ELECTION COMMISSION

• Article 324 provides power of super-intendence,direction and control to the Parliment,state legislatures,the office of president and vice president shall be vested in the election commission.
• From 1950 to 15th October 1989,the election commission functioned as a single member body consisting of the Election commissioner alone.
• On 16th October 1989,The President appointed 2 more election commissioners.Thereafter the commission worked as a multimember body of 3 election commissioners.
• The 2 posts of election commissioners were abolished in January 1990 and was reconstituted in 1993.
• The powers of the 3 commissioners are equivalent to the judge of supreme court.
• They hold office for 6 years or until they attain the age of 65.
• The powers of Election commission is divided in to ADMINISTRATIVE,ADVISORY and QUASI-JUDICIAL.
• The functions performed by the Election commission are;

• (a) Determine territorial area of constituencies based on Delimitation Commission Act of Parliment.
• (b) Register all eligible voters.
• (c) Notify dates and schedule of election.
• (d) Allot election symbols to various parties.
• (e) Settle the disputes
• (f) Determine the code of conduct.
• (g) Advice president relating disqualification of members.
• (h) To cancel polls in events of violence.

• The election commission is assisted by deputy commissioners 
• At the state level,Election commission is assisted by Chief Electoral Officer appointed by the Chief Election commissioner in consulation with the state govt.
• He appoints a returning officer for every constituency in the district and a presiding officer for every polling booth in the constituency