Election Commissioners
Topic: Elections and the Electoral System · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 3 "Election and Representation"
Meaning
Election Commissioners (ECs) are the members of the Election Commission of India other than the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The President fixes how many there are. Since 1993 there have been two. Under the T.N. Seshan judgment (1995), the CEC and the ECs have an equal say, and decisions are taken by majority. They are appointed under the 2023 Act and serve for six years or until age 65. Under Article 324(5), an EC can be removed only on the CEC's recommendation.
Example
Two EC posts were first created in October 1989 and abolished in January 1990. They were created again in October 1993 and have remained since. If the two ECs agree and the CEC disagrees, the majority view of the ECs prevails.
Don't confuse with
- Chief Election Commissioner: the CEC can be removed only like a Supreme Court judge, which needs a special majority in both Houses. ECs have weaker protection, because removal needs only the CEC's recommendation. NCERT's line that they are "removed by the President" is incomplete.
Related concepts
- Election Commission of India
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Multi-member Election Commission
- T.N. Seshan case
- Anoop Baranwal case
- Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act 2023