UPSC Articles
SC’s rule over State Election Commissioners
Part of: GS Prelims and GS – II – Judiciary
In news
- The Supreme Court has held that independent persons and not bureaucrats should be appointed as State Election Commissioners.
Key takeaways
- Giving government employees the additional charge of State Election Commissioners is a “mockery of the Constitution”.
- It directed that the States should appoint independent persons as Election Commissioners all across India.
Important value additions
Article 243K
- Article 243K deals with the Elections to the Panchayats.
- It states that The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Panchayats shall be vested in a State Election Commission.
- It shall consist of a State Election Commissioner to be appointed by the Governor.
- The conditions of service and tenure of office of the State Election Commissioner shall be such as the Governor may by rule determine.
- The State Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on the like ground as a Judge of a High Court.
- The conditions of service of the State Election Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.
