Election Commission Practice Questions
20 free Election Commission practice questions for the Static GK. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides for the establishment of the Election Commission?
- A Article 320
- B Article 324
- C Article 326
- D Article 330
Correct answer: Article 324
Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the Election Commission. This article ensures the independence of the commission to conduct free and fair elections.
The Election Commission of India conducts elections for which of the following bodies?
- A Panchayats, Municipalities, District Boards, and Cooperative Societies
- B Rajya Sabha, State Assemblies, Municipal Corporations, and Zilla Parishads
- C Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President
- D Lok Sabha, Legislative Councils, Panchayati Raj Institutions, and Cooperative Boards
Correct answer: Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President
The Election Commission is responsible for elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the high offices of the President and Vice-President. Elections to local bodies are handled by State Election Commissions.
Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners?
- A The Prime Minister of India
- B Chief Justice of India
- C The President of India
- D The Selection Committee headed by the Speaker
Correct answer: The President of India
Under the provisions of the Constitution, the President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. Their service conditions and tenure are also determined by the President subject to laws made by Parliament.
What is the current tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners?
- A 5 years or 62 years of age
- B 6 years or 65 years of age
- C 5 years or 65 years of age
- D 6 years or 62 years of age
Correct answer: 6 years or 65 years of age
Members of the Election Commission hold office for a term of six years or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. They can resign at any time by addressing their resignation to the President.
The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as:
- A The Prime Minister of India
- B The Speaker of Lok Sabha
- C The Attorney General of India
- D A Judge of the Supreme Court
Correct answer: A Judge of the Supreme Court
To ensure independence, the Chief Election Commissioner is provided with security of tenure. He can only be removed by the President on the basis of a resolution passed by both Houses of Parliament with a special majority on the grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
What happens if there is a difference of opinion between the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners?
- A The opinion of the Chief Election Commissioner prevails.
- B The matter is referred to the President of India.
- C The matter is referred to the Supreme Court.
- D The matter is decided by the Commission by majority.
Correct answer: The matter is decided by the Commission by majority.
The Chief Election Commissioner and the two other election commissioners have equal powers. In case of a difference of opinion, the matter is decided by the commission by a majority vote.
Which constitutional amendment lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years?
- A 42nd Amendment Act
- B 44th Amendment Act
- C 73rd Amendment Act
- D 61st Amendment Act
Correct answer: 61st Amendment Act
The 61st Constitutional Amendment Act of 1988 reduced the voting age for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from 21 to 18 years. This change took effect in 1989.
In which year did the Election Commission become a multi-member body for the first time?
- A 1989
- B 1950
- C 1993
- D 2001
Correct answer: 1989
From 1950 to 1989, the commission functioned as a single-member body. In October 1989, the President appointed two more commissioners to cope with the increased work following the lowering of the voting age.
Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?
- A Sukumar Sen
- B K.V.K. Sundaram
- C T.N. Seshan
- D V.S. Ramadevi
Correct answer: Sukumar Sen
Sukumar Sen served as the first Chief Election Commissioner of India from March 1950 to December 1958. He oversaw the first two general elections of independent India.
Which of the following is an 'advisory' function of the Election Commission?
- A Recommending disqualification of an MP to the President
- B Allotting reserved election symbols to political parties
- C Preparing and periodically revising the electoral rolls
- D Fixing the official schedule for general elections
Correct answer: Recommending disqualification of an MP to the President
The Commission advises the President on matters relating to the disqualification of members of Parliament and the Governor on disqualification of members of State Legislatures. These opinions are generally binding on the President or Governor.
Who decides the disputes relating to the allotment of election symbols to political parties?
- A The Supreme Court
- B The Ministry of Law and Justice
- C The Speaker of Lok Sabha
- D The Election Commission
Correct answer: The Election Commission
The Election Commission has the power to recognize political parties and allot election symbols to them. It also acts as a court for settling disputes related to recognition and symbol allotment among splinter groups of a party.
The Model Code of Conduct comes into force from the date of:
- A Announcement of the election schedule by the Commission
- B Filing of nominations by the contesting candidates
- C An official notification issued by the President of India
- D Start of the polling and vote-counting process
Correct answer: Announcement of the election schedule by the Commission
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and candidates. It becomes operational immediately upon the announcement of the election schedule.
Which of the following officers is appointed by the Election Commission in consultation with the State Government?
- A Chief Electoral Officer
- B District Collector
- C Returning Officer
- D Electoral Registration Officer
Correct answer: Chief Electoral Officer
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of a state/UT is appointed by the Election Commission in consultation with the state government. The CEO supervises the election work in the state at the headquarter level.
The 'Electoral Trust Scheme' is regulated by which body?
- A Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- B Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
- C Election Commission of India
- D Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
Correct answer: Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
While the Election Commission monitors poll spending, the Electoral Trust Scheme is a tax-related mechanism regulated by the CBDT. Trusts must, however, submit annual reports of contributions to the Election Commission.
Can an Election Commissioner (other than the CEC) be removed from office?
- A By the President on the recommendation of the CEC
- B Only through impeachment proceedings in Parliament
- C At the pleasure of the Prime Minister of India
- D By an official order of the Supreme Court of India
Correct answer: By the President on the recommendation of the CEC
Other Election Commissioners or Regional Commissioners cannot be removed from office except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. This protects them from arbitrary removal by the executive.
Which Article provides for the right to vote based on 'Adult Suffrage'?
- A Article 326
- B Article 324
- C Article 325
- D Article 327
Correct answer: Article 326
Article 326 states that elections to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of States shall be on the basis of adult suffrage. Every citizen not otherwise disqualified is entitled to be registered as a voter.
The expenses of the Election Commission are:
- A Charged on the Consolidated Fund of India
- B Voted by the Parliament of India
- C Paid by the State Governments
- D Paid from the Contingency Fund
Correct answer: Voted by the Parliament of India
Unlike the Supreme Court or CAG, the expenses of the Election Commission are not 'charged' on the Consolidated Fund of India; they are 'voted' by Parliament. This is often cited as a minor gap in its financial independence.
Who was the only woman to serve as the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
- A Kiran Bedi
- B V.S. Ramadevi
- C Meira Kumar
- D Sushma Swaraj
Correct answer: V.S. Ramadevi
V.S. Ramadevi was the first and, to date, the only woman to serve as the Chief Election Commissioner of India. She held the office for a short duration in late 1990.
The Regional Commissioners are appointed by the President to assist the Election Commission after consultation with:
- A The Governor of the State
- B The Election Commission
- C The Prime Minister
- D The Chief Justice of India
Correct answer: The Election Commission
Article 324(4) allows the President to appoint Regional Commissioners to assist the Election Commission in its functions. Such appointments must be made after consultation with the Election Commission.
National Voters' Day is celebrated every year on:
- A January 15
- B January 25
- C August 15
- D November 26
Correct answer: January 25
National Voters' Day has been celebrated on January 25 every year since 2011. This date marks the foundation day of the Election Commission of India, which was established in 1950.