News Highlights
The Election Commission of India (EC) announced that those above the age of 17 can now apply in advance to get enrolled in the voters’ list and need not wait to attain the age of 18 years.
Key Takeaways
- Till recently, people turning 18 on or before January 1 of a particular year were eligible to enroll themselves on the voters’ list.
- Following a change in election laws, people can now register as voters on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 upon turning 18.
- To bring the new changes, Section 14(b) of the Representation of the People Act 1950 and consequent modifications in Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 have been initiated.
- The electoral roll will be updated every quarter and eligible youngsters can be registered.
- After getting registered, the youngsters will be issued an electoral photo identity card (EPIC).
- For the linking of Aadhaar numbers with electoral roll data, a new Form-6B has been introduced for existing electors.
- However, no application for inclusion of name in electoral roll shall be denied and no entries in electoral roll shall be deleted for the inability of an individual to intimate Aadhaar Numbers.
The Election Commission of India (ECI)
- The ECI is an autonomous and permanent constitutional body responsible for organising free and fair elections in the Union and States of India.
- Article 324:
- The Constitution of India mentions the provisions to safeguard and ensure the independent and impartial functioning of the Election Commission.
- The Constitution grants the ECI the power of direction, superintendence, and control of elections to
- Parliament
- State legislatures
- The office of the president of India.
- The office of the vice-president of India
- Powers and responsibilities:
- Determining the Electoral Constituencies’ territorial areas
- Preparing and periodically revising electoral rolls and registering all eligible voters.
- Notifying the schedules and dates of elections.
- Granting recognition to the various political parties and allocating them election symbols.
- It issues the Model Code of Conduct in elections for political parties and candidates.
- Composition of Election Commission:
- Since its inception in 1950, it had been a one-member body with only the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
- Later, two more election commissioners were appointed.
- The Election Commission became a multi-member body with 3 election commissioners.
- Members:
- The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other election commissioners.
- The chief election commissioner is provided with security of tenure.
- He cannot be removed from his office except in the same manner and on the same grounds as a judge of the Supreme Court.
Content Source: Indian Express
Pic Courtesy: PIB