{{Short description|Electoral agency of Karnataka, India}} {{Infobox government agency | name = Karnataka State Election Commission | nativename ='''ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಚುನಾವಣಾ ಆಯೋಗ''' | nativename_a = | nativename_r = | type =State Election Commission Body | logo = | logo_width = | logo_caption = | seal = File:Seal of Karnataka.svg | seal_width =200px | seal_caption =Seal of Karnataka | formed = {{start date and years ago|1993|05|26|df=y|p=y}}<ref name=":0"/> | preceding1 =Mysuru State Election Commission | preceding2 = | dissolved = | superseding = | jurisdiction = Karnataka | headquarters =Bengaluru | employees = | budget = | minister1_name = | minister1_pfo = | minister2_name = | minister2_pfo = | chief1_name = G.S.Sangreshi,.<ref name="ksec ref8">{{cite web |title=Karnataka State Election Commission |url=https://karsec.gov.in/SECWEB/AboutUs.aspx |website=karsec.gov.in |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref> | chief1_position =Chief Election Commissioner | chief2_name = | chief2_position = | chief3_name = | chief3_position = | chief4_name = | chief4_position = | chief5_name = | chief5_position = | chief6_name = | chief6_position = | chief7_name = | chief7_position = | chief8_name = | chief8_position = | chief9_name = | chief9_position = | parent_department = Election Commission of India | parent_agency = | website = {{URL|https://karsec.gov.in/}} | footnotes = }}

'''Karnataka State Election Commission''' is an State Constitutional body constituted in Indian state of Karnataka for ensuring that elections in are conducted in free, fair and unbiased way. Constitution of India with provisions as per Article 243K and 243 ZA and Article 324 ensures creation and safeguarding of the powers of State Election Commissions. Karnataka State Election Commission came into existence with the promulgation of 73rd and 74th amendment to the Constitution of India on 26 May 1993 with an objective of superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and to conduct all elections to the Urban Local Bodies and Rural local bodies like Municipalities, Municipal Corporations, Panchayats and any other specified by Election Commission of India. Karnataka State Election Commissioner is appointed by Governor of Karnataka.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Karnataka State Election Commission|url=https://karsec.gov.in/|access-date=2021-12-16|website=karsec.gov.in}}</ref>

== History and administration ==

Karnataka State Election Commission was formed in accordance with powers of Election Commission of India, which was constituted in year 1950<ref name="sec ref1">{{cite news |title=WHAT IS ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA (ECI)? |url=https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-election-commission-of-india#collapse |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=Business Standard India}}</ref> to supervise state level elections.<ref name="sec ref3">{{cite news |title=State election panels: Independent of central EC, with similar powers |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/state-election-panels-independent-of-central-ec-with-similar-powers-5132220/ |access-date=6 December 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=12 April 2018 |language=en}}</ref> State election commissioner is appointed by Governor.<ref name="sec ref2">{{cite news |title=India Code: Section Details |url=https://www.indiacode.nic.in/show-data?actid=AC_CEN_18_21_00005_199426_1517807320414&sectionId=42788&sectionno=98&orderno=98 |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=www.indiacode.nic.in}}</ref><ref name="sec ref6">{{cite news |title=State Election Commissioner Conditions of Service Rules, 1994 |url=http://www.bareactslive.com/HRY/HL534.HTM |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=www.bareactslive.com |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206113835/http://www.bareactslive.com/HRY/HL534.HTM |url-status=dead }}</ref> To ensure the autonomy of the position, the Karnataka state election commissioner cannot be removed from office except on the grounds and manner specified for judge of High Court.

== Powers and responsibilities ==

Karnataka States Election Commissioner is responsible for the following:<ref name="sec ref1" /><ref name="sec ref7">{{cite news |title=Election Commission directs all state electoral officers to immediately redress all pending voter applications |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/election-commission-directs-state-electoral-officers-immediately-redress-pending-voter-applications-1503026387.html |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=The Statesman |date=23 November 2021}}</ref>

* Releasing election schedule.<ref name="ksec ref5">{{cite news |title=Karnataka state election commission postpones gram panchayat polls |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/bengaluru/karnataka-state-election-commission-postpones-gram-panchayat-polls/story-PXLU10zaoOzjbeviY1YBCL.html |access-date=14 December 2021 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=28 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref> * Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State. * Conducting elections for Municipal Corporations in State. * Issue notification containing guidelines for conducting elections for conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State. * Conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.<ref name="ksec ref4">{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=Madhu |title=Karnataka State Election Commission postpones gram panchayat polls |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/karnataka-state-election-commission-gram-panchayat-polls-postpones-621442 |access-date=14 December 2021 |publisher=indiatvnews.com |date=29 May 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ksec ref6">{{cite news |title=BJP-backed Candidates Lead Karnataka Gram Panchayat Polls, Secure 4,228 Seats So Far |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/karnataka-gram-panchayat-election-results-2020-live-updates-karsec-5728-vote-counting-local-bodies-bsy-bidar-3227870.html |access-date=14 December 2021 |publisher=News18 |date=30 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref> * Laying guidelines for persons eligible to contest in elections for Municipal Corporations in State. * Conducting elections for Municipal panchayats in State.<ref name="kec ref2">{{cite news |last1=Moudgal |first1=eep |title=Karnataka: Amid fears of Covid-19 clusters, SEC announces polls to 60 urban local bodies {{!}} Bengaluru News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/karnataka-amid-fears-of-covid-19-clusters-sec-announces-polls-to-60-urban-local-bodies/articleshow/87982944.cms |access-date=14 December 2021 |publisher=The Times of India |date=29 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref> * Model code of conduct are following in elections for local bodies. * Updating Electoral rolls with new additions. * Updating Electoral rolls with removals, if any. * Declaration of results of elections held for Municipal Corporations in State. * Declaration of results of elections held for Municipal panchayats in State. * Ordering repoll if needed. * Making arrangements for Statewide polls. * Monitoring poll expenditure for Panchayat polls. * Laying guidelines for issue of opinion polls. * Decision on conducting elections. * Declaring results of local body polls. * Municipal and Panchayat constituencies delimitation exercise.<ref name="kec ref1">{{cite news |title=Karnataka to set up commission to redraw ZP, TP constituencies |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/karnataka-to-set-up-commission-to-redraw-zp-tp-constituencies/article36300304.ece |access-date=14 December 2021 |publisher=The Hindu |date=5 September 2021 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref name="kec ref3">{{cite news |title=A ruse to put off local body elections |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/second-edit/a-ruse-to-put-off-local-body-elections-1030799.html |access-date=14 December 2021 |publisher=Deccan Herald |date=16 September 2021 |language=en}}</ref> * Countermanding elections in case of mal practices.<ref name="ksec ref7">{{cite news |title=Karnataka State Election Commission countermands 13 gram panchayat seats over auctioning – Mysuru Today |url=https://citytoday.news/karnataka-state-election-commission-countermands-13-gram-panchayat-seats-over-auctioning/ |access-date=14 December 2021 |publisher=citytoday.news |date=19 December 2020}}</ref>

== Composition ==

Karnataka State Election Commission is headed by Chief Election Commissioner and as many members as specified in State Act. State Election Commissioners are independent persons not holding position or office in any Central or State Government organisations<ref name="sec ref5">{{cite news |title=State election commissioners should be independent, says SC |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/state-election-commissioners-should-be-independent-says-sc/cid/1809411 |publisher=www.telegraphindia.com |date=13 March 2021}}</ref>

Sri Dr B.Basavaraju, I.A.S., Retd., is the Chief Election Commissioner of Karnataka State Election Commission.<ref name="ksec ref8" /> His period of service will be 5 years or attaining an age of 65 years whichever is earlier.

== Constitutional requirements ==

Karnataka State Election Commission was formed after amendment of Constitution with 73rd and 74th declaration.<ref name="sec ref4">{{cite news |title=India State Election - Find information of all State elections in India |url=https://www.elections.in/state-elections.html |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=www.elections.in}}</ref> State Election Commissions were formed as per Article 243K of the Constitution, similar to setting up of Election commission of India as per Article 324.<ref name="sec ref3" />

== See also ==

Election Commission of India.

== References == <!-- See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners on how to create references. --> {{Reflist}}

== External links == * [https://karsec.gov.in/ Official Website]

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<!-- Categories --> Category:State election commissioners of India Category:Local elections in Karnataka