Question map
Which one of the following constitutional authorities inquires and decides in case of doubts and disputes arising out of election of the President and Vice President of India?
Explanation
According to Article 71 of the Constitution of India, the Supreme Court of India is the exclusive and final authority for inquiring into and deciding all doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with the election of the President and the Vice-President [2]. While the Election Commission of India is responsible for supervising the machinery and procedure of these elections under Article 324, it does not possess the judicial power to adjudicate election disputes for these specific high offices [1]. The Constitution explicitly states that the decision of the Supreme Court in such matters is final [2]. Furthermore, an election cannot be challenged on the grounds of any vacancy existing in the electoral college [2]. This special jurisdiction distinguishes the President and Vice-President from other offices like the Prime Minister or Speaker, whose election disputes are typically handled by High Courts [1].
Sources
- [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 31: ELECTIONS > INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA [CHAPTER 31 > p. 450
- [2] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 19: Vice President > ELECTION > p. 203