Question

What is the term of chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner?
A.4 years of upto 65 years of age
B.5 years or upto 65 years of age
C.6 years or upto 65 years of age
D.10 years or upto 65 years of age

Answer 1

Hint:The Chief Election Commissioner is appointed by the President, usually the senior most Election Commissioner is appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner. He/she enjoys the same status and salary as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Complete answer:
To carry out free and fair elections with universal adult suffrage, there exists an election commission. Article 324 of the Indian Constitution provides for an independent Election Commission for the ‘superintendence, direction and control of the electoral roll and the conduct of elections’ in India.
The body can have either one or multiple members.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) presides over the Election Commission. However, he does not have more powers than the other Election Commissioners. The CEC and the two Election Commissioners have equal powers to make decisions regarding elections as a collective body. They are appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
The Constitution of India has chosen to ensure the security of the tenure of the CEC and Election Commissioners as they are appointed for a six year term or continue till the age of 65, whichever is earlier. They can also be removed before the term if both Houses vote for it in a majority with the President’s assent. The EC has very little staff of its own, but the machinery and administration come under it during the elections.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: It is possible for the ruling party to choose whichever election commissioner they prefer since he/she is appointed with the advice of the council of ministers. Hence, there are chances of manipulation. Yet, largely, the election commission remains an independent body which can exercise its full control in order to carry out democratic elections in a free and fair manner while ensuring the universal adult franchise, allotting symbols to the party and placing voting booths even at the most remote areas.