Question
Examine the powers possessed by the Election Commission of India.
Solution
The powers of the Election Commission of India are:
(i)EC takes decisions on every aspect of conduct and control of elections from the announcement of elections to the declaration of results.
(ii)It implements the Code of Conduct and punishes any candidate or party that violates it.
(iii)During the election period, the EC can order the government to follow some guidelines, to prevent use and misuse of governmental power to enhance its chances to win elections, or to transfer some government officials.
(iv)When on election duty, government officers work under the control of the EC and not the government.
