election commission of India,eci

ECI History in India

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering and supervising elections in India. It was established on 25th January 1950, just a few months after India gained its independence from British colonial rule. The ECI is a permanent body and is responsible for conducting all types of elections in India, including national, state, and local government elections.

The ECI was established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, which gives it the power to conduct, control, and supervise all elections to the Parliament of India, the state legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice-President of India. The ECI is also responsible for determining the eligibility of political parties to contest elections, registering political parties, and monitoring political campaign finance.

The first Chief Election Commissioner of India was Sukumar Sen, who served from 21st March 1950 to 19th December 1958. He was responsible for overseeing the first general elections in India, which were held in 1951-52, and the subsequent elections in 1957. Sukumar Sen's tenure was marked by the successful conduct of free and fair elections, which were widely hailed as a major achievement for Indian democracy.

Over the years, the ECI has played a key role in strengthening Indian democracy by ensuring free and fair elections, promoting voter education, and enforcing electoral laws. Some of the key milestones in the history of the ECI are as follows:

In 1957, the ECI introduced the system of using indelible ink to mark voters to prevent multiple voting.

In 1966, the ECI introduced the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in elections, making India one of the first countries in the world to use such technology.

In 1989, the ECI introduced the system of photo voter identity cards to prevent impersonation and bogus voting.

In 2009, the ECI launched the National Voters' Service Portal (NVSP), an online platform that allows voters to register online, check their electoral roll status, and access other election-related services.

In 2013, the ECI launched a new system of electronic transmission of postal ballots for service voters, making it easier for them to cast their votes.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ECI introduced several new measures to ensure safe and secure elections, including extending voting hours, increasing the number of polling stations, and providing masks, sanitizers, and gloves to voters and polling staff.

The ECI has also faced several challenges over the years, including allegations of election rigging, voter intimidation, and misuse of government resources for political purposes. However, the ECI has generally been able to maintain its independence and credibility, and is widely regarded as one of the most effective election management bodies in the world.