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Why political science matters?

The meaning of political science is often restricted to the state, government, and everyday politics. However, it goes beyond that. We as humans share various relationships. What do we do when conflicts arise in these relationships? How do we resolve them? The Socratic dialectical method or Habermas’ idea of deliberation provides a solution. It says conflicts are better resolved through dialogue rather than domination. Hence, it tells us how to talk in a dialectical manner. It is the process of reasoning together. For instance, when your father asks you to aim for a government job, but you want to become a content creator, you do not totally oppose each other. Instead, you engage rationally: Why is a government job important? Maybe because it provides security and financial stability. But being a content creator might give you creative freedom. So you decide to take a government job but also start your creator journey simultaneously — maybe by vlogging your day as a government employee...
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Is Election Commission of India impartial?

election, elections, chief election commissioner, election commission of india, impartiality of election commission, voter id

As per Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, "superintendence, direction, and control of elections to be vested in an Election Commission." The election commission is an independent, permanent and constitutional body deriving its powers directly from the Constitution. It is a multi-member body consisting of 3 members including a chief election commissioner and two election commissioners. They are appointed by the President.


The Election Commission of India is concerned only with the elections to parliament, state legislature, the office of President of India, and the office of Vice president on India. Elections to local bodies don't come under its jurisdiction. Other than conducting elections Election Commission has many other powers and functions which can be classified under three headings.


  1. Administrative

Grant recognition to political parties, allot symbols to them, periodic revision of electoral rolls, notification of dates elections, determining code of conduct for political parties, etc.


  1. Advisory

Advising President on matters relating to disqualification of MPs and governor relating to MLAs etc.


  1. Quasi-judicial

Settling disputes relating to allotment of symbols and recognition of political party etc.


        Chart of Assistance


Central level -Election Commission assisted by Deputy Election Commissioners


State-level- Chief Electoral Officer


District level- District Returning Officer


Constituency- Returning Officer



Now comes the major question how can we say that Election Commission is an independent body or how its independence is maintained?  Article 324 of the Indian Constitution contains provisions for the independence of the Election Commission. The provisions being the security of tenure of Chief Election Commissioner, removal grounds are same as the judge of the supreme court, service condition can not be varied to his disadvantage and the other election commissioners can be removed only on the recommendation of the chief election commissioner. The independence of any institution in a political system can not be seen in absolute terms it is always assessed relatively. 


Though various measures are ensuring the independence of the election commission still there are some flaws in the structure. 

Some of the flaws are:


1● There is no prescribed qualification for being a member of the Election Commission.


2● Retiring election commissioners are not debarred from taking any further appointments by the government.


3● Terms of the members of the EC are not specified by the Constitution.


Every institution contains some good and some bad values. It is only by comparing the positives and negatives we can come to any conclusion. Election Commission has also some flaws which must be resolved. Overall Election Commission is a body that is working properly and we can understand its stature by the fact that every political party had always accepted the decision of the Election Commission. With some more power and autonomy, its working would become efficient thereby resulting in the accomplishment of goals more effectively. 

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