Consider the following statements : (i) The Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India paid the salary equal to the salary of the judge of the Supreme Court. (ii) The term of Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India shall be for a period of 6 years from the date of assuming office or till the age of 65 years, whichever comes first. (iii) An Election Commissioner may, at any time, by writing under his hand addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, resign his office. Choose the correct statement.

Consider the following statements : (i) The Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India paid the salary equal to the salary of the judge of the Supreme Court. (ii) The term of Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India shall be for a period of 6 years from the date of assuming office or till the age of 65 years, whichever comes first. (iii) An Election Commissioner may, at any time, by writing under his hand addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, resign his office. Choose the correct statement. Correct Answer (i) and (ii)

The correct answer is (i) and (ii).

Key Points

• Election Commission of India (ECI):
  • A permanent and independent body established by the Constitution of India directly to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
  • Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to
    1. Parliament,
    2. State Legislatures,
    3. The office of President of India and
    4. The office of Vice-President of India shall be vested in the Election Commission.
  • Thus, the Election Commission is an all-India body in the sense that it is common to both the Central government and the State governments.
  • The Chief Election Commissioner and the two other Election Commissioners have equal powers and receive equal salary, allowances and other perquisites, which are similar to those of a judge of the Supreme Court. Hence statement (I) is correct.
  • The Chief Election Commissioner is provided with the 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. 
  • In other words, he can be removed by the President on the basis of a resolution passed to that effect by both the Houses of Parliament with the special majority, either on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. Hence statement (iii) is not correct.
  • The term of Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India shall be for a period of 6 years from the date of assuming office or till the age of 65 years, whichever comes first. Hence statement (ii) is correct.