Model Question and Answers for APSC | Discuss the composition and functions of the Election Commission of India. What steps have been taken by the commission to remove defects of the Indian Election System?(APSC 2011)

Ans : Article 324 in the Indian Constitution gives power to the Election Commission to direct, control, and conduct elections to all Parliament, to the Legislature of every state and of elections to the offices of the President and Vice President held under the Constitution.
Composition of the Commission
1. Originally the commission had only one election commissioner but after the Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989, it has been made a multi-member body
2. The commission consists of one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
Functions of the Commission
1. Election Commission of India superintendents, direct and control the entire process of conducting elections to Parliament and Legislature of every State and to the offices of President and Vice-President of India.

2. The most important function of the commission is to decide the election schedules for the conduct of periodic and timely elections, whether general or bye-elections. It prepares electoral roll, issues Electronic Photo Identity Cards (EPIC).
3. It decides on the location of polling stations, assignment of voters to the polling stations, location of counting centres, arrangements to be made in and around polling stations and counting centres and all allied matters.
4. It grants recognition to political parties & allot election symbols to them along with settling disputes related to it.
5. The Commission also has advisory jurisdiction in the matter of post election disqualification of sitting members of Parliament and State Legislatures.
6. It issues the Model Code of Conduct in election for political parties and candidates so that no one indulges in unfair practice or there is no arbitrary abuse of powers by those in power.
7. It sets limits of campaign expenditure per candidate to all the political parties, and also monitors the same. Steps have been taken by the commission to remove defects of the Indian Election System:
1. Introduction of Electronic Voting Machine (EVMs)
2. Introduction of Model Code of Conduct during elections
3. Various initiatives for Voter education
4. The Election Commission of India makes a time-to-time revised norm to curb the situation of criminalization of politics.

5. Postal voting for service voters
6. In an effort to prevent electoral fraud, in 1993, EPICs or Electors Photo Identity Cards were issued, which became mandatory by the 2004 elections.
7. The commission is empowered with prohibiting dissemination or publication of voting trends that seek to influence voters by opinion polls or exit polls.