Question

The Chief Election Commissioner is removed by following the same procedure as the removal of which of the following?
1. Judges of the Supreme Court
2. Chief Justice of the High Court
3. Chairman of Rajya Sabha
4. Lok Sabha Speaker

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Judges of the Supreme Court

The correct answer is Judges of the Supreme Court.

• The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India.
• The commission consists of one Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners. 
• The President may from time to time fix and the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf by Parliament. 
• When any other Election Commissioner is so appointed the Chief Election Commissioner shall act as the Chairman of the Election Commission.
• They have a fixed tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office by the Parliament only through a process of removal similar to that of a Supreme Court judge.

• The Judge of the Supreme Court can be removed by a special majority of 2/3rd members present and voting supported by more than 50% of the total strength of the house. 
• Grounds of Removal: Proven misbehaviour and incapacity.

• Before each general election to the House of the People and the Legislative Assembly of each State, and before the first general election and thereafter before each biennial election to the Legislative Council of each State having such Council, the President may also appoint after consultation with the Election Commission such Regional Commissioners as he may consider necessary to assist the Election Commission in the performance of the functions conferred on the Commission.