The Election Commission of India (ECI) has rescheduled the bypolls from November 13 to November 20, following requests from political parties.

• Reason for Rescheduling : Political parties, including BJP, Congress (INC), BSP, and RLD, cited cultural and religious festivals, which could impact voter turnout.

About Bypolls in India

• Definition and Purpose: Bypolls, or bye-elections, are elections held to fill vacant seats in legislative bodies like the Parliament or State Legislatures.
  • These vacancies can arise due to the death, resignation, disqualification, or expulsion of a sitting member.
• Legal Mandate: Under Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is required to fill these casual vacancies within six months from the date of occurrence, provided the remaining term of the seat is at least one year.
  • If less than one year remains, bye-elections are not mandatory.
• Significance: Bye-election results can influence the majority status of the ruling government.
  • If the ruling party loses several bypoll seats, it could jeopardize its legislative majority, potentially impacting governance and policy decisions.

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About Election Commission of India (ECI)

• The ECI is a permanent, independent constitutional body established under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution. 
• It oversees elections for the Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice President of India. 
• ECI does not handle elections for urban local bodies or panchayats, which are managed by State Election Commissions.
• Composition: Initially a single-member body led by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the ECI was expanded to a three-member body in 1989 to manage the increased responsibilities following the reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18.
  •  Now ECI is a three member body with two additional Election Commissioners along with the CEC.

Functions and Jurisdiction of Election Commission of India (ECI)

• Advisory Role: Advises the President and Governors on matters related to member disqualification, particularly in cases of corrupt practices.
• Quasi-Judicial Role: Has the authority to disqualify candidates for failing to submit expense accounts.
  • Resolves disputes regarding party recognition and election symbol allocation.
• Administrative Role: Manages the delimitation of constituencies, voter registration, and electoral roll updates.
  • Schedules election dates and enforces the Model Code of Conduct, ensuring fair campaigning and adherence to financial guidelines during elections.

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