UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Before declaring poll dates, EC to assess ground situation in Bengal from March 8

Q1. With reference to elections in India, the 'Model Code of Conduct' (MCC) becomes operational from which one of the following points in time?

  • A. From the date of issuance of the formal notification of election under the Representation of the People Act, 1951
  • B. From the date on which the Election Commission announces the schedule of elections, and remains in force till the completion of the election process
  • C. From the last date of filing of nominations until the declaration of results
  • D. From the commencement of polling till the declaration of results

Q2. With reference to the institutional evolution of the Election Commission of India, consider the following statements: 1. The CEC and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 replaced the Chief Justice of India — proposed by the Supreme Court in its March 2023 judgment — with a Union Cabinet Minister in the Selection Committee for appointing the CEC and ECs. 2. The Election Commission became a multi-member body in 1989; prior to that, it functioned as a single-member body since its inception. 3. The Model Code of Conduct was first introduced by the Election Commission only during the General Elections of 1991. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The CEC and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 replaced the Chief Justice of India — proposed by the Supreme Court in its March 2023 judgment — with a Union Cabinet Minister in the Selection Committee for appointing the CEC and ECs.
  2. The Election Commission became a multi-member body in 1989; prior to that, it functioned as a single-member body since its inception.
  3. The Model Code of Conduct was first introduced by the Election Commission only during the General Elections of 1991.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The power of 'superintendence, direction and control' of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President is vested in the Election Commission of India under which one of the following Articles of the Constitution?

  • A. Article 322
  • B. Article 324
  • C. Article 326
  • D. Article 329

Q4. With reference to the 2026 General Election to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, consider the following statements: 1. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly has a strength of 294 seats. 2. The 2026 election in West Bengal was conducted in a single phase. 3. Before announcing the poll schedule, the full bench of the Election Commission of India undertook a pre-poll ground-situation assessment visit to West Bengal. 4. The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner who led the pre-poll assessment was governed by the CEC and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

  1. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly has a strength of 294 seats.
  2. The 2026 election in West Bengal was conducted in a single phase.
  3. Before announcing the poll schedule, the full bench of the Election Commission of India undertook a pre-poll ground-situation assessment visit to West Bengal.
  4. The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner who led the pre-poll assessment was governed by the CEC and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only
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