West Bengal State Election Commission
{{Short description|Electoral agency of West Bengal, India}}
{{Infobox government agency
| name = West Bengal State Election Commission
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| formed = 1966
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| jurisdiction = West Bengal
| headquarters = 18, Sarojini Naidu Sarani (Rawdon Street) Kolkata - 700 017
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| chief1_name = Rajiv Sinha
| chief1_position = Commissioner {{cite web |title=Contact - West Bengal State Election Commission |url=http://wbsec.gov.in/home/page/contact |website=wbsec.gov.in |access-date=8 December 2021}}
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| website = {{URL|http://wbsec.gov.in/}}
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West Bengal State Election Commission is an autonomous and statutory body constituted in Indian state of West Bengal for ensuring that elections are conducted in free, fair and unbiased way. Constitution of India with provisions as per Article 324 ensures creation and safeguarding of the powers of Election Commission. West Bengal State Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections for Urban Local Bodies like Municipalities, Municipal Corporations, Panchayats and any other specified by Election Commission of India. West Bengal State Election Commissioner is appointed by Governor of West Bengal.
History and Administration
West Bengal State Election Commission was formed for the State similar to powers of Election Commission of India, which was constituted in year 1950{{cite news |title=WHAT IS ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA (ECI)? |url=https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-election-commission-of-india#collapse |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=Business Standard India}} to supervise state level elections.{{cite news |title=State election panels: Independent of central EC, with similar powers |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/state-election-panels-independent-of-central-ec-with-similar-powers-5132220/ |access-date=6 December 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=12 April 2018 |language=en}} West Bengal State Election commissioner is appointed by Governor.{{cite news |title=India Code: Section Details |url=https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_18_21_00005_199426_1517807320414§ionId=42788§ionno=98&orderno=98 |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=www.indiacode.nic.in}}{{cite news |title=State Election Commissioner Conditions of Service Rules, 1994 |url=http://www.bareactslive.com/HRY/HL534.HTM |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=www.bareactslive.com}} To ensure the autonomy of the position the state election commissioner{{cite news |title=‘Abdicating mandate’: Guv Dhankhar’s sharp message to Bengal election official |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/dont-toe-govt-line-on-civic-polls-guv-cautions-bengal-election-official-101637684214551.html |access-date=8 December 2021 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=23 November 2021 |language=en}} cannot be removed from office except on the grounds and manner specified for judge of High Court.
Powers and Responsibilities
West Bengal State Election Commission is responsible for the following:{{cite news |title=Election Commission directs all state electoral officers to immediately redress all pending voter applications |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/election-commission-directs-state-electoral-officers-immediately-redress-pending-voter-applications-1503026387.html |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=The Statesman |date=23 November 2021}}
- Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State.{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Shiv Sahay |title=Kolkata Municipal Corporation election to be conducted on December 19 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/kolkata-municipal-corporation-election-to-be-conducted-on-december-19/article37678101.ece |publisher=The Hindu |date=25 November 2021 |language=en-IN}}
- Conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State.{{cite news |title=Kolkata Municipal Corporation polls on December 19 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kolkata-municipal-corporation-polls-on-december-19/articleshow/87918269.cms |access-date=8 December 2021 |publisher=The Economic Times |date=26 November 2021}}{{cite news |title=KMC polls on Dec 19 to be litmus test for TMC, BJP on urban base since assembly elections |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kmc-polls-on-dec-19-to-be-litmus-test-for-tmc-bjp-on-urban-base-since-assembly-elections/articleshow/87907936.cms |access-date=8 December 2021 |publisher=The Economic Times |date=25 November 2021}}
- Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.
- Conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.{{cite news |title=State proposed polls to municipal bodies be held in phases by May: West Bengal election body to HC |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/dec/06/state-proposed-polls-to-municipal-bodies-be-held-in-phases-by-may-west-bengal-election-body-to-hc-2392500.html |access-date=8 December 2021 |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=6 December 2021}}
- Laying guidelines for persons eligible to contest in elections for Municipal panchayats in State.{{cite news |title=West Bengal panchayat election: State Election Commission yet to take decision on poll dates |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/west-bengal-panchayat-election-state-election-commission-yet-to-take-decision-on-poll-dates-4446023.html |access-date=8 December 2021 |publisher=Firstpost |date=25 April 2018 |language=en}}
- Laying guidelines for persons eligible to contest in elections for Municipal Corporations in State.
- Model code of conduct are following in elections for local bodies.
- Laying guidelines for voters voting in elections.
- Updating Electoral rolls with new additions.
- Updating Electoral rolls with removals, if any.
Composition
West Bengal State Election Commission consists of Chief Commissioner and as many members and staff specified as are required by the Acts of respective state Governments. State Election Commissioners are independent persons not holding position or office in any Central or State Government organisations.{{cite news |title=State election commissioners should be independent, says SC |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/state-election-commissioners-should-be-independent-says-sc/cid/1809411 |publisher=www.telegraphindia.com |date=13 March 2021}}
Rajiv sinha, is the current Chief Commissioner of West Bengal State Election Commission. He will serve for a period of four years.
Constitutional Requirements
West Bengal State Election Commission was formed after amendment of Constitution with 73rd and 74th declaration{{cite news |title=India State Election - Find information of all State elections in India |url=https://www.elections.in/state-elections.html |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=www.elections.in}} with the objective of supervision and guiding preparation of electoral rolls for local governing body and to conduct elections in municipalities and panchayats . State Election Commissions were formed as per Article 243K of the Constitution, similar to setting up of Election commission of India as per Article 324.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://wbsec.gov.in/ Official Website]
{{Authority control}}