RAS question
Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the State Election Commission established for superintendence of Panchayati Raj elections?
Correct answer: (B) Article 243K.
Article 243K of the Indian Constitution vests the superintendence, direction and control of Panchayat elections in the State Election Commission.
Explanation
Article 243K is the provision to remember for Panchayati Raj elections. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment introduced this framework, and the ECI's Electoral Statistics Pocket Book places State Election Commissions within the 73rd and 74th Amendment framework for local bodies. The State Election Commission, headed by a State Election Commissioner appointed by the Governor, conducts these elections under Article 243K. The key phrase is that the superintendence, direction and control of preparing electoral rolls for, and conducting, all Panchayat elections vests in the State Election Commission. That is why Article 243K, not Article 324, is the correct answer for Panchayati Raj elections.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Article 324 relates to the Election Commission of India for Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections, while Panchayat election superintendence is placed under the State Election Commission by Article 243K.
- (C) Article 280 is not the provision that vests Panchayat election rolls and conduct in a State Election Commission.
- (D) Article 338 is not the article for Panchayat election superintendence; the Election Commission of India, Electoral Statistics Pocket Book 2023 links that function to Article 243K and State Election Commissions.
Concept
This tests constitutional provisions on local self-government and election administration. RAS repeatedly asks such article-based distinctions because Panchayati Raj is central to Rajasthan's governance syllabus.