Question 93 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Polity and
Governance

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The Election Commission of India is a five-member body.
2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.
3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. 3 only

Strategy: Analyze each statement based on the Election Commission's composition and powers.

*   Dismiss the claim of a fixed five-member composition.
*   Dismiss the claim that the Ministry of Home Affairs sets the election schedule.
*   Confirm the Election Commission's role in resolving internal party disputes.

Conclude that only the third statement is correct.

Key Info: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution. It is responsible for conducting and supervising elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President.

**Composition and Powers**

*   The commission's composition is not fixed. It can consist of a single Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) or additional Election Commissioners as decided by the President. It currently operates as a three-member body, with no provision for a fixed five-member structure.
*   The scheduling and conduct of all elections, including the preparation of the election calendar, is the exclusive domain of the Election Commission, not the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
*   The ECI holds quasi-judicial powers under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. This authority allows it to decide disputes related to splits and mergers within recognized political parties and to determine which faction retains the party name and symbol.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only