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Under Article 243K and 243ZA, the State Election Commissioner can be removed only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of a High Court, ensuring independence similar to CEC at Union level.
- True
- False
Answer: True
State Election Commission independence: (a) Constitutional basis: Article 243K (Panchayats), 243ZA (Municipalities) - State Election Commission (SEC) conducts elections to local bodies, (b) Removal procedure: SEC can be removed only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of High Court (i.e., Presidential order after Parliament address with special majority on grounds of proved misbehaviour/incapacity), (c) Other safeguards: (i) Fixed tenure (as determined by State Legislature, typically 5 years), (ii) Conditions of service cannot be varied to disadvantage after appointment, (iii) Expenses charged on State Consolidated Fund (not subject to annual vote), (d) Functions: (i) Conduct elections to Panchayats, Municipalities, (ii) Prepare electoral rolls, delimit constituencies for local bodies, (iii) Enforce Model Code of Conduct for local elections, (e) Applications: (i) Local elections: SEC ensures free/fair elections to Panchayats, Municipalities, independent of State executive, (ii) Voter confidence: Independence safeguards enhance credibility of local elections, citizen trust in local governance, (f) Illustrates institutional design: Constitutional safeguards enable SEC to function as neutral arbiter of local elections, insulating electoral process from State political interference.