Which of the following conducts the election of state legislatures?

The correct answer is Election Commission of India.

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 was established on 25th January 1950 to conduct free and fair elections in India.
• The ECI is vested with the power to conduct elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies, as well as the offices of the President and Vice President in India.
• The Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners lead the ECI, and their appointment is made by the President of India.

Additional Information

• State Election Commissions
  • State Election Commissions are responsible for conducting elections to local bodies like Municipalities and Panchayats within their respective states.
  • These bodies are established under Article 243K and 243ZA of the Indian Constitution.
  • State Election Commissioners are appointed by the Governor of the state.
• Autonomy and Independence of ECI
  • The ECI operates independently of any government control to ensure impartiality and fairness.
  • The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through a process similar to the removal of a Supreme Court judge.
• Conduct of Elections
  • The ECI prepares and updates the electoral rolls, supervises the nomination process, and monitors the election campaign to ensure compliance with the model code of conduct.
  • It also oversees the counting of votes and declaration of results.
• Technological Initiatives
  • ECI has implemented Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems to enhance transparency and credibility.
  • It has also launched the National Voters' Service Portal (NVSP) for online voter registration and other services.