Consider the following statements:
1. The Election Commission of India is a ‘ five-member body.
2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.
3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Originally in 1950, the commission had only a Chief Election Commissioner. The Election Commissioner Amendment Act, 1989 made the Commission a multi-member body. The concept of a 3-member Commission has been in operation since then. Home Ministry is consulted for that, schedule is not decided by them. Splits, mergers and alliances have frequently disrupted the compositions of political parties. This has led to a number of disputes over which section of a divided party gets to keep the party symbol, and how to classify the resulting parties in terms of national and state parties. The Election Commission has to resolve these disputes, although its decisions can be challenged in the courts. www.civilsdaily.com/story/electoral-reforms-in-india/ www.civilsdaily.com/how-will-ec-decide-on-the-party-symbol-row/