Why in the News?

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K launched the theme song Vote Ka Tyohar in Jammu and Kashmir, to encourage voter participation in the upcoming Assembly Elections.

About Jammu Kashmir Elections

• Government of India on 9^th August 2019 has abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution of India and promulgated the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.
• The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir would now go for assembly elections for the very first time since then.
• The General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir will be held in 3 phases from 20^th August 2024 to 4th October 2024.
• Total Number of seats in Legislative Assembly: 90

Election Commission of India

• It is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India.
• It was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950 (celebrated as National Voters' Day).
• This body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies and council in India, and the office of the President and Vice President in the country.
• It is not concerned with the elections to panchayats and municipalities in the states. For this, the Constitution of India provides for a separate State Election Commission [Part IX, Article:243(K)]
• Constitutional Provisions
  • Part XV (Article 324-329): It deals with elections and establishes a commission for these matters.
• Structure of ECI.
  • Originally the commission was one member body but after the Election Commissioner Amendment Act 1989, it was made a Three Member body.
  • Presently, it consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and Two Election Commissioners
  • At the state level, the election commission is helped by the Chief Electoral Officer.