UPSC Prelims 2004 · General Studies

Question 35: Polity and Governance

Consider the following tasks:

1.Superintendence, direction and conduct of free and fair elections
2.Preparation of electoral rolls for all elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures and the Office of the President and the Vice-President
3.Giving recognition to political parties and individuals contesting the election
4.Proclamation of final verdict in the case of election disputes

Which of the above are the functions of the Election Commission of India?

a1, 2 and 3

b2, 3 and 4

c1 and 3

d1, 2 and 4

AnswerThe answer is (a).

The Election Commission superintends, directs and controls elections, prepares the electoral rolls for Parliament, the State legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President (Article 324), and recognises political parties, allotting them symbols. It does not decide election disputes: election petitions go to the High Courts, and disputes over the President's and Vice-President's elections go to the Supreme Court.

1. Article 324 gives the Commission superintendence, direction and control of elections.
2. The Commission prepares the electoral rolls.
3. It recognises political parties and allots symbols.
4. Election disputes are decided by the courts, not by the Commission.

How you could have got this

If you were sure statement 2 is correct, (c) goes: it leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: The Commission prepares the electoral rolls.
The red flag in statement 2 is “all”. In UPSC’s papers, statements with “all” were true 41% of the time (76 statements). A hint, not a rule.
Then, if you were sure statement 4 is not correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 4.
What you needed to know: Election disputes are decided by the courts, not by the Commission.

Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 3.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Correct: tasks 1, 2 and 3 are Election Commission functions.
(b) Includes task 4, which the Election Commission does not perform.
(c) Leaves out task 2, which is a Commission function.
(d) Includes task 4 and leaves out task 3.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2004, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.