Role of Election Commission in India

One of the most important features of the democratic polity is elections at regular intervals. Elections constitute the signpost of the democracy; these are medium through which the attitudes, values and beliefs of the people towards their political environment reflected. Elections are the central democratic procedure for selecting and controlling leaders. Elections grant people a government and the government has constitutional right to govern those who elect it. Elections symbolize the sovereignty of the people and provide legitimacy to the authority of the government. Thus, free & fair elections are indispensable for the success of the democracy. In order to ensure free & fair elections the Constitution establishes the Election Commission. In January 25, 1950, the Election Commission has established in India. The secretariat of the Commission has 300 officials, and is located in New Delhi. This is a body autonomous in character and insulated from political pressures and executive influence.