Which constitutional body ensures free and fair elections to the Parliament?

The correct answer is Election Commission.

Key Points

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India at both the national and state levels.
• It ensures free and fair elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice President in India.
• The Election Commission was established on 25 January 1950 under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution.
• The ECI is responsible for the preparation and updating of electoral rolls, monitoring election expenditure, and enforcing the Model Code of Conduct during elections.
• The Commission is headed by the Chief Election Commissioner and may include up to two Election Commissioners.

Additional Information

• Model Code of Conduct: The ECI enforces a set of guidelines for the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections to ensure a level playing field.
• Voter Education and Awareness: The Commission undertakes extensive voter education and awareness campaigns to enhance voter participation and informed voting.
• Electoral Reforms: The ECI continuously recommends and implements electoral reforms to improve the efficiency and transparency of the election process.
• Use of Technology: The Commission has adopted various technological advancements like Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) to enhance the credibility of the election process.
• Disqualification of Candidates: The ECI has the authority to disqualify candidates and debar them from contesting elections for certain periods if found guilty of electoral malpractices.