WHAT IS ARTICLE 324? WHY IT WAS IN NEWS

As the election time arrives, there becomes starting of the discussion of different articles and as per our constitution, there are many guidelines that everyone has to follow during the election time. Is the responsibility of Election Commissioner to implement all the rules in the states. One of the most important Article is Article 324.

Article 324 envisages the provision of the ECI. Article 324 empowers the ECI or Election Commission of India to set up rules and guidelines for conducting elections of Parliament, President, Vice President and State Legislature Assemblies in the country. The Election Commission of India releases code of conduct to conduct free and fair elections in the country. So it is very important for everyone to know about Article 324  Let us know in this article that what kinds of powers have been given to the Election Commission of India in Article 324

During the month of April and May 2019, elections held to form the 17th LokSabha in India. Election Commission has announced the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) to conduct free and fair elections without violence.

But it is observed that the MCC is broken by the leaders of many political parties. There is so much violence in the political campaigning in the West Bengal and it is the reason why the Election Commission has banned the elections campaigning a day before the schedule in the state using the power given under the article 324 of the constitution.

What is Article 324?

Article 324 provides power to ECI for the superintendence, complete direction and full control of the preparation of the electoral rolls.

It also empowers also the Election Commission to set up issue rules and guidelines for conducting elections for Parliament, President, Vice President and State Legislature Assemblies in the country.

Due to violence took place during in Bengal, the Election Commission has banned all election campaigns using

Article 324. Also, the Commission said that “No person shall convene, hold, attend, join or address any public meeting or procession in connection with the election.”

It is to be noted that in this way, Article 324 has been used to ban the election campaigns for the first time in the country.

Election Commission used the power of Article 324 in Bengal so that political violence could not escalate in the state. The Election Commission does not want to leave any stone unturned to conduct free and fair elections in the state.

Powers to the Election Commission of India

1. The Election Commission (EC) can remove any officer from his post to hold an impartial election. The Commission has removed an Additional Director (Home) and Principal Director of CID in West Bengal.
2. Election Commission gives the status of national or state parties to the registered political parties on the basis of their performance in the elections.
3. Election Commission ensures that the Model Code of Conduct is followed by all the political parties and all the candidates.
4. Election Commission allows the time to national parties to convey their policies and programs through TV and radio.
5. ECI prepares the electoral rolls and revises them from time to time. It registers all the eligible voters also.EC prepares and notifies the schedule of the election.
6. Election Commission determines the territorial area of the electoral constituencies.
7. Election Commission receives and scrutinizes the nomination papers from all the candidates in the elections.
8. Election Commission registers the political parties and allows poll symbols to them.

It is expected that in the coming years, the Election Commission will continue to implement the Model Code of Conduct for free and fair elections.it is clear that the Indian Constitution has established an independent body like the Election Commission under Article 324 to strengthen the democratic structure in the country.