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Opposition protest against the CEC puts removal safeguards in focus
સમાચારમાં કેમ?
Can a CEC be sacked like any official? The Article 324(5) removal rule GS2 Polity tests
Protest against the CEC revives attention on Article 324(5) safeguards for the Commission's independence.
Why it matters: general awareness
What you need to know
2 મિનિટ
Opposition MPs led by Rahul Gandhi marched from Parliament to the Election Commission and staged a long sit-in against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar; several leaders were detained and later released.
The Commission said no party had asked for a meeting before 4 pm that day.
Under Article 324(5), the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Supreme Court Judge.
સ્રોત: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
મુખ્ય તથ્યો
Remember these
- Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission of India.
- Article 324(5): the CEC can be removed only in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Supreme Court Judge.
- Removal of a Supreme Court Judge needs a special majority in both Houses of Parliament under Article 124(4).
- Other Election Commissioners can be removed only on the CEC's recommendation.
- Tenure and service conditions are set by a law of Parliament, not fixed in Article 324 itself.
પ્રિલિમ્સ · મેઇન્સ
How the exam will ask it
પ્રિલિમ્સ
- The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
- Article 324 does not itself fix the tenure of the Chief Election Commissioner; it is determined by a law made by Parliament.
- The Election Commissioners cannot be removed except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
- The Election Commission of India is a constitutional body under Article 324.
મેઇન્સ
GS2 Polity: the independence of constitutional bodies. The issue is a public confrontation between the Opposition and the Election Commission; Article 324(5) protects the CEC by tying removal to the Supreme Court Judge procedure, while tenure and appointment rest on parliamentary law. The implication is that insulation from the executive depends on both the removal safeguard and a transparent appointment process; the way forward is to strengthen institutional accountability and dialogue without weakening the Commission's autonomy.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
With reference to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, consider the following statements:
- Under Article 324, the CEC can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
- Article 324 itself fixes a tenure of five years for the CEC.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
જવાબ જુઓ
જવાબ: A — Correct: 1 only — Statement 1 is correct under the proviso to Article 324(5), and statement 2 is wrong because the tenure is set by a law of Parliament, not by Article 324. • 2 only — wrong: Statement 2 is wrong: Article 324 does not fix any tenure, so this choice cannot hold. • Both 1 and 2 — wrong: Statement 2 is wrong: Article 324 leaves the tenure to a law made by Parliament, so both cannot be correct. • Neither 1 nor 2 — wrong: Statement 1 is correct: the CEC enjoys the same removal protection as a Supreme Court Judge, so this choice is wrong.
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