SSC Polity Election PPT Slides (LEC #18)

This article covers SSC Polity Election PPT Slides (LEC #18) – Election (चुनाव), part of the Complete Foundation Batch PPT Series at slideshareppt.net. Elections and the Election Commission are among the most frequently tested topics in SSC CGL, CHSL, CPO, and MTS exams. Questions are asked on Article 324, composition of ECI, CEC appointment and removal, types of elections, voting age (61st Amendment), FPTP vs STV, Model Code of Conduct, EVMs, political party recognition, and disqualification of candidates.

PPT Details

Field	Details
PPT Title	SSC Polity Election PPT Slides (LEC #18)
Subject	Polity – Election (चुनाव)
Series	Complete Foundation Batch for All SSC and Other Exams (PPT Series)
Total Slides	73 PPT Slides
File Size	19 MB
Serial Number	#74
Lecture	LEC #18
Format	PowerPoint (.pptx) + PDF
Target Exams	SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC CPO, SSC GD, SSC Steno
Website	slideshareppt.net

SSC Polity Election PPT Slides (LEC #18)

Note: Above is PPT in GOOGLE SLIDES (HTML AND IFRAME COMBINATION) and if you wish to download the Complete SSC series (PPT slides), Simply visit this redirect page – REDIRECT PAGE.

1. Elections in India – Introduction

• India is the world’s largest democracy; conducts the largest elections in the world
• Elections are the foundation of democratic governance – citizens choose their representatives
• The Indian Constitution provides for Universal Adult Franchise (Article 326) – every citizen above 18 years has the right to vote
• Part XV of the Constitution (Articles 324–329) deals with Elections
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is the independent constitutional body that oversees all elections
• National Voters’ Day: 25 January (anniversary of ECI’s establishment in 1950)

2. Key Constitutional Articles – Elections

Article	Subject
Article 324	Superintendence, direction and control of elections vested in Election Commission
Article 325	No person to be ineligible for inclusion in electoral rolls on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex
Article 326	Elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies on basis of adult suffrage; minimum voting age 18 years
Article 327	Power of Parliament to make provisions with respect to elections to legislatures
Article 328	Power of State Legislatures to make provisions with respect to elections to such legislature
Article 329	Bar on courts to interfere with electoral matters (except election petition under law made by Parliament)
Article 243K	State Election Commission for Panchayat elections
Article 243ZA	State Election Commission for Municipality elections
Article 54	Election of President by Electoral College
Article 66	Election of Vice President by both Houses of Parliament
Article 80	Election of Rajya Sabha members by elected MLAs
Article 81	Election of Lok Sabha members by direct election

3. Election Commission of India – Article 324

Feature	Details
Constitutional Article	Article 324
Nature	Constitutional body; independent of Legislature and Executive
Composition	Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) + Election Commissioners (ECs); currently CEC + 2 ECs
Appointment	CEC and ECs appointed by President of India
Term	6 years OR till age 65, whichever is earlier
Removal of CEC	Same as removal of a Supreme Court judge – address by both Houses of Parliament (2/3 majority + majority of total membership) + President’s order
Removal of EC	On recommendation of CEC; by President; cannot be removed arbitrarily (91st Amendment 2023 – now same as CEC)
Salary charged to	Consolidated Fund of India (non-votable)
Headquarters	Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi
First CEC of India	Sukumar Sen (1950–1958)
Current CEC (2024)	Rajiv Kumar (appointed 2022; term till 2025)
Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act 2023	Changed appointment process – now Search Committee + Appointment Committee (PM + Leader of Opposition + Cabinet Minister nominated by PM)

Independence of Election Commission

• CEC cannot be removed except by the same procedure as removal of a Supreme Court judge – provides strong security of tenure
• Salary and service conditions of CEC and ECs charged to Consolidated Fund of India – not subject to Parliamentary vote
• Service conditions of CEC and ECs cannot be varied to their disadvantage after appointment
• The ECI operates independently of the Central and State governments
• Courts cannot interfere in electoral matters during the election process (Article 329); only election petitions allowed after results

Chief Election Commissioner and Other ECs (Appointment) Act 2023

• Passed in December 2023 by Parliament – new law for appointment of CEC and ECs
• Appointment Committee: Prime Minister (Chair) + Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha + one Cabinet Minister nominated by PM
• Search Committee: Cabinet Secretary + 2 senior Secretaries to Government of India – prepares a panel of 5 names
• Supreme Court in Anoop Baranwal Case (2023) had directed that ECs should be appointed by a committee including CJI; this Act replaced CJI with a Cabinet Minister

4. Functions of the Election Commission of India

Function	Details
Superintendence of elections	Overall control and direction over elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and offices of President and VP
Preparation of electoral rolls	Prepares and periodically revises electoral rolls for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and state assemblies
Delimitation of constituencies	Works with Delimitation Commission; notifies delimitation orders
Recognition of political parties	Recognises national and state parties; allots election symbols
Model Code of Conduct (MCC)	Enforces MCC from date of announcement of elections till results; ensures level playing field
Election schedule	Announces election dates; issues election schedule
Conduct of polls	Ensures free and fair polling; coordinates with civil administration and security forces
Election expenditure	Monitors election expenditure limits; takes action on violations
Disqualification of candidates	Advises President/Governor on disqualification of sitting MPs/MLAs
EVMs and VVPATs	Oversees use of Electronic Voting Machines and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail
Bye-elections	Conducts bye-elections when a seat falls vacant mid-term

5. Types of Elections in India

Type of Election	Electorate	Method	Presiding Authority
Lok Sabha	All registered voters (18+ years)	Direct election; FPTP system	Election Commission of India
State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)	All registered voters (18+ years)	Direct election; FPTP system	Election Commission of India
Rajya Sabha	Elected MLAs of each State/UT legislature	Indirect; Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote	Election Commission of India
State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad)	Various: MLAs (1/3), Local bodies (1/3), Graduates (1/12), Teachers (1/12), Governor nominated (1/6)	Indirect; different methods for different quota	Election Commission of India
President of India	Electoral College: elected MPs + elected MLAs	Indirect; Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote	Election Commission of India
Vice President of India	Both Houses of Parliament (elected + nominated)	Indirect; Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote	Election Commission of India
Panchayat elections	Registered voters in that panchayat area	Direct election	State Election Commission
Municipality elections	Registered voters in that municipal ward	Direct election	State Election Commission

FPTP vs STV – Key Difference

• FPTP (First Past The Post): candidate with highest number of votes wins; used for Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections; simple and fast but may not reflect proportional preference
• STV (Single Transferable Vote / Proportional Representation): voter ranks candidates in preference order; used for President, VP, Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Parishad elections; ensures proportional representation

6. Universal Adult Franchise and Voting Age

• Article 326 provides for election to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage
• Every person who is a citizen of India and is not less than 18 years of age is entitled to be registered as a voter
• No person shall be ineligible on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or any of them (Article 325)
• Disqualification grounds: non-residence, unsound mind, crime, corrupt or illegal practice

Amendment	Year	Change
61st Constitutional Amendment	1988	Reduced voting age from 21 years to 18 years (Article 326)
Original Constitution (1950)	1950	Voting age was 21 years
Representation of the People Act 1950	1950	Governed preparation of electoral rolls; voting age 21
Representation of the People Act 1951	1951	Governs conduct of elections; disqualifications; election disputes

7. Model Code of Conduct (MCC)

• The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India
• It is NOT statutory – based on ECI’s constitutional authority under Article 324
• Comes into force from the date of announcement of the election schedule
• Remains in force till the date of declaration of results
• MCC applies to: political parties, candidates, and the ruling government at Centre and State
• Under MCC: government cannot announce new schemes, make new appointments, use government machinery for campaigning
• Candidates cannot bribe voters, use caste/religion for votes, use government resources
• ECI can issue notices, warnings, and recommend prosecution for MCC violations

8. Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and VVPAT

EVM – Electronic Voting Machine

• Introduced to replace paper ballot boxes and reduce electoral malpractice
• Pilot testing: 1982 in Paravur constituency, Kerala (70 polling booths)
• Used in all constituencies nationally from 2004 General Elections onwards
• EVM consists of two units: Ballot Unit (at polling booth) + Control Unit (with Presiding Officer)
• EVM is standalone – not connected to internet; cannot be hacked remotely
• Manufactured by: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL)

VVPAT – Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail

• Attached to EVM; prints a paper slip showing the party symbol and candidate name for whom the vote was cast
• Voter can verify their vote was correctly recorded; slip automatically drops into sealed box
• Pilot testing: 2013 in Noksen constituency, Nagaland
• Implemented in all polling stations nationally from 2019 General Elections
• VVPAT slips are counted in case of disputes or random verification

9. Recognition of Political Parties

Category	Criteria for Recognition	Benefits
National Party	Wins 2% of seats in Lok Sabha from at least 3 states; OR gets 6% of valid votes in 4 or more states + wins 4 LS seats; OR wins 10 LS seats	Reserved election symbol throughout India; VVIP security; office space; broadcast time on Doordarshan/AIR
State Party	Gets 6% of valid votes in the state + wins 2 seats in assembly; OR wins 3% of seats or 3 seats in state assembly	Reserved election symbol in that state; office space in state
Registered (Unrecognised) Party	Registered with ECI but not fulfilling above criteria	Can use a symbol but not reserved; no other special benefits

Current National Parties in India (2024)

• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
• Indian National Congress (INC)
• Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
• Communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPI(M)
• National People’s Party (NPP)
• Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
• Note: Number of national parties changes based on election performance; ECI periodically reviews recognition

10. Delimitation of Constituencies

• Delimitation = redrawing of boundaries of electoral constituencies based on population changes
• Delimitation Commission: statutory body constituted by Parliament under Delimitation Act
• Members: Retired SC judge (Chairman) + CEC + State Election Commissioner of concerned state
• Delimitation Commission’s orders have force of law; cannot be challenged in any court
• Delimitations done in: 1952, 1963, 1973, 2002 (based on 2001 census; used for 2008 elections)
• Article 82 – After every census, Parliament shall readjust the allocation of seats and delimitation of constituencies
• After 84th Amendment 2001: delimitation of constituencies frozen till after 2026 to not penalise states for population control
• Next delimitation: after 2026 (based on post-2026 census)

11. Disqualification of Candidates and Members

Ground	Provision
Conviction with 2+ years imprisonment	Representation of People Act 1951 (Section 8); disqualified for 6 years after release
Corrupt practices at elections	RPA 1951 (Section 8A); disqualified for 6 years
Dismissed from government service for corruption	RPA 1951
Interest in government contracts	RPA 1951
Failure to lodge election expense accounts	RPA 1951
Anti-Defection Law (10th Schedule)	Voluntarily giving up party membership; voting against party whip
Office of profit	Article 102 / 191 – holding office of profit under Centre or State Government
Unsound mind / insolvency	Article 102 / 191

Lily Thomas Case (2013) – Landmark SC Judgment

• SC held: Section 8(4) of RPA 1951 (which allowed convicted MPs/MLAs to continue till appeal decided) is unconstitutional
• Now: if an MP/MLA is convicted with 2+ years sentence, disqualification is immediate – no protection during appeal period
• This judgment was based on Article 102(1)(e) and Article 191(1)(e) read with RPA 1951

12. Election Commission of India vs State Election Commission

Feature	Election Commission of India (ECI)	State Election Commission (SEC)
Constitutional basis	Article 324	Article 243K (Panchayats) + Article 243ZA (Municipalities)
Jurisdiction	Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, President, VP	Panchayats and Municipalities in that state
Appointment	CEC and ECs appointed by President	State Election Commissioner appointed by Governor
Removal	CEC: same as SC judge; ECs: on CEC’s recommendation	Same as HC judge
Salary charged to	Consolidated Fund of India	Consolidated Fund of State
Relationship	National body; independent of states	State body; independent of state government
Model Code of Conduct	Enforced for all elections under ECI	Not formally applicable

13. Election Petitions and Disputes

• After declaration of election results, a person can challenge the election by filing an election petition
• Election petition for Lok Sabha and State Assembly: filed in the High Court within 45 days of declaration of results
• High Court can declare election void; order fresh elections; or declare another candidate elected
• Appeal from HC: to Supreme Court
• Election of President and VP: disputes decided by Supreme Court (Article 71)
• Article 329 – Bar on courts: no court shall question the validity of any law relating to delimitation OR question election of any person to Parliament or State Legislature except by election petition as provided in law

14. Quick Revision Fact Table – Elections

Fact	Detail
Election Commission established	25 January 1950 – celebrated as National Voters’ Day since 2011
Article 324	Vests superintendence of elections in Election Commission
First CEC of India	Sukumar Sen (1950–1958)
Multi-member ECI	Became multi-member in 1989; originally single-member (only CEC)
Voting age reduced to 18	61st Constitutional Amendment 1988; effective for 1989 General Elections
Universal Adult Franchise	Article 326; every citizen 18+ can vote regardless of caste, religion, sex, literacy
FPTP System	First Past The Post – candidate with most votes wins; used for LS and Vidhan Sabha
STV System	Single Transferable Vote – used for President, VP, RS, Vidhan Parishad elections
Model Code of Conduct	Not statutory – enforced by ECI’s moral authority; comes into force from election announcement
EVM introduced	Pilot tested 1982 (Paravur, Kerala); used nationally from 2004
VVPAT introduced	Pilot 2013 (Noksen, Nagaland); full implementation from 2019 General Elections
Total Lok Sabha seats	543 (currently; max 552 possible)
Total Rajya Sabha seats	245 (233 elected + 12 nominated)
Total State Assembly seats (approximate)	4,120+ across all states and UTs with legislature
Election petition	Filed in High Court within 45 days of declaration of result (RPA 1951)
Delimitation Commission	Statutory body; constituted by Parliament; last delimitation done for 2008 elections; next after 2026
NOTA option	None of the Above option introduced in 2013 by ECI
Anti-defection – EC’s role	ECI advises President/Governor on disqualification of MPs/MLAs under Art 103/192
Proxy voting	Allowed for service voters (NRI voters since 2011 can enrol but physically vote)
CEC appointment (post-2023 Act)	Search Committee recommends; Appointment Committee: PM + Leader of Opposition + one Cabinet Minister nominated by PM

also read: SSC Polity UPSC and State PSC PPT Slides (LEC #17)

15. Key Takeaways for SSC Exams

• Article 324 – ECI vested with superintendence, direction, and control of elections
• Article 325 – No exclusion from electoral rolls on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex
• Article 326 – Universal Adult Franchise; voting age 18 years (reduced by 61st Amendment 1988)
• Article 329 – Courts cannot interfere in electoral matters; only election petition allowed
• ECI: CEC + 2 ECs; appointed by President; CEC removed same as SC judge
• CEC term: 6 years OR 65 years of age; salary from CFI
• First CEC: Sukumar Sen (1950); ECI established: 25 January 1950
• National Voters’ Day: 25 January (since 2011)
• FPTP: LS and Vidhan Sabha elections; STV: President, VP, RS, Vidhan Parishad
• MCC: not statutory; ECI authority; from announcement to results declaration
• EVM nationally: 2004; VVPAT nationally: 2019; NOTA introduced: 2013
• National party: 6% votes in 4+ states + 4 LS seats; OR 2% LS seats from 3+ states
• Election petition: in HC within 45 days; President/VP disputes in SC
• Lily Thomas Case 2013: convicted MP/MLA immediately disqualified; no protection during appeal
• Delimitation frozen till post-2026 census (84th Amendment 2001).