Election Commission of India (ECI): The Independent Guardian of the World’s Largest Democracy
Every five years, over 970 million Indians cast their votes in what is routinely called the greatest democratic exercise on Earth. Behind this monumental feat stands one constitutional body that works silently yet powerfully: the Election Commission of India (ECI). From the snow-covered polling booths of Ladakh at 15,000 feet to the remote islands of Lakshadweep, the ECI ensures that every eligible citizen can exercise the sacred right to vote — freely, fairly and fearlessly.
For every Indian — whether a first-time voter in Delhi or a senior citizen in rural Tamil Nadu — the ECI is the ultimate guarantor that “one person, one vote, one value” is not just a slogan but a reality.
Constitutional Status and Independence
Established on 25 January 1950 (a day before India became a republic), the Election Commission derives its powers directly from Article 324 of the Constitution. Article 324 vests the “superintendence, direction and control” of elections to Parliament, state legislatures, the Office of President and Vice-President in the ECI — making it one of the most autonomous bodies in the country.
Key safeguards of independence:
- The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners can be removed only through impeachment (same process as a Supreme Court judge).
- Salary and conditions of service are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India (not voted annually by Parliament).
- The Commission has its own permanent secretariat and budget.
Present Leadership (as on November 2025)
- Chief Election Commissioner: Gyanesh Kumar (appointed 18 November 2025)
- Election Commissioners: Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and one vacancy (to be filled shortly)
The current three-member Commission was constituted after the retirement of former CEC Rajiv Kumar and EC Anup Chandra Pandey in 2025. Appointments are now made under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, by a high-powered committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India (or a judge nominated by him).
What the ECI Actually Does – A Permanent Responsibility
While elections grab headlines, the Commission works 365 days a year on:
- Preparing and updating the Electoral Roll (Voter List)
- India has 97.1 crore registered voters (as per latest Summary Revision 2025).
- Continuous updation through four qualifying dates every year (1 Jan, 1 Apr, 1 Jul, 1 Oct).
- Issuing Electronic Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) – popularly called Voter ID cards.
- Delimitation of constituencies (last completed in 2008 based on 2001 census; next due after 2031 as per 84th Amendment).
- Recognising and de-recognising political parties and allotting symbols.
- Enforcing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) – a unique Indian innovation that levels the playing field once elections are announced.
- Conducting elections to Lok Sabha (543 seats), Rajya Sabha (indirect), 30 state legislative assemblies, and offices of President & Vice-President.
Landmark Achievements That Make India Proud
- Largest electorate in human history: 97.1 crore voters in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
- Highest-ever women turnout: 67.7% in 2024 (almost equal to men).
- Over 12 lakh polling stations in 2024 — more than the total number of polling stations in the rest of the world combined.
- 100% use of VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) with EVMs since 2019.
- First country to introduce NOTA (None of the Above) option in 2013.
- Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme — one of the world’s largest voter awareness initiatives.
- Home voting facility for senior citizens (80+) and Persons with Disabilities since 2021.
- Postal ballot for armed forces, government staff on election duty, and now for absentee voters in essential services.
Technology and Transparency Milestones
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) introduced in 1998; fully used across India since 2004.
- VVPAT introduced in 2013 — every voter can verify their vote on a printed slip.
- cVIGIL app: Citizens can report Model Code violations within 100 minutes response guarantee.
- SUVEC portal and KYC-like voter registration through Form 6, 7, 8 online.
- Results displayed live on results.eci.gov.in and Voter Helpline App (available in 12 languages).
Recent Initiatives (2024–2025)
- 12 new “vote from home” categories including Covid-affected voters and media persons on duty.
- Four special intensive revision drives to add 18–19-year-olds (2.2 crore new voters added in 2024–25).
- Introduction of 100% webcasting from polling booths in sensitive areas.
- “Myth vs Fact” campaign to counter EVM tampering misinformation.
- Green elections: elimination of single-use plastic at polling stations.
Funding and Manpower – The Scale is Mind-boggling
- 2024 Lok Sabha elections cost approximately ₹60,000 crore (shared by Centre and states).
- 1.5 crore election officials and security personnel deployed.
- 55 lakh EVMs + 53 lakh VVPAT units used.
- 15 million litres of indelible ink applied on voters’ fingers.
Challenges the ECI Continues to Tackle
- Urban apathy (lower turnout in cities).
- Fake news and paid news.
- Criminalisation of politics (ECI recommends disqualification for candidates with charges framed 1 year before election).
- Money power and misuse of government machinery.
Why Every Indian Should Respect the ECI
The Election Commission is not a government department — it is a constitutional body that even the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers must obey once the Model Code is in force. It has cancelled polls, countermanded elections, and postponed dates when fairness was compromised. From reprimanding ministers to removing top officials on election duty, the ECI has repeatedly proved that no one is above the electoral process.
As Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said in his first press conference in November 2025, “Our only religion is the Constitution of India, and our only scripture is the Representation of the People Act.”
In a world where many democracies are facing trust deficits, India’s Election Commission remains a gold standard — delivering credible, peaceful and inclusive elections cycle after cycle.
Last Updated on: Thursday, November 20, 2025 2:53 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Thursday, November 20, 2025 2:53 pm | News Categories: News
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