The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a permanent constitutional body that supervises, directs and controls elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state legislative assemblies and councils, and the offices of President and Vice-President. It began as a one-member body and today has a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. It does not run panchayat and municipal elections; separate State Election Commissions do that.
Key facts
- It was set up in 1950 and the anniversary of its founding is celebrated as National Voters' Day (first held in 2011).
- The Chief Election Commissioner serves up to six years but must retire at 65; Election Commissioners can be removed only on the CEC's recommendation.
- A 2023 Act gives the appointment to the President on the advice of a panel of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union minister.
- Local body elections are run by State Election Commissions, not the ECI.
- Current CEC: Gyanesh Kumar, with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Why exams ask about it
Setters ask its Article, its foundation date, its first chief, when it became three-member and who appoints the commissioners.