Constitutional Framework and Structure
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution. It is empowered to conduct free and fair elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the offices of the President and Vice President. The ECI is headquartered at Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi.
The Commission currently operates as a three-member body consisting of one Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners. This structure has remained stable since 1993, providing continuity in electoral administration.
Current Composition (2025)
Chief Election Commissioner
Gyanesh Kumar serves as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India, having taken charge on February 19, 2025. He is a 1988-batch IAS officer from the Kerala cadre. Kumar is notable for being the first CEC appointed under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
Background of Gyanesh Kumar:
• Born on January 27, 1964, in Agra, Uttar Pradesh
• B.Tech in Civil Engineering from IIT Kanpur
• Previously served as Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation and Parliamentary Affairs
• Played a crucial role in the abrogation of Article 370 and formation of the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust
• His term runs until January 26, 2029
Election Commissioners
1. Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu – 1988-batch IAS officer from Uttarakhand cadre, appointed on March 15, 2024
2. Dr. Vivek Joshi – Former Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner, appointed on February 19, 2025
Major Recent Developments (August 2025)
- Vice Presidential Election 2025
The ECI has announced the schedule for the Vice Presidential Election 2025 following the resignation of Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21, 2025:
• Last date for nominations: August 21, 2025
• Scrutiny of nominations: August 22, 2025
• Last date for withdrawal: August 25, 2025
• Polling date (if necessary): September 9, 2025 - Delisting of Political Parties
On August 9, 2025, the ECI announced the removal of 334 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) from its registry. These parties failed to contest any elections since 2019 and their offices could not be physically located. This action reduced the total number of RUPPs from 2,854 to 2,520. - Rahul Gandhi Controversy The ECI has demanded that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi either sign a formal declaration supporting his ‘vote theft’ allegations or apologize to the country. The controversy stems from Gandhi’s claims about voter list manipulation in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Haryana. Technological Innovations and Reforms (2025) ECINET Platform The ECI has launched the Election Commission Integrated Network (ECINET), a comprehensive digital platform that consolidates over 40 different applications and websites. Key features include: • Real-time voter turnout reporting system replacing manual processes • Integration of multiple electoral services into a single dashboard • Faster data aggregation at constituency levels Enhanced Voter Turnout Reporting The new tech-driven Voter Turnout Rate (VTR) system enables: • Presiding Officers to directly input data every two hours during polling • Immediate final data entry after polls close • Reduction in reporting delays from 4-5 hours to near real-time Three Major Voter-Centric Reforms The ECI announced three significant initiatives in May 2025:
- Electronic Death Registration Integration: Automatic receipt of death data from the Registrar General of India to update electoral rolls
- Improved Voter Information Slips (VIS): Redesigned with larger fonts for serial and part numbers to help voters locate polling stations easily
- Photo Identity Cards for BLOs: Standard identification cards for Booth Level Officers to enhance public trust during verification drives
Recent Electoral Activities
Delhi Assembly Elections 2025
The ECI successfully conducted Delhi Legislative Assembly elections on February 5, 2025. Key highlights:
• 7,500 complaints received through cVIGIL app with 99% redressal rate
• 2,780 FIRs registered during the election process
• ₹220 crore worth of seizures recorded
Comprehensive Reforms Package
The ECI has implemented 23 new initiatives spanning six key areas:
• Reduced maximum voters per polling station to 1,200
• Additional polling booths in high-rise buildings and residential colonies
• 4,719 Pan-India all-party meetings involving over 28,000 representatives
Powers and Functions
The ECI’s constitutional mandate includes:
• Preparing and revising electoral rolls periodically
• Determining electoral constituency boundaries based on Delimitation Commission recommendations
• Granting recognition to political parties and allocating election symbols
• Enforcing Model Code of Conduct during elections
• Supervising election machinery nationwide
• Advising on disqualification of MPs and MLAs
Current Challenges and Controversies
Appointment Process Debate
The 2023 Act has faced criticism for replacing the Chief Justice of India with a Union Minister in the selection committee. The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging this change, with concerns about:
• Executive dominance in the selection process
• Potential compromise of ECI’s independence
• Opposition to collegium system modifications
Technology and Transparency Issues
• EVM security concerns continue despite VVPAT implementation
• Digital campaign monitoring challenges with social media proliferation
• Public skepticism about electronic voting processes
Future Outlook
The ECI is preparing for several upcoming elections:
• Bihar Assembly Elections scheduled for late 2025
• West Bengal, Assam, and Tamil Nadu elections in 2026
• Implementation of Multi-Constituency Remote EVMs for migrant voters
International Recognition
The ECI continues to maintain its reputation as a model electoral body globally, with its SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) program serving as a flagship initiative for voter education. The Commission has successfully conducted elections for over 834 million electors using more than one million Electronic Voting Machines.
The Election Commission of India remains at the forefront of democratic governance, continuously evolving its processes and technology to ensure free, fair, and accessible elections while addressing contemporary challenges in the digital age.
