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Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder C. Joseph Vijay petitioned the Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).
The petition alleged selective use of administrative machinery and denial of equal campaign opportunities to opposition parties.
TVK sought the immediate transfer of key police and intelligence officials, urging strict supervision by the Election Commission.
Concerns were raised about arbitrary denial of permissions for rallies and events during the Model Code of Conduct period.
An autonomous constitutional body responsible for administering elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of President and Vice President. It ensures free and fair elections, enforces the Model Code of Conduct, and has wide powers to direct and control the electoral process.
Appointed by the ECI in consultation with the state government, the CEO supervises the election work in a state or union territory. They are responsible for implementing the ECI's directives, preparing electoral rolls, and conducting elections smoothly within their jurisdiction.
A set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India for political parties and candidates to observe during elections. It comes into force from the date of announcement of the election schedule until the declaration of results. The MCC aims to ensure a level playing field, prevent misuse of official machinery, and avoid communal tensions. While not legally enforceable by itself, violations can lead to action under existing laws like the Indian Penal Code or Representation of the People Act.
This Act provides for the conduct of elections to the Houses of Parliament and to the House or Houses of the Legislature of each State, the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of those Houses, the corrupt practices and other offences in connection with elections and the decision of doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with such elections.
The core principle underlying the ECI's mandate, ensuring all citizens can vote without coercion and all parties can compete equitably.
During elections, the entire state administrative machinery comes under the superintendence, direction, and control of the ECI to ensure impartiality and prevent misuse of power.
Incidents like these often spark debates on the need for further reforms to strengthen the ECI's powers and ensure stricter adherence to electoral norms and ethical conduct by political parties.
The right to freedom of speech and expression (Article 19(1)(a)) and the right to assemble peacefully (Article 19(1)(b)) are crucial for political campaigning, subject to reasonable restrictions, which the ECI must balance with maintaining law and order.
GS-II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States; separation of powers; comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries. Parliament and State Legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these. Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
General Awareness: Indian Polity and Constitution, Election Commission, Fundamental Rights.
General Awareness: Indian Political System, Constitutional Bodies.
General Knowledge: Indian Polity, Election System.
General Awareness: Indian Constitution, Electoral Process.
Consider the following statements: 1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies. 2. In 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies. 3. As per the existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his/her party should bear the cost of bye-elections to the constituencies vacated by him/her in the event of him/her winning in all the constituencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements: 1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State. 2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 1 only
For election to the Lok Sabha, a nomination paper can be filed by
Answer: any citizen of India whose name appears in the electoral roll of a constituency.
High for UPSC (Polity), Medium for SSC/State PSCs, Low-Medium for Banking/Railway/Defence (General Awareness).
Constitutional body for election administration.
State-level officer overseeing elections under ECI.
Guidelines for parties/candidates during elections.
Ensuring fair and equal opportunities for all participants in an election.