- Why in news
- On 23 September 2026 the Election Commission of India said all its decisions, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, were unanimous decisions of the full Commission. It was responding to reports that highlighted internal notes of dissent by Commissioners.
- What it is
- The Election Commission of India is a permanent constitutional body set up under Article 324. It superintends, directs and controls the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President. It is a multi-member body: the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.
- Constitutional basis
- Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the ECI. It is a constitutional body.
- Multi-member body
- The Commission has the CEC and other Election Commissioners and acts as a multi-member body.
- Appointment law
- Appointment, service conditions and term are governed by the 2023 Act on the CEC and other Election Commissioners.
- Field officers
- EROs and DEOs act under statutory powers for registration and deletion of names in rolls.
- Elections not covered
- Elections to Panchayats and Municipalities are conducted by State Election Commissions, not the ECI (Articles 243K and 243ZA).
- Removal of CEC
- The CEC can be removed only in the manner and on the grounds of a Supreme Court judge.
- Founding and Article 324
- ECI was established on 25 January 1950 under Article 324 of the Constitution.
- Composition
- ECI is a multi-member body: the Chief Election Commissioner and two other Election Commissioners.
- Start of NVD
- ECI began observing National Voters' Day on its Foundation Day in 2011.
- SVEEP
- SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) is ECI's flagship voter education programme, started in 2009.
- International IDEA chair
- India, led by the Chief Election Commissioner, chairs the Council of Member States of International IDEA in 2026.
Don’t confuse with ECI vs State Election Commission: ECI (Article 324) handles Parliament, State Legislature, President and Vice-President polls. SEC (Articles 243K, 243ZA) handles Panchayat and Municipal polls.
Don’t confuse with ERO vs DEO: The ERO prepares and revises the roll of a constituency. The DEO coordinates election work in the district.
Don’t confuse with ECI vs State Election Commissions: ECI (Article 324) runs elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, President and Vice-President. State Election Commissions run panchayat and municipal polls.
Don’t confuse with International IDEA vs IIIDEM: International IDEA is an intergovernmental body of member states that India chairs in 2026. IIIDEM is ECI's own training institute in New Delhi.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Free and fair elections are a basic feature of the Constitution, and the ECI is their guardian.
- Collective decision-making in a multi-member body adds checks and credibility to electoral decisions.
- Voter education and enrolment help fulfil ECI's constitutional duty to keep eligible citizens on the rolls and encourage them to vote.
- The Delhi Declaration and the IDEA chairship raise India's standing in global election management.
Problems
- Disputes over dissent notes can raise doubts about the Commission's independence and transparency.
- Large exercises like SIR face concerns over wrongful deletion of voters and the integrity of digital systems.
- Roll revisions such as the Special Intensive Revision in Bihar raise concerns about exclusion of eligible voters.
- Turnout gaps remain among urban and young voters despite outreach.
Way forward
- Publish reasons for major decisions and keep clear procedures for recording dissent.
- Strengthen audits, grievance redress and appeal mechanisms for roll revisions.
- Pair roll clean-up with transparent notice and appeal so eligible voters are not dropped.
- Sustain targeted SVEEP outreach and use technology to widen participation.
Put in your answer
Article 324: Cite it as the constitutional source of ECI's superintendence, direction and control of elections.
CEC and other ECs Act, 2023: Cite it as the statute governing appointment, service conditions and term of Commissioners.
- 2026Mains GS2 · Q4Is voting a fundamental right; ECI's electoral roll revision and citizenship powers?
- 2022Mains GS2 · Q15Discuss the Election Commission's role in light of Model Code evolution.
- 2018Mains GS2 · Q1Challenges before ECI to ensure election trustworthiness amid EVM controversy
- 2017Mains GS2 · Q14What electoral reforms did ECI propose in 2016 and their significance?
- 2017Prelims Q90Which statements about Election Commission composition, schedules and party disputes are correct?
- 2006Prelims Q50Which commission was set up under a definite constitutional Article provision?
- 2012Prelims Q7Which statements on UT representation, CEC disputes and Parliament's composition are correct?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statement I and II
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements about the Election Commission of India (ECI):
- Statement-I: The Election Commission of India is a multi-member body consisting of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners.
- Statement-II: The Election Commission of India conducts elections to Panchayats and Municipalities in the States.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
True or false?
1 of 7
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The Election Commission of India derives its powers of superintendence, direction and control of elections from Article 324 of the Constitution.
True. Article 324 is the source of ECI's powers.
2.The appointment and conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are governed by an Act of Parliament passed in 2023.
True. The CEC and Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
3.The Election Commission of India conducts elections to Panchayats and Municipalities in the States.
False. State Election Commissions conduct local body elections (Articles 243K, 243ZA).
4.The Election Commission of India is a single-member body headed by the Chief Election Commissioner.
False. It is a multi-member body; the CEC and other Election Commissioners.
5.The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
True. Proviso to Article 324(5) gives this protection to the CEC.
6.Electoral Registration Officers function under statutory powers for registration and deletion of names in electoral rolls.
True. EROs and DEOs act under statutory powers for rolls.
7.The Election Commission of India conducts elections to the offices of the President and the Vice-President only, and not to Parliament.
False. It conducts elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
The Election Commission of India recently stated that all its decisions, including the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, were unanimous decisions of the full Commission, after reports of internal notes of dissent. In this context, examine the constitutional basis and functions of the Election Commission under Article 324 and discuss the challenges to its institutional independence and credibility.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.