Discuss the role of the Supreme Court of India in strengthening the hands of the Election Commission in the discharge of its constitutional responsibility of conducting free and fair elections in the country.

(1) Strengthening the independence of election commission eg) In Anoop Baranwal case, SC held that CEC would be elected by 3 member panel :-

(2) giving it varied powers to conduct free and fair elections. Eg) SC in Mohinder Singh Gill case held that Election Commission of India has plenary powers for conducting elections. (3) ensuring absolute neutrality of CEC. Eg) SC in TN Seshan case upheld the independence of EC.

However, there are certain shortcomings that still exist :-

(1) The ruling of Anoop Baranwal has been overturned by introduction of a bill recently to remove CJI from the panel. (2) even the presence of CJI doesn't ensure absolute neutrality of CEC. (3) ECI doesn't have powers to enforce Model Code of Conduct. eg) NaMo TV was launched before elections. (4) It cannot prevent criminalisation of politics in India (currently 43% LS).

way forward (1) State funding of elections (Indrajit Goswami Committee). (2) strengthening ECI by giving it powers of enforcement of orders. (3) creating cadre of election commissioner to ensure free and fair elections.