Home The Constitution Part IX Article 243K

Art. 243K Part IX: The Panchayats

Elections to the Panchayats

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Panchayats shall be vested in a State Election Commission consisting of a State Election Commissioner to be appointed by the Governor. (2) Subject to the provisions of any law made by the Legislature of a State, the conditions of service and tenure of office of the State Election Commissioner shall be such as the Governor may by rule determine: Provided that the State Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of a High Court...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article creates a State Election Commission — deliberately independent, mirroring the national Election Commission of India's design — to conduct Panchayat elections, insulated from direct state government control. The State Election Commissioner enjoys the same strong removal protection as a High Court judge, specifically to keep local body elections free from political interference.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why Panchayat elections are conducted by an independent State Election Commission rather than directly by the state government's own administrative machinery — a deliberate structural safeguard for free and fair local democracy, mirroring the protections the national Election Commission enjoys under Article 324.

Read alongside this one

Art. 324 — Election Commission of India Art. 243e — Duration of Panchayats

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 243K

Is the State Election Commission the same body as the national Election Commission of India?

No — it's a separate, state-specific body, though its independence and removal-protection design deliberately mirrors the national Election Commission created under Article 324.

← PreviousArticle 243J: Audit of Accounts of Panchayats Next →Article 243L: Application to Union Territories

The text above reproduces Article 243K 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.