Election Commission Archives

21. Article 324 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishmen

Article 324 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of which one of the following institutions in India?

The National Human Rights Commission

The Central Vigilance Commission

The Central Information Commission

The Election Commission of India

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2022

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Article 324 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of the Election Commission of India.

– Article 324(1) states that “The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to Parliament and to the Legislature of every State and of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President held under this Constitution shall be vested in a Commission (referred to in this Constitution as the Election Commission).”
– This article establishes the Election Commission as an independent constitutional body.

The National Human Rights Commission, Central Vigilance Commission, and Central Information Commission are statutory bodies established by acts of Parliament, not constitutional bodies established directly by an article of the Constitution like the Election Commission.

22. Which one of the following statements about the Election Commission of

Which one of the following statements about the Election Commission of India is NOT correct?

Election Commission accords recognition to political parties and allots symbols

Election Commission has the power to take decisions to ensure a free and fair polls

Election Commission implements the model code of conduct

The concept of multiple-member Election Commission has been in operation since 1980

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2021

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) was initially a single-member body. It became a multi-member body for the first time in 1989 but reverted to a single-member body in 1990. It was made a multi-member body (one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners) again in 1993 and has remained so since. Therefore, the concept of a multiple-member Election Commission has been in operation since 1993, not 1980. Statements A, B, and C correctly describe powers and functions of the ECI.

The Election Commission of India became a multi-member body permanently in 1993.

The ECI’s powers include superintendence, direction, and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, the office of President, and the office of Vice-President. It is responsible for preparing electoral rolls, delimitation of constituencies, recognition of political parties, allotment of symbols, and ensuring free and fair elections, including the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct.

23. The use of ‘Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC)’ by the Election Comm

The use of ‘Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC)’ by the Election Commission of India was started in which one of the following years ?

1992

1993

1995

2001

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) introduced the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) system for voters in 1993, with the issuance beginning nationwide over the next few years. While implementation took time, the policy was announced and started in 1993.

EPIC, commonly known as the Voter ID card, is a photo identity card issued by the Election Commission of India to eligible voters. Its primary purpose is to prevent impersonation and ensure free and fair elections.

The EPIC system was launched under the tenure of then Chief Election Commissioner T. N. Seshan, as part of his efforts to reform the electoral process and curb electoral malpractice. The year 1993 marks the initiation of this significant move, although full implementation and usage for identification in all elections took some time.

24. Which of the following statements regarding the electoral rolls is/are

Which of the following statements regarding the electoral rolls is/are correct ?

1. There is one general electoral roll for every territorial constituency.
2. No person is ineligible for inclusion in the electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or any of them.
3. A citizen of India, not less than 18 years of age, can cast his/her vote unless disqualified under a law of an appropriate legislature.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1 only

1, 2 and 3

2 and 3 only

1 and 2 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2021

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All three statements are correct regarding the electoral rolls in India as per constitutional provisions and relevant laws.

Statement 1 is correct as per Article 325 and the Representation of the People Acts, ensuring uniformity. Statement 2 directly reflects the prohibition of discrimination based on religion, race, caste, or sex in electoral rolls (Article 325). Statement 3 states the eligibility criteria for voting (age 18 as per Article 326 after the 61st Amendment, 1988) unless legally disqualified.

Article 324 vests the power of superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the Election Commission of India. The Representation of the People Act, 1950, deals with the preparation of electoral rolls, and the Representation of the People Act, 1951, deals with the conduct of elections and qualifications/disqualifications.

25. In how many phases was the general election, 2019 conducted in India ?

In how many phases was the general election, 2019 conducted in India ?

6 phases

7 phases

8 phases

9 phases

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2019

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The general election, 2019 in India was conducted in 7 phases.

The polling for the 17th Lok Sabha election was spread across seven phases, starting from April 11, 2019, and concluding on May 19, 2019.

The counting of votes for the 2019 general election took place on May 23, 2019. This was one of the longest general elections in India’s history, necessitated by the large electorate and geographical diversity.

26. Which of the following is not under the powers and functions of the El

Which of the following is not under the powers and functions of the Election Commission of India?

Superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls

Conduct of elections to the Parliament and to the Legislature of each State

Conduct of election to the office of the President and the Vice President

Appointment of the Regional Commissioners to assist the Election Commission in the performance of the functions conferred on the Commission

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2018

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The appointment of the Regional Commissioners to assist the Election Commission in the performance of its functions is not directly a power of the Election Commission of India.

Article 324(4) of the Constitution states that the President may appoint Regional Commissioners after consultation with the Election Commission.

The Election Commission of India has the power of superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls (Article 324). It conducts elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, the office of the President, and the Vice President (Article 324). The ECI is consulted by the President regarding the appointment of Regional Commissioners, but the appointing authority is the President, not the ECI itself.

27. Which of the following statements with regard to the conduct of electi

Which of the following statements with regard to the conduct of elections in India is/are not correct?
1. The responsibility for the preparation of the electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission of India.
2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into existence as soon as the date of the election is announced.
3. The laws relating to delimitation of constituencies are made by the Election Commission of India.
4. No election shall be called in question except by an election petition.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

3 only

1, 2 and 4

1, 2 and 3

4 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2016

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The question asks for the statement(s) that are NOT correct.
Statement 1: The responsibility for the preparation of the electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission of India. This is correct. Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1950, vest this responsibility with the ECI.
Statement 2: The Model Code of Conduct comes into existence as soon as the date of the election is announced. This is correct. The MCC is enforced by the ECI from the date of announcement of the election schedule until the completion of the election process.
Statement 3: The laws relating to delimitation of constituencies are made by the Election Commission of India. This is incorrect. Delimitation of constituencies is done by a Delimitation Commission established by an Act of Parliament. While the ECI is involved in the electoral process, the laws governing delimitation are made by the Parliament.
Statement 4: No election shall be called in question except by an election petition. This is correct. Article 329(b) of the Constitution bars questioning the validity of any law relating to the delimitation of constituencies or the allotment of seats to such constituencies and states that no election shall be called in question except by an election petition presented to such authority and in such manner as may be provided for by or under any law made by the appropriate Legislature.
Therefore, only statement 3 is incorrect.

– ECI prepares electoral rolls.
– MCC is effective from election announcement date.
– Delimitation laws are made by Parliament, not ECI.
– Election disputes are resolved through election petitions.

The Delimitation Commission is an independent body constituted under the Delimitation Commission Act passed by the Parliament. Its orders have the force of law and cannot be called in question before any court. The ECI plays a crucial role in supervising and conducting elections, but legislative powers regarding delimitation reside with the Parliament.

28. Which one of the following statements with regard to the Election Comm

Which one of the following statements with regard to the Election Commission is not correct ?

It conducts elections to the office of the Vice President of India.

An Election Commissioner can be removed from his office without the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

Election Commissioners are appointed by the President of India.

Governor of a State is constitutionally bound to provide support staff to the Election Commission, if required.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2022

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The statement that an Election Commissioner can be removed from his office without the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner is not correct.

Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India lays down the procedure for the removal of Election Commissioners and Regional Commissioners. It states that an Election Commissioner or a Regional Commissioner shall not be removed from office except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed in the same manner as a Judge of the Supreme Court.

The Election Commission consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners as the President may from time to time fix. The conditions of service and tenure of office of the Election Commissioners and the Regional Commissioners are determined by the President. The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. The Election Commission conducts elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President. Governors (and the President) are constitutionally bound to make available necessary support staff to the Election Commission for the discharge of its functions, if requested.

29. Overseas Indians can exercise franchise in an election to the Lok Sabh

Overseas Indians can exercise franchise in an election to the Lok Sabha under which of the following conditions?

1. They must be citizens of India.
2. Their names must figure in the electoral roll.
3. They must be present in India to vote.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3

2 and 3 only

1 and 2 only

1 only

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2020

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The correct answer is A) 1, 2 and 3.

Overseas Indians (NRIs) who are citizens of India are eligible to vote. For an NRI to exercise franchise in an election to the Lok Sabha, the following conditions must be met under the current legal framework for physical voting:
1. They must be citizens of India. (Correct)
2. Their names must be registered and figure in the electoral roll of the constituency in India where they would have been ordinarily resident if they were living in India. (Correct)
3. They must be physically present in their registered constituency in India on the day of polling to cast their vote. (Correct – As per existing law requiring physical presence for casting the vote. While registration might not require presence, exercising the franchise (voting) historically required physical presence).
Therefore, all three conditions are necessary for an Overseas Indian to vote in a Lok Sabha election under the traditional system.

Amendments were made to the Representation of the People Act in 2010 to allow NRIs to register as voters. There have been ongoing discussions and proposals for alternative voting methods like proxy voting or e-postal ballots for NRIs to facilitate their participation without requiring physical presence, but these have not been fully implemented for all NRI voters as of now. Based on the requirement to physically cast the vote, all three conditions are necessary.

30. The mobile app ‘cVIGIL’ is helpful in

The mobile app ‘cVIGIL’ is helpful in

conducting free and fair e-tendering process in government offices

fighting against corruption in public services

removing garbage from the municipal areas

reporting violation of model code of conduct in election-bound States

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-1 – 2019

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The cVIGIL mobile application was launched by the Election Commission of India (ECI). It provides a platform for citizens to report instances of the violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during elections in real-time.

The app ‘cVIGIL’ is specifically designed as a tool for election-related governance and monitoring by the Election Commission of India.

The app allows citizens to click photos or record videos of violations, which are then geo-tagged and sent to the local election authorities for investigation and action within a defined timeframe. This aims to make the election process cleaner and more transparent.