Describe the role of the election commission of india in conducting free and fair poll?
Answers
The Election Commission of India is considered the custodian of free and fair elections.
It issues the Model Code of Conduct in every election for political parties and candidates so that the dignity of democracy is maintained.
It regulates political parties and registers them for being eligible to contest elections.
It publishes the allowed limits of campaign expenditure per candidate to all the political parties, and also monitors the same.
The political parties must submit their annual reports to the ECI for getting tax benefit on contributions.
It ensures that all the political parties regularly submit their audited financial reports.
Some of the powers wielded by the ECI are as follows:
The Commission can suppress the results of opinion polls if it deems such an action fit for the cause of democracy.
The Commission can advise for disqualification of members after the elections if it thinks they have violated certain guidelines.
In case, a candidate is found guilty of corrupt practices during the elections, the Supreme Court and High Courts consult the Commission.
The Commission can suspend candidates who fail to submit their election expense accounts timely