🗳️ Article 324 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Superintendence, Direction and Control of Elections to be vested in an Election Commission
📘 Purpose:
Article 324 provides for the establishment, powers, and responsibilities of the Election Commission of India (ECI). It is the guardian of free and fair elections in India.
🔍 Key Provisions of Article 324:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Authority Created | Election Commission of India (ECI) |
| Vested Powers | ECI has power of superintendence, direction, and control over elections |
| Types of Elections Covered | - President & Vice-President of India |
-
Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha)
-
State Legislatures (Vidhan Sabha & Vidhan Parishad) |
| Composition of ECI | - Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) -
Other Election Commissioners (as decided by the President) |
| Appointment | By the President of India |
| Tenure / Service Conditions | Decided by the President, subject to any law made by Parliament |
| Assistance from Staff | President (for central) and Governors (for states) make staff available to the Commission |
📊 Summary Chart: Article 324 – Election Commission of India
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Body Established | Election Commission of India (ECI) |
| Head | Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) |
| Other Members | Election Commissioners (number decided by the President) |
| Authority Covers Elections Of | President, Vice President, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies |
| Appointed By | President of India |
| Powers Granted | Supervision, direction, and control of elections |
| Staff Support | Provided by President/Governors (central/state level) |
🧠 Why Article 324 is Important:
-
Guarantees independent and fair elections
-
Prevents interference by government in electoral processes
-
Provides a constitutional backing to the Election Commission’s authority
✅ Example Applications:
| Situation | Power under Article 324 |
|---|---|
| Postponing elections due to floods | ECI uses Article 324 powers to reschedule polls |
| Taking action against a political party violating model code | ECI issues warnings or bans using Article 324 |
| Deploying central forces during polling | Done under ECI’s supervision and control |
Here is a 📊 Comparison Chart of Articles 324 to 329 of the Indian Constitution — covering the Election System of India, as laid out in Part XV (Articles 324–329):
🗳️ Articles 324 to 329 – Elections in India (Part XV)
| Article | Title | Key Provisions | Authority Involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 324 | Superintendence, direction and control of elections | Establishes Election Commission of India (ECI) with powers to conduct and supervise elections (President, Parliament, State Assemblies) | President (appoints), ECI (executes) |
| 325 | No person to be ineligible for inclusion in electoral rolls | No discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex in voter registration. One general electoral roll for each constituency | Election Commission |
| 326 | Elections to be based on adult suffrage | Elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies must be based on universal adult suffrage (18+ years, Indian citizen) | Citizens of India |
| 327 | Power of Parliament to make election laws | Parliament can make laws for conduct of elections to Union and State legislatures | Parliament |
| 328 | Power of State Legislature to make election laws | State legislatures can make laws for elections to State Legislative Assemblies | State Legislatures |
| 329 | Bar on interference by courts in electoral matters | Courts cannot question delimitation or election conduct, except via election petition as per law | Judiciary (limited role) |
🧠 Quick Comparison Table
| Topic | Article | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| Election Authority | 324 | Election Commission of India |
| Equality in Voter Rolls | 325 | No discrimination; one electoral roll per constituency |
| Voting Rights (Suffrage) | 326 | Based on universal adult suffrage (18+) |
| Parliament’s Power | 327 | Can make election laws for Union and States |
| State’s Power | 328 | Can make election laws for State Assemblies |
| Court Restrictions | 329 | Judicial review only through election petition; no direct suits |
✅ Example Situations & Applicable Articles
| Scenario | Applies Under Article |
|---|---|
| Election Commission bans a political rally for MCC violation | 324 |
| A voter is denied registration due to caste | 325 |
| 18-year-old applies to vote in Uttarakhand | 326 |
| Law made by Parliament to regulate political funding | 327 |
| Law made by Bihar Assembly to conduct Panchayat elections | 328 |
| Supreme Court refuses to entertain PIL against delimitation lines | 329 |
Follow Us