Context:
National Voters’ Day celebrated on January 25
National Voters’ Day:
- Celebrated on – January 25
- To mark the foundation day of Election Commission of India
- Aim – To promote people’s participation in elections
- Celebrated since – 2011
- Theme for 2024 – ‘Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For sure’
- Events – National Awards for the Best Electoral Practices
- National Voters’ Day pledge
- Other nations celebrating the day – Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan
Election Commission of India:
- Status – An autonomous constitutional authority.
- Established in – 25th January, 1950
- Office – Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi
- Articles – Article 324 to Article 329, Part XV
- Composition – A Chief Election Commission and 2 Election Commissioners
- Mandate – To administer elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice President
- Advisory jurisdiction – Cases of persons found guilty of corrupt practices are referred to the Commission for its opinion
- Quasi-judicial function – Power to disqualify a candidate who has failed to lodge an account of his election expenses within the time and in the manner prescribed by law
- Funding – Has an Independent budget
- Important initiatives – Systematic Voters’ Education & Electoral Participation (SVEEP)
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.
2. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and by-elections.
3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. According to Article 324, the Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners, if any, as the President may form a time-to-time fix.
Statement 2 is not correct. Election Commission of India decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and by-elections.
