State Election Commission Practice Questions
19 free State Election Commission practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which Articles of the Indian Constitution provide for the establishment of the State Election Commission?
- A Articles 243K and 243ZA
- B Articles 324 and 325
- C Articles 280 and 281 of the Constitution
- D Articles 315 and 316
Correct answer: Articles 243K and 243ZA
Article 243K deals with elections to the Panchayats, and Article 243ZA deals with elections to the Municipalities. Both articles mandate the creation of a State Election Commission for these purposes.
Who appoints the State Election Commissioner?
- A The President of India
- B The Chief Justice of the High Court
- C The Governor of the State
- D The Chief Minister of the State
Correct answer: The Governor of the State
According to the Constitution, the State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor of the concerned state. However, their conditions of service and tenure are determined as per state laws.
Which of the following elections is conducted by the State Election Commission?
- A Elections to the State Legislative Assembly
- B Elections to the Lok Sabha
- C Elections to the Rajya Sabha
- D Elections to the Gram Panchayat
Correct answer: Elections to the Gram Panchayat
The State Election Commission is exclusively responsible for the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats and Municipalities. Elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures are conducted by the Election Commission of India.
The State Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a:
- A Governor of a State
- B Member of the State Public Service Commission
- C District Magistrate
- D Judge of a High Court
Correct answer: Judge of a High Court
To ensure independence, the Constitution provides that the State Election Commissioner shall not be removed from office except in a manner similar to a High Court Judge. This requires a resolution passed by both houses of Parliament on grounds of proved misbehavior or incapacity.
The power of 'superintendence, direction, and control' of the preparation of electoral rolls for local body elections is vested in:
- A The State Election Commission
- B The Election Commission of India
- C The State District Collector
- D The Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Correct answer: The State Election Commission
Articles 243K and 243ZA vest the power of superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to local bodies in the State Election Commission.
Can the conditions of service of the State Election Commissioner be varied to their disadvantage after appointment?
- A No, the Constitution prohibits it
- B Yes, by the State Legislature
- C Yes, during a financial emergency
- D Only with the permission of the President
Correct answer: No, the Constitution prohibits it
The Constitution specifies that the conditions of service of the State Election Commissioner shall not be varied to their disadvantage after their appointment. This provision is meant to safeguard the independence and impartiality of the office.
Which Constitutional Amendment Acts led to the mandatory creation of State Election Commissions?
- A 73rd and 74th Amendments
- B 42nd and 44th Amendments
- C 61st and 62nd Amendments
- D 86th and 91st Amendments
Correct answer: 73rd and 74th Amendments
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts of 1992 added Parts IX and IXA to the Constitution, making it mandatory for every state to constitute a State Election Commission for local body polls.
The State Election Commission is a/an:
- A Extra-constitutional body
- B Statutory body
- C Constitutional body
- D Executive body
Correct answer: Constitutional body
Since the State Election Commission is established under the specific provisions of the Constitution (Articles 243K and 243ZA), it is a permanent constitutional body.
Who provides the staff to the State Election Commission when requested?
- A The Election Commission of India
- B The Central Government
- C The Union Public Service Commission
- D The Governor of the State
Correct answer: The Governor of the State
The Governor of a State, when so requested by the State Election Commission, shall make available to the Commission such staff as may be necessary for the discharge of its functions. This ensures the commission has the manpower required to conduct large-scale local elections.
Which body is responsible for the delimitation of constituencies for Panchayat elections?
- A State Election Commission
- B Delimitation Commission of India
- C Planning Commission
- D The High Court
Correct answer: State Election Commission
While the Delimitation Commission of India handles Parliamentary and Assembly seats, the delimitation and reservation of seats for local bodies are typically handled by the State Election Commission or a state-appointed authority as per state legislation.
Regarding local body elections, the courts are barred from interfering in which of the following matters?
- A Validity of laws on delimitation of constituencies
- B The disqualification of a candidate after the election
- C The criminal cases pending against a candidate
- D The counting of votes in a specific booth
Correct answer: Validity of laws on delimitation of constituencies
Article 243-O and 243ZG bar the interference of courts in electoral matters such as the delimitation of constituencies or the allotment of seats. Such matters can only be questioned through an election petition presented to the prescribed authority.
The State Election Commission's relationship with the Election Commission of India can best be described as:
- A Independent and separate in its own jurisdiction
- B A subordinate branch of the Election Commission of India
- C Advisory to the Election Commission of India
- D Controlled by the Chief Election Commissioner
Correct answer: Independent and separate in its own jurisdiction
The State Election Commission is an independent constitutional body. It is not subordinate to the Election Commission of India; both have separate jurisdictions defined by the Constitution.
In the Kisan Singh Tomar case, the Supreme Court ruled that the State Government must:
- A Seek prior consultation with the Election Commission of India for local polls
- B Obey the State Election Commission's poll schedule directions
- C Appoint the State Election Commissioner for a fixed two-year term only
- D Conduct local body polls only once every ten years
Correct answer: Obey the State Election Commission's poll schedule directions
The Supreme Court held that State Governments are bound by the directions of the State Election Commission (SEC). The SEC has the same powers for local elections that the ECI has for Parliament/Assembly elections.
Who determines the 'tenure' of the State Election Commissioner?
- A As specified explicitly in the Constitution of India
- B The Governor, subject to the provisions of state law
- C The President of India, after consulting the Governor
- D The Chief Justice of India, per judicial precedent
Correct answer: The Governor, subject to the provisions of state law
The Constitution leaves the determination of the tenure and conditions of service of the State Election Commissioner to the Governor, subject to the laws made by the State Legislature.
Is the State Election Commission responsible for the conduct of elections to the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad)?
- A Yes, as it is a state legislative body
- B No, the Election Commission of India conducts it
- C Yes, if specifically requested by the Governor
- D Only for the local body constituency of the council
Correct answer: No, the Election Commission of India conducts it
Elections to the State Legislative Councils are conducted by the Election Commission of India. The SEC is strictly limited to the 'Third Tier' of government—Panchayats and Municipalities.
A State Election Commissioner is usually an officer of the rank of:
- A Cabinet Secretary
- B Additional Secretary to Government of India or equivalent
- C District Judge
- D Chief Secretary or IAS officer of equivalent seniority
Correct answer: Chief Secretary or IAS officer of equivalent seniority
While it varies by state, the SEC is typically a retired or senior IAS officer of the rank of Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary to ensure they have the administrative experience to manage state-wide polls.
Which of the following can a State Election Commission issue during local elections?
- A Warrants of arrest
- B The Model Code of Conduct
- C Amendments to the Constitution
- D Judicial decrees
Correct answer: The Model Code of Conduct
Just like the ECI, the State Election Commission issues a Model Code of Conduct for local body elections to ensure a free and fair electoral process.
The State Election Commission can be involved in the preparation of common electoral rolls for Parliament and local bodies if:
- A The Prime Minister personally orders it to happen
- B The state adopts the ECI's rolls for local body polls
- C The State Election Commission is formally abolished
- D The Supreme Court directly manages the electoral roll
Correct answer: The state adopts the ECI's rolls for local body polls
While the rolls are separate, many states choose to use the Election Commission of India's electoral rolls as a base for local body rolls to save resources and ensure consistency, though the SEC remains the controlling authority for local rolls.
The 74th Amendment Act pertains to which local body governed by the State Election Commission?
- A Gram Sabha
- B Zila Parishad
- C Municipalities
- D Panchayat Samiti
Correct answer: Municipalities
The 74th Amendment Act of 1992 specifically deals with Urban Local Bodies, i.e., Municipalities. The 73rd Amendment deals with Rural Local Bodies (Panchayats).