Meghalaya State Election Commission

Meghalaya State Election Commission is an autonomous and statutory body constituted in Indian state of Meghalaya for ensuring that elections in are conducted in free, fair and unbiased way. Constitution of India with provisions as per Article 243K and 243 ZA and Article 324 ensures creation and safeguarding of the powers of State Election Commissions. Meghalaya State Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections for Urban Local Bodies like Municipalities, Municipal Corporations, Panchayats and any other specified by Election Commission of India. Meghalaya State Election Commissioner is appointed by Governor of Meghalaya.

Meghalaya State Election Commission
Agency overview
JurisdictionMeghalaya
HeadquartersState Election Commission, Shri K.G. Nongrum,Address: Office of theChief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya, Shillong.Additional Secretariat, Room No : 128.[1]
Agency executive
  • Sri FR Kharkongor., Chief Electoral Officer.
Websiteceomeghalaya.nic.in

History and administration

Meghalaya State Election Commission was formed in accordance with powers of Election Commission of India, which was constituted in year 1950[2] to supervise state level elections.[3] State election commissioner is appointed by governor.[4][5] To ensure the autonomy of the position, the Meghalaya state election commissioner cannot be removed from office except on the grounds and manner specified for judge of high court.

In 2021, the Election Commission of India awarded office of the chief electoral officer, Meghalaya, with National Best Electoral Practices Awards-2020, in recognition of implementing information technology applications in elections.[6]

Powers and responsibilities

Meghalaya State Election Commission is responsible for the following:[2][7]

  • Releasing election schedule.[8]
  • Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for municipal corporations in state.
  • Conducting elections for municipal corporations in state.
  • Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for conducting elections for municipal panchayats in state.
  • Conducting elections for municipal panchayats in state.
  • Laying guidelines for persons eligible to contest in elections for municipal corporations in state.
  • Model code of conduct are following in elections for local bodies.
  • Updating electoral rolls with new additions.
  • Updating electoral rolls with removals, if any.
  • Declaration of results of elections held for municipal corporations in state.
  • Declaration of results of elections held for municipal panchayats in state.
  • Ordering repoll if needed.
  • Making arrangements for statewide polls.[9]
  • Monitoring poll expenditure for panchayat polls.[10]
  • Laying guidelines for issue of opinion polls.
  • Decision on conducting elections.[11]
  • Ensure proper counting of votes polled in local body polls.
  • Declaring results of local body polls.
  • Municipal and Panchayat constituencies delimitation exercise.
  • Countermanding elections in case of malpractice.
  • Issuing guidelines for voting in local body elections.
  • Organising demonstration of electronic voting machine and VVPAT.
  • Encouraging public to participate in elections.[12]

Composition

Meghalaya State Election Commission is headed by chief election commissioner and as many members as specified in the state act. State election commissioners are independent persons not holding position or office in any central or state government organisations.[13]

Sri FR Kharkongor is the chief electoral officer of Meghalaya State Election Commission.[9] His period of service will be 5 years or attaining an age of 65 years whichever is earlier.

Constitutional requirements

Meghalaya State Election Commission was formed after amendment of constitution with 73rd and 74th declaration.[14] State election commissions were formed as per Article 243K of the Constitution, similar to setting up of election commission of India as per Article 324.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Contact Officials: Office of the Chief Election Commissioner". ceomeghalaya.nic.in. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  2. "What is election commission of India (ECI)?". Business Standard India. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  3. "State election panels: Independent of central EC, with similar powers". The Indian Express. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  4. "India Code: Section Details". www.indiacode.nic.in. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  5. "State Election Commissioner Conditions of Service Rules, 1994". www.bareactslive.com. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  6. Arora, Sumit (28 January 2021). "Meghalaya wins National Award for Best Electoral Practices 2020". adda247. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  7. "Election Commission directs all state electoral officers to immediately redress all pending voter applications". The Statesman. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  8. "Election Commission issues Meghalaya Assembly election notification". WION. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  9. "Election Commission announces by-election to three Assembly seats in Meghalaya on Oct 30". newsonair.gov.in. 28 September 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  10. "Election Commission team to visit Meghalaya on Wednesday". Northeast now. 12 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  11. "Ensure Fair Voting In Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland: Election Commission". NDTV.com. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  12. "Meghalya election commission ropes in Usha Uthup to motivate young voters - inside me". insideme. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  13. "State election commissioners should be independent, says SC". telegraphindia.com. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  14. "India State Election - Find information of all State elections in India". www.elections.in. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
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