Chief Election Commissioner of India

The Chief Election Commissioner of India (CEC) is the head of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the body responsible for conducting elections in India. The CEC is appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister. The CEC is assisted by two Election Commissioners, who are also appointed by the President.

The CEC is responsible for ensuring that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and impartial manner. The CEC has the power to register political parties, to deregister political parties, and to disqualify candidates from contesting elections. The CEC also has the power to order re-polls in constituencies where there have been allegations of electoral malpractice.

The CEC is a powerful and independent position. The CEC is not answerable to any political party or government. The CEC is accountable only to the Constitution of India.

The CEC has played a vital role in the development of democracy in India. The CEC has ensured that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and impartial manner. The CEC has also played a role in promoting voter awareness and participation in elections.

The CEC is a highly respected position in India. The CEC is seen as a symbol of the independence of the Election Commission and of the integrity of the electoral process.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who is the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

The current Chief Election Commissioner of India is Sushil Chandra. He was appointed on 12 December 2021.

  1. What are the powers of the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

The Chief Election Commissioner of India is the head of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The ECI is the body responsible for conducting elections in India. The CEC has the power to register political parties, to deregister political parties, and to disqualify candidates from contesting elections. The CEC also has the power to order re-polls in constituencies where there have been allegations of electoral malpractice.

  1. How is the Chief Election Commissioner of India appointed?

The Chief Election Commissioner of India is appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister.

  1. What is the term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

The term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner of India is six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.

  1. Who can be appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

A person can be appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner of India if he/she is a citizen of India and has held a high judicial office or has been an Election Commissioner or an officer of the Indian Administrative Service or the Indian Police Service for at least 25 years.

  1. What are the qualifications for the post of Chief Election Commissioner of India?

The qualifications for the post of Chief Election Commissioner of India are as follows:

  • The candidate must be a citizen of India.
  • The candidate must have held a high judicial office or have been an Election Commissioner or an officer of the Indian Administrative Service or the Indian Police Service for at least 25 years.
  • The candidate must be a person of integrity and impartiality.
  1. What are the duties and responsibilities of the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

The duties and responsibilities of the Chief Election Commissioner of India are as follows:

  • To ensure that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and impartial manner.
  • To register political parties.
  • To deregister political parties.
  • To disqualify candidates from contesting elections.
  • To order re-polls in constituencies where there have been allegations of electoral malpractice.
  • To promote voter awareness and participation in elections.
  1. What are the challenges faced by the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

The challenges faced by the Chief Election Commissioner of India are as follows:

  • The challenge of ensuring that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and impartial manner.
  • The challenge of registering political parties.
  • The challenge of deregistering political parties.
  • The challenge of disqualifying candidates from contesting elections.
  • The challenge of ordering re-polls in constituencies where there have been allegations of electoral malpractice.
  • The challenge of promoting voter awareness and participation in elections.

MCQs

  1. Who is the current Chief Election Commissioner of India?

(a) Sushil Chandra
(b) Rajiv Kumar
(c) Sunil Arora
(d) Ashok Lavasa

  1. What are the powers of the Chief Election Commissioner of India?

(a) To register political parties
(b) To deregister political parties
(c) To disqualify candidates from contesting elections
(d) All of the above

  1. How is the Chief Election Commissioner of India appointed?

(a) By the President of India
(b) By the Prime Minister
(c) By the Parliament

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