The Election Commission of India (ECI) plays a crucial role in upholding the democratic framework by conducting free, fair, and transparent elections at the national and state levels. As an autonomous constitutional body, it is responsible for supervising the electoral process, enforcing the Model Code of Conduct, regulating political parties and candidates, monitoring campaign financing, and ensuring a level playing field. The ECI uses technology like EVMs and VVPATs to enhance transparency and speed in voting and counting. However, it faces several challenges in the current democratic setup, including increasing political polarization, misuse of money and muscle power, misinformation on social media, and allegations of bias or delayed action. There are also concerns over electoral reforms, criminalization of politics, and the need for stronger laws to curb hate speech and fake news. Strengthening institutional autonomy, transparency, and accountability is essential for the ECI to maintain public trust and ensure the integrity of India’s electoral process.

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