Here are the primary functions of the Indian election commission:
- The Election Commission acknowledges political parties be they national, state, or regional.
- They update the voter list and prepare electoral rolls.
- The commission sets a limit to the election expenses.
- They issue the schedules of elections and notifications of dates for filing nominations.
- The Election Commission allows symbols to the political parties.
The Election Commission has a chief election commissioner and a set number of the election commission as set by the President of India. They have a fixed tenure of 6 years and a retirement age of 65 years.
As many as 2 or 3 Director-Generals and Deputy Election Commissioners, who are top officers in a separate secretariat in New Delhi, assist the Election Commission in their work.
The commission appoints a Chief Electoral Officer from senior civil servants whom the concerned state government recommends.
At districts and constituencies, the District Electoral Officers, Returning Officers, and Electoral Registration Officers conduct the election work. They perform the task with the assistance of a considerable number of junior officials.
Conducting an Indian election is not just a task, it is a humongous event. At specific intervals, the Election Commission performs this duty with nearly five million civil police and polling officers.
In this article, one gets a brief discussion on how election law works in India. It also discusses various aspects to give a broader understanding of the topic.