Kerala State Election Commission

Kerala State Election Commission
Agency overview
Formed3 December 1993[1]
JurisdictionKerala
Agency executive
  • A.Shajahan IAS, Chief Election Commissioner.
Websitewww.sec.kerala.gov.in www.ceo.kerala.gov.in/home.html

Kerala State Election Commission is an autonomous and constitutional body constituted in Indian state of Kerala for ensuring that elections are conducted in a free, fair and unbiased way. Constitution of India with provisions as per Article 243K and 243 ZA and Article 324 ensures creation and safeguarding of the powers of State Election Commissions. The Kerala State Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections for Urban Local Bodies like Municipalities and Municipal Corporations, as well as Rural Local Bodies like Panchayats (which include Gram Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and District Panchayats), and any others specified by the Election Commission of India. Kerala State Election Commissioner is appointed by Governor of Kerala.

History and Administration

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Kerala State Election Commission was formed in accordance with powers of Election Commission of India, which was constituted in year 1950[2] to supervise state level elections.[3] State election commissioner is appointed by Governor.[4][5] To ensure the autonomy of the position, the Kerala state election commissioner cannot be removed from office except on the grounds and manner specified for judge of High Court.

Kerala State Election Commission operates from Vikas Bhavan premises, located near Kerala State Assembly premises.[6]

Powers and Responsibilities

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Kerala States Election Commissioner is responsible for the following:[2][7]

  • Releasing election schedule.
  • Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State.
  • Conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State.
  • Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.
  • Conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.[8][9]
  • Laying guidelines for persons eligible to contest in elections for Municipal Corporations in State.
  • Conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.[10]
  • Model code of conduct are following in elections for local bodies.[11]
  • Updating Electoral rolls with new additions.
  • Updating Electoral rolls with removals, if any.
  • Declaration of results of elections held for Municipal Corporations in State.
  • Declaration of results of elections held for Municipal panchayats in State.
  • Ordering repoll if needed.
  • Making arrangements for Statewide polls.
  • Monitoring poll expenditure for Panchayat polls.
  • Laying guidelines for issue of opinion polls.
  • Decision on conducting elections.
  • Declaring results of local body polls.
  • Municipal and Panchayat constituencies delimitation exercise.
  • Countermanding elections in case of mal practices.

Composition

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Kerala State Election Commission is headed by Chief Election Commissioner and as many members as specified in State Act.[12] State Election Commissioners are independent persons not holding position or office in any Central or State Government organisations[13]

Sri A.Shajahan IAS, is the Chief Election Commissioner of Kerala State Election Commission.[14] His period of service will be 5 years or attaining an age of 65 years whichever is earlier.

Constitutional Requirements

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Kerala State Election Commission was formed after amendment of Constitution with 73rd and 74th declaration.[15] State Election Commissions were formed as per Article 243K of the Constitution, similar to setting up of Election commission of India as per Article 324.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kerala State Election Commission". www.sec.kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b "WHAT IS ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA (ECI)?". Business Standard India. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  3. ^ a b "State election panels: Independent of central EC, with similar powers". The Indian Express. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  4. ^ "India Code: Section Details". www.indiacode.nic.in. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  5. ^ "State Election Commissioner Conditions of Service Rules, 1994". www.bareactslive.com. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  6. ^ "CM inaugurates new HQ of State Election Commission". The New Indian Express. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Election Commission directs all state electoral officers to immediately redress all pending voter applications". The Statesman. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Local Body Election Dates To Be Announced Soon; Polls Likely Before 10 Dec". Deshabhimani. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Kerala: State Election Commission issues official notification for local body election today". newsonair.gov.in. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  10. ^ Unnithan, P. S. Gopikrishnan (6 November 2021). "Kerala: Local body elections to be held in 3 phases, counting of votes on December 16". India Today. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  11. ^ "State Election Commission Seeks Explanation from Kerala CM on Free Covid-19 Vaccine Announcement". News18. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Kerala gets new chief electoral officer". Mathrubhumi. 7 July 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  13. ^ "State election commissioners should be independent, says SC". www.telegraphindia.com. 13 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Shajahan is new SEC". The Hindu. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  15. ^ "India State Election - Find information of all State elections in India". www.elections.in. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
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