Which institution has been established by the 74^th Constitutional Amendment, 1992, to conduct municipal elections in each State?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-I Official Paper (Held On: 05 Jun, 2025 Shift 3)

Answer 1

The correct answer is State Election Commission.

Key Points

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, mandated the establishment of the State Election Commission in every state to conduct elections to municipalities and panchayati raj institutions.
The State Election Commission is empowered to supervise, direct, and control the entire process of municipal and local body elections.
The amendment added Part IX-A to the Constitution, specifically dealing with municipalities and urban local governance.
Article 243K of the Constitution provides for the State Election Commission and specifies its role in conducting free and fair elections at the local level.
The State Election Commission operates independently of the Election Commission of India, focusing solely on elections for local governance bodies.

Additional Information

74th Constitutional Amendment Act:
- Enacted in 1992, it aimed to strengthen urban local governance in India.
- Introduced three types of municipalities: Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council, and Municipal Corporation.
- It granted municipalities constitutional status, ensuring their establishment and functioning as units of self-governance.
State Election Commission:
- Established under Article 243K of the Constitution.
- The commission is headed by a State Election Commissioner, appointed by the Governor of the state.
- Its independence is ensured by the constitutional protection of its tenure.
Municipal Governance:
- Municipalities manage urban areas and provide essential services like sanitation, water supply, and infrastructure development.
- Elected representatives, including mayors and councilors, oversee the administration of these local bodies.
Article 243K:
- Explicitly provides for the establishment of a State Election Commission for conducting local body elections.
- Empowers the commission to control and supervise municipal elections.