Consider the following statements regarding Election Commission of India. 1. The Election Commission of India is a five member body. 2. The Election Commission decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. 3. The Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties. 4. The Election Commission of India provides election symbols for newly registered parties. Which of the statements given above is/are not correct ?

Election Commission of India

• The Election Commission is a permanent and independent body established by the Constitution of India directly to ensure free and fair elections in the country.
• Since its inception in 1950 and till 15 October 1989, the election commission functioned as a single member body consisting of the Chief Election Commissioner. On 16 October 1989, the president appointed two more election commissioners to cope with the increased work of the election commission on account of lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

Powers and functions

• The powers and functions of the Election Commission with regard to elections to the Parliament, state legislatures and offices of President and Vice-President.
• The Election Commission decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• The Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognized political parties. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• The Election Commission of India provides election symbols for newly registered parties. Hence, statement 4 is correct.