SC’s  rule over State Election Commissioners 

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.