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Under Article 243K, the State Election Commissioner is appointed by the ______, and can be removed only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of a High Court, ensuring independence from State executive.
- Chief Minister
- Governor
- Chief Justice
- President
Answer: Governor
State Election Commissioner appointment: (a) Article 243K (Panchayats), 243ZA (Municipalities): State Election Commissioner appointed by Governor of State, (b) Removal safeguards: SEC can be removed only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of High Court (i.e., Presidential order after Parliament address with special majority on grounds of proved misbehaviour/incapacity), (c) Other independence safeguards: (i) Fixed tenure (as determined by State Legislature, typically 5 years), (ii) Conditions of service cannot be varied to disadvantage after appointment, (iii) Expenses charged on State Consolidated Fund (not subject to annual vote), (d) Functions: (i) Conduct elections to Panchayats, Municipalities, (ii) Prepare electoral rolls, delimit constituencies for local bodies, (iii) Enforce Model Code of Conduct for local elections, (e) Applications: (i) Local elections: SEC ensures free/fair elections to Panchayats, Municipalities, independent of State executive, (ii) Voter confidence: Independence safeguards enhance credibility of local elections, citizen trust in local governance, (f) Illustrates institutional design: Constitutional safeguards enable SEC to function as neutral arbiter of local elections, insulating electoral process from State political interference.