candidates in an election. The RONet suite of web and mobile applications is for all stakeholders involved in the election process. This would help them monitor the assigned tasks at all levels for the smooth conduct of elections.<ref name="thehindu.com">{{cite web| url = https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/a-tech-touch-to-politics/article19296095.ece| title = The technocrats, reinvented - The Hindu}} </ref>
-<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite web| url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/ludhiana-district-administration-develops-mobile-app-for-election-commission-of-india/articleshow/56298504.cms| title = Election Commission of India: Ludhiana district administration develops mobile app for Election Commission of India {{!}} Ludhiana News - Times of India}}</ref>
-<ref name="tribuneindia.com">{{cite web| url = https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/now-dist-admn-comes-up-with-election-mobile-app-345154| title = Now, dist admn comes up with election mobile app}}</ref>
-<ref name="dailypioneer.com">{{cite web| url = https://www.dailypioneer.com/2017/state-editions/2017-10-06-185258.html| title = In brief}}</ref>
-===ECI360===
+The election commission operates various electronic media including [[website]]s and [[mobile applications]] for enabling various functions such as addressing grievances, checking electoral rolls, disseminating information on candidates, announcement of results and monitoring of assigned tasks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/a-tech-touch-to-politics/article19296095.ece|title=The technocrats, reinvented|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=17 July 2017|last1=Varma|first1=Nikhil|access-date=24 September 2021|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924112058/https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/a-tech-touch-to-politics/article19296095.ece|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/ludhiana-district-administration-develops-mobile-app-for-election-commission-of-india/articleshow/56298504.cms|title=Election Commission of India: Ludhiana district administration develops mobile app for Election Commission of India|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|date=2 January 2017|access-date=24 July 2022|archive-date=31 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531051412/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/ludhiana-district-administration-develops-mobile-app-for-election-commission-of-india/articleshow/56298504.cms|url-status=live}}</ref>
-ECI 360 mobile application was developed for the general public — which comprises signed and sworn affidavits of the contesting candidates, a list of rejected candidates, the final list of candidates, pickup requests for voters with disability, queue status (people waiting in line to cast votes), real-time poll booth-wise polling percentage, grievance redressal, and the results. The candidate app of ECI360 allows them to request permissions for rallies and is also mapped with redressal systems, which ensures that all the issues are sorted at the earliest.” <ref name="thehindu.com"/>
-<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/>
-<ref name="tribuneindia.com"/>
-<ref name="dailypioneer.com"/>
-==Voting Procedure==
+== Voting ==
+{{further|Electronic voting in India}}
+[[File:EVM_VVPAT.jpg|thumb|[[Electronic voting machines]] (EVMs) with [[Voter-verified paper audit trail]] (VVPAT)]]
+Voting in India is done using [[electronic voting machines]] (EVMs) and there are provisions for [[Postal voting#India|postal voting]] and special arrangements for the disabled.<ref name="ECI"/>
-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) were introduced by the Election Commission to reduce malpractices and improve efficiency. The EVMs were first trialed in 1982 in the by-election to [[Paravur (State Assembly constituency)|Paravur]] assembly constituency in [[Kerala]] in a limited number of polling stations.<ref name="Intro">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/history-of-electronic-voting-machine-evms-in-india/article68015562.ece|title=A brief history of EVMs in India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=|access-date=1 September 2023|archive-date=8 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408072413/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/history-of-electronic-voting-machine-evms-in-india/article68015562.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> After successful testing and legal inquiries, the commission decided to introduce these voting machines on a large scale.<ref name="ECI">{{cite web|url=https://www.eci.gov.in/about-eci|title=A Constitutional Body|publisher=Election Commission of India|access-date=5 January 2012}}</ref>
-===Electronic voting machines (EVM)===
+EVMs are manufactured by two [[public sector undertakings]], [[Bharat Electronics]] and [[Electronics Corporation of India Limited]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/evms-vvpats-designed-manufactured-indigenously-by-2-psus-government-123031701024_1.html|title=EVMs, VVPATS designed, manufactured indigenously by 2 PSUs: Government|date=17 March 2023|access-date=1 December 2023|work=Business Standard|archive-date=7 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230507011647/https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/evms-vvpats-designed-manufactured-indigenously-by-2-psus-government-123031701024_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Voter-verified paper audit trail]] (VVPAT) was introduced on a trail basis in a by-poll in September 2013 in [[Noksen (Assembly Constituency)]] in [[Nagaland]].<ref>{{cite news|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|archive-date=12 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412002416/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-09-04/news/41765831_1_npf-verifiable-paper-audit-trail-vvpat|url-status=dead }}</ref> It was later used in various [[State Assembly elections in India|legislative elections]] and in eight Lok Sabha constituencies in [[2014 Indian general election]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/473723-india-devises-flawless-ballot-mechanism|title=India devises flawless ballot mechanism|date=19 December 2013|work=[[The News International]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053023/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/473723-india-devises-flawless-ballot-mechanism|url-status=live }}</ref>
-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]]
+[[File:NOTA Option Logo.svg|thumb|left|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]] (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 news|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|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225052954/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/election-commission-okays-nota-option/article5231871.ece|url-status=live }}</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|newspaper=[[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.<ref>{{cite news|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|newspaper=[[Daily News and Analysis]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053012/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-now-nota-has-an-electoral-symbol-too-2126476|url-status=live }}</ref> Photo electoral rolls with photographs of the candidates on the EVMs were first introduced in the [[2015 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]].<ref>{{cite news|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|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053043/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Now-photos-of-candidates-on-EVMs-to-weed-out-dummies/articleshow/46739479.cms|url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|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|work=[[The Quint]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225052947/https://www.thequint.com/news/politics/contesting-the-bihar-polls-dummy-candidates-are-no-more-a-worry|url-status=live }}</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 news|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 encouraging people to attempt hacking of EVMs 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|newspaper=[[The Economic Times]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910050017/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/aap-calls-ecs-evm-challenge-farce-begins-registration-for-its-hackathon/articleshow/58975280.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> While none of them participated, functioning of the EVM and VVPAT machines were demonstrated in the event.<ref>{{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|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225052942/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/election-commission-evm-challenge-today-aap-hackathon-too-10-points-1707370|url-status=live }}</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#India|Postal voting in India]] is done only through electronically transmitted postal ballot papers (ETPB). 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. People in [[preventive detention]] can use postal vote while prisoners are not allowed to vote.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/postal-ballots-how-to-vote-if-you-live-away-from-home_in_5c3c3d91e4b0e0baf53ec910|title=Maharashtra, Haryana Elections 2019: Can You Vote By Postal Ballot If You Aren't Living At Home?|access-date=30 July 2020|work=Huffington Post|date=26 September 2019|archive-date=30 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730172124/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/postal-ballots-how-to-vote-if-you-live-away-from-home_in_5c3c3d91e4b0e0baf53ec910|url-status=live}}</ref> The Election Commission of India has granted permission for individuals aged 80 and above and those with physical challenges to cast their votes from their homes.<ref>{{cite news|title=EC provides facility to voters above 80 years of age & Divyanga to vote from home|work=News On AIR|date=13 November 2023|url=https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=EC-provides-facility-to-voters-above-80-years-of-age-%26-Divyanga-to-vote-from-home&id=470919|access-date=13 November 2023|archive-date=13 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113210133/https://newsonair.gov.in/News?title=EC-provides-facility-to-voters-above-80-years-of-age-&-Divyanga-to-vote-from-home&id=470919|url-status=live}}</ref>
-=== Postal voting ===
+The Election Commission of India did not have data with regard to disabilities of voters as ascertained by a [[Right to Information Act, 2005|RTI]] application filed in 2014.<ref>{{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=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=9 September 2017|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225053101/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Polls-near-but-no-data-of-voters-with-disabilities/articleshow/29432418.cms|url-status=live }}</ref> The commission offered sign language support to assist voters with speech and hearing impairment.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/karnataka-election-commission-offers-sign-language-assistance-to-voters-101667644841341.html|title=Election commission offers sign language assistance to voters|newspaper=[[The Hindustan Times]]|date=9 November 2022|access-date=1 November 2023|archive-date=6 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406190217/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/karnataka-election-commission-offers-sign-language-assistance-to-voters-101667644841341.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
-[[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 ===
+== See also ==
-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>
+*[[2025 Indian electoral controversy]]
+*[[2026 West Bengal election controversies]]
+*[[History of democracy#Indian subcontinent|History of democracy in the Indian-subcontinent]]
+*[[Special Intensive Revision]]
+*[[State election commission (India)|State Election Commission]]
-==See also==
+== References ==
-* [[History of democracy#Indian subcontinent|History of democracy in the Indian-subcontinent]]
+{{Reflist}}
-* [[States Election Commission(India)]]
-==References==
+== External links ==
-{{Reflist|30em}}
+* [https://www.eci.gov.in Election Commission of India] – official portal
+* [https://www.nvsp.in/ National Voters Service Portal]
-==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}}
+{{Indian elections}}
-{{Chief Election Commissioners of India}}
-{{Indian  elections}}
 {{National election commissions}}
 {{Authority control}}

v t e Elections in India
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See also: Elections in Andaman and Nicobar Islands Andhra Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh Assam Bihar Chhattisgarh Delhi Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Goa Gujarat Haryana Himachal Pradesh Jammu and Kashmir Jharkhand Karnataka Kerala Ladakh Lakshadweep Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Manipur Meghalaya Mizoram Nagaland Odisha Puducherry Punjab Rajasthan Sikkim Tamil Nadu Telangana Tripura Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand West Bengal

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