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Art. 327 Part XV: Elections

Power of Parliament to Make Provision With Respect to Elections to Legislatures

Exact text — Constitution of India

Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may from time to time by law make provision with respect to all matters relating to, or in connection with, elections to either House of Parliament or to the House or either House of the Legislature of a State including the preparation of electoral rolls, the delimitation of constituencies and all other matters necessary for securing the due constitution of such House or Houses.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article gives Parliament comprehensive law-making power over the actual mechanics of elections — electoral rolls, constituency boundaries (delimitation), and everything else needed to properly constitute Parliament or a State Legislature. Parliament used this to pass the Representation of the People Act, 1950 (covering electoral rolls) and the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (covering the actual conduct of elections).
Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

Nearly every detailed election rule you encounter — how candidates file nominations, how campaigning is regulated, how votes are counted, how disputes are resolved — traces back to laws Parliament made under this Article's authority, not to the Constitution's text directly.

How This Is Enforced

Laws and mechanisms that put this Article into practice

Representation of the People Act, 1950

Governs electoral roll preparation and constituency delimitation.

Representation of the People Act, 1951

Governs the actual conduct of elections, candidate qualifications/disqualifications, and election disputes.

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 327

Can State Legislatures also make election laws under this framework?
For their own state's Legislature elections, this specific power belongs to Parliament (not the State Legislature) under Article 327, though Article 328 gives State Legislatures a residual, narrower power where Parliament hasn't legislated.

The text above reproduces Article 327 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.