Role and Function of Election Department

The Election Department is more or less a combination of Administrative Head and Head of Department and thus discharge of dual function as aforesaid. The Commissioner and Secretary is the Administrative Head of the Department as well as the Head of the Department in his capacity as the Chief Electoral Officer. The Chief Electoral Officer is a statutory functionary designed as such by the Election Commission in consultation with the State Government under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 for the purpose of preparation, revision and correction of Electoral Rolls and other matter connected therewith and under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for the purpose of smooth and efficient conduct of the Elections in the State. The Chief Electoral Officer is subject to the superintendence, direction and control of the Election Commission vide Sc. 13 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and Sec. 20 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, respectively.

The Election Department administer the two Acts of Parliament viz.,

1. The Representation of the People Act, 1950 and

2. The Representation of the People Act, 1951

The Act 1950 deals with :

1. The allocation of seats in and the delimitation of Constituencies for the purpose of Election to the Lok Sabha and the Legislatures of States.

2. The qualification of voters at such Elections, and

3. Registration of voters and electors and the preparation of Electoral roll  and

4. Other connected matters.

The Act 1951 deals with :

1. The conduct of Election.

2. Qualification and disqualification of Candidates.

3. Corrupt practices and other electoral offences.

4. and the decision of doubts and disputes arising out of such Elections.

Supplementing these two Acts are the :

1. Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 and

2. The conduct of Election Rules, 1961.

THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS RULES, 1960

For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, revision of electoral Roll and computerisation of the same had been taken up at regular interval simultaneously the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) programme was implemented and integrated with the revised and computerised Electoral Roll. Essential Computer infrastructure at the District Level for better electoral management are available. Approval for appointment of District Election Officers and Electoral Registrations had been obtained by the Election Department from the Election Commission whenever required. Further, sanction for creation of Posts of Enumerators and other Staff required for the purpose of revision of Electoral Roll from time to time had been taken care of by the Department.

THE CONDUCT OF ELECTION RULES, 1961

Under the conduct of Election Rules, 1961, various matters and materials required in connection with the actual conduct of the Poll, the counting of Votes, the declaration of Results, the safe custody of Election Papers and EVMs, filling of election expenses by Candidates etc have been exhaustively laid down and adherence and observance of the provisions of the Rules have been by and large ensured by the election machinery of the State headed by / under the supervision of the Chief Electoral Officer.

ACCOUNTS

In so far as account matters are concerned the Department not only prepare the Budget estimates but also submit the estimates to the Govt. of India for re - imbursement of expenditure in connection with the conduct of Election. The other normal and routine functions are to watch and control the expenditure of the District and Sub - Divisional Election Officers, ensure proper maintenance of accounts, verification of the monthly expenditure submitted by the District and Sub - Division with the Office of the A G and other miscellaneous account works and matters.

ART 327 CONFERS SPECIFIC POWER ON PARLIAMENT TO MAKE LAW WITH RESPECT TO THE DELIMITATION OF CONSTITUENCIES

Pursuant to these provisions, Parliament had enacted the Delimitation Act, 2002, ( copy enclosed ). Under this Act, a commission known as the Delimitation Commission is constituted.

The role of the Election Department in so far as it relates with the Delimitation Commission is limited to preparation and compilation of statistical data and maps etc as obtained form the District and making available of the same to the Delimitation Commission.