In pursuance of Section 21, and in exercise of the powers conferred by subsection 1 of Section

## Report on Election Commission of India Notification Regarding Returning Officers for Council of States Election **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on April 13, 2021, regarding the designation and appointment of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers for the biennial election to the Council of States in Kerala. The core purpose is to fulfill the statutory requirements under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The key finding is the assignment of specific individuals to these roles, ensuring the proper administration of the election process in Kerala. **2. Introduction:** This report provides an overview of the Election Commission of India's notification, dated April 13, 2021, concerning the designation and appointment of election officials for the Council of States election. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a *new* policy action. It is not an amendment. The core objective, inferred from the text, is to designate and appoint officials responsible for conducting the biennial election to the Council of States in the State of Kerala, in accordance with the Representation of the People Act, 1951. **4. Background and Rationale:** As a new policy action, the notification addresses the need to fulfill the statutory requirements for conducting free and fair elections. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 mandates the appointment of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers to oversee the election process. This notification likely addresses the routine need to appoint these officers prior to each biennial election to the Council of States, ensuring the election is conducted in a legally compliant manner. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** As this is a new policy action *designating officials*, the main provisions are: * Designation of Sri S. V. Unnikrishnan Nair, Secretary, Kerala Legislature Secretariat, Thiruvananthapuram as the Returning Officer for the biennial election to the Council of States in Kerala. * Appointment of Sri R. Kishor Kumar, Special Secretary, Kerala Legislative Assembly, Thiruvananthapuram as the Assistant Returning Officer to assist the Returning Officer in the performance of his functions. * The notification is issued in pursuance of Section 21 and in exercise of the powers conferred by subsection 1 of Section 22 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. * The action is taken in consultation with the Government of the State of Kerala. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience is likely the designated Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer, as well as the Kerala Legislature Secretariat and Legislative Assembly. Stakeholders include political parties contesting the election, voters eligible to participate in the Council of States election, and the Election Commission of India itself. The Government of the State of Kerala is also a stakeholder, as the appointments were made in consultation with them. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Election Commission of India is responsible for issuing the notification and overseeing its implementation. The Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer are responsible for carrying out their assigned duties. * **Timelines or procedures:** The notification is linked to the biennial election to the Council of States, to be held in Kerala, "in pursuance of the notification of the President of India, published in the Gazette of India on 13th April, 2021". This sets a relevant timeline for the officers to begin their duties. * The notification references the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which outlines the powers, functions, and responsibilities of Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome is the smooth and legally compliant conduct of the biennial election to the Council of States in Kerala. The designation of specific officers ensures accountability and responsibility for the election process. The allocation of these roles is critical for managing the various aspects of the election, from nomination to vote counting. **9. Conclusion:** The Election Commission of India's notification designates specific individuals as Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officer for the Council of States election in Kerala. This action is crucial for upholding the integrity and legality of the electoral process, adhering to the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The notification is a routine, yet essential, step in the democratic process, guaranteeing the proper administration of elections and the representation of the people.

Key Entities Referenced