Tag: election commission

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“Checks and balances are most critical where administrative authorities exercise quasi-judicial powers affecting democratic rights”. Comment.

Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive Q4. “Checks and balances are most critical where administrative authorities exercise quasi-judicial powers affecting democratic rights”. Comment. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: NIE Why the question The issue gained relevance following the debate over the Meenakshi Natarajan Rajya Sabha nomination and the broader discussion on the …

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Explain the significance of internal party democracy in a parliamentary system. Discuss the factors that hinder its effective institutionalisation in India.

Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. Q3. Explain the significance of internal party democracy in a parliamentary system. Discuss the factors that hinder its effective institutionalisation in India. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: IE Why the question Recent debates on defections, dynastic leadership and organisational crises in political parties have highlighted …

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What is meant by institutional autonomy? Examine the major challenges affecting institutional autonomy in India. Suggest measures to strengthen institutional autonomy while ensuring democratic accountability.

Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies Q3. What is meant by institutional autonomy? Examine the major challenges affecting institutional autonomy in India. Suggest measures to strengthen institutional autonomy while ensuring democratic accountability. (15 M). Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: NIE Why the question Institutional autonomy is central to constitutional governance, rule of law and checks …

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“The credibility of regulatory and oversight functions entrusted to constitutional bodies depends largely on the clarity of their constitutional mandates.” Analyse this statement. Examine how ambiguity in mandates has affected their functioning. Suggest institutional reforms to address such issues.

Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies. Q4. “The credibility of regulatory and oversight functions entrusted to constitutional bodies depends largely on the clarity of their constitutional mandates.” Analyse this statement. Examine how ambiguity in mandates has affected their functioning. Suggest institutional reforms to address such issues. (15 …

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Traditional Indelible Ink

Source:  IE Subject:  Science and Technology Context: Maharashtra’s State Election Commission has decided to revert to traditional indelible ink for zilla parishad and panchayat samiti elections after complaints that marker-pen ink used in municipal polls could be wiped off. About Traditional Indelible Ink: What it is? Indelible ink is a permanent marking ink applied on …

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The Representation of People’s Act is the backbone of India’s electoral democracy, yet its provisions remain inadequately enforced. Analyse the causes and implications.

Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act Q3. The Representation of People’s Act is the backbone of India’s electoral democracy, yet its provisions remain inadequately enforced. Analyse the causes and implications. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: InsightsIAS Why the question: Debates over electoral transparency, criminalisation of politics, and institutional limitations have revived …

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Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs)

Syllabus: Political parties Source:  DC Context: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the delisting of 345 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) that have not contested any elections since 2019 and are physically untraceable. About Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs): RUPPs are political entities registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People …

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Democratic institutions must evolve from procedural formalism to active citizen engagement. Analyse in the context of uncontested elections in India. Suggest institutional reforms to safeguard voter empowerment where electoral choice is limited.

Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. Q3. Democratic institutions must evolve from procedural formalism to active citizen engagement. Analyse in the context of uncontested elections in India. Suggest institutional reforms to safeguard voter empowerment where electoral choice is limited. (15 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: IE Why the question: The Supreme Court …

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Why are electoral reforms necessary?

Source:  NIE Context: The Election Commission (EC) has invited political parties to discuss strengthening the electoral process amid allegations of electoral roll manipulation, duplicate EPIC numbers, and concerns over EVM-VVPAT reliability. These issues highlight the urgent need for electoral reforms to ensure free and fair elections. About Electoral Reforms: Legal Provisions for Electoral Reforms: Article …

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The Election Commission’s role in conducting elections is pivotal, yet its powers to regulate internal party democracy remain limited. Critically examine this limitation and propose reforms to ensure intra-party democracy.

Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act Q3. The Election Commission’s role in conducting elections is pivotal, yet its powers to regulate internal party democracy remain limited. Critically examine this limitation and propose reforms to ensure intra-party democracy. (10 M) Difficulty Level: Medium Reference: InsightsIAS Why the question: The limitations of the Election …

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“Mummy-Papa, Vote Do” campaign

Context: Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand, the Election Commission launched an innovative voter awareness campaign, “Mummy-Papa, Vote Do,” engaging schoolchildren to encourage their parents to vote. About “Mummy-Papa, Vote Do” Campaign: Objective: Aimed at increasing voter turnout by involving children in urging their parents to vote. Method: Over 1.7 million students from …

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SC calls out centre over short tenures of CEC

GS Paper 2 Syllabus: Appointment to various Constitutional Posts, Powers, Functions and Responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies   Source: TH  Direction: The article highlights the SC’s views on the deficiencies in India’s Election Commissioners appointment procedure, as well as solutions to address these shortcomings.   Context: According to the Supreme Court, the government does not …

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Insights into Editorial: Act now, recast the selection process of the ECs

Context: The attendance of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and his Election Commissioner (EC) colleagues at an “informal” meeting with the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister has brought renewed focus on the independence and impartiality of the Election Commission of India (ECI). The CEC’s initial hesitation when “summoned” was appropriate given that the ECI …

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Questioning the impartiality of the Election Commission

GS Paper 2: Topics Covered: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.   Context: The opposition has questioned the impartiality of the upcoming elections in five states after Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra and Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey attended an online interaction called by …

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The Election Commission and Its Challenges

Saurabh Goyal A Democracy thrives on the integrity, competency and neutrality of its public institutions. Election commission (EC) is arguably single most important institution in a democracy. It is so critical for a democracy that quality of this institution is a baseline to evaluate the overall veracity of representative institutions.EC is constitutionally entrusted to work …

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