RAS question
The State Election Commissioner of Rajasthan is appointed by whom?
Correct answer: (B) Governor.
The State Election Commissioner of Rajasthan is appointed by the Governor.
Explanation
Article 243K places the superintendence, direction and control of preparing electoral rolls and conducting Panchayat elections in a State Election Commission, consisting of a State Election Commissioner appointed by the Governor. This is why the appointing authority is the Governor, not a court, the Union executive, or the Chief Minister. The same provision also protects the office after appointment: the State Election Commissioner cannot be removed except in the same manner and on the same grounds as a High Court Judge, and the conditions of service cannot be varied to his disadvantage after appointment. Those safeguards are central to the independence of the State Election Commission.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) The Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court is relevant to the comparison for removal safeguards, but Article 243K does not give the Chief Justice the appointment power.
- (C) The President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India, whereas Article 243K assigns appointment of the State Election Commissioner to the Governor.
- (D) The Chief Minister may be associated with recommendation in the political process, but the formal constitutional appointment under Article 243K is by the Governor.
Concept
This tests the constitutional design of State Election Commissions under Article 243K. It recurs in RAS because local self-government questions often turn on the exact appointing authority and independence safeguards.