Whereas, the President of India has, by notification issued under Section 12 of the Representation of the People Act

## Report on Election Commission of India Notification Regarding Council of States Election for Kerala (2021) **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes a notification issued by the Election Commission of India on April 13, 2021, regarding the election of members to the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) from the State of Kerala. The notification outlines the schedule for the election process, including dates for nomination, scrutiny, withdrawal of candidatures, polling (if necessary), and completion of the election. The key finding is the establishment of a concrete timeline for the electoral process, ensuring a timely and orderly election to the Council of States. **2. Introduction:** This report aims to provide a detailed overview of the Election Commission of India's notification published on April 13, 2021, concerning the election to the Council of States for the State of Kerala. The analysis focuses solely on the information contained within the provided text of the notification. **3. Policy Overview:** This is a new policy notification outlining the schedule for an election. The core objective, as stated in the text, is to facilitate the election of members to the Council of States from Kerala, in accordance with Section 39 and Section 56 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. **4. Background and Rationale:** The notification stems from the President of India's call, under Section 12 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, for the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala to elect members to the Council of States, due to existing members retiring. The notification addresses the practical requirements for executing that call by defining the specific dates for each key step in the process of electing new members. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** This is a new policy notification outlining the schedule for an election, and as such, the key provisions are as follows: * **Appointment of Dates:** The notification formally appoints the following dates for specific actions: * April 20, 2021 (Tuesday): Last date for making nominations. * April 21, 2021 (Wednesday): Date for the scrutiny of the nominations. * April 23, 2021 (Friday): Last date for the withdrawal of candidatures. * April 30, 2021 (Friday): Date on which a poll shall be taken, if necessary. * May 03, 2021 (Monday): Date before which the election shall be completed. * **Polling Hours:** If a poll is necessary, the hours for polling are fixed as 09:00 am to 04:00 pm on the specified date (April 30, 2021). * **Reference to Legal Framework:** The notification refers to Section 12, Section 39 and Section 56 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 as the basis for the election process and the powers of the Election Commission. **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this notification include: * Elected members of the Legislative Assembly of Kerala. * Potential candidates for the Council of States election. * The Election Commission of India. * Political parties operating in Kerala. * Citizens of Kerala interested in the electoral process. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible Agency:** The Election Commission of India is the responsible agency for overseeing the election, as explicitly stated in the notification. * **Timelines:** Specific timelines are established for nomination, scrutiny, withdrawal, polling (if necessary), and completion of the election, as detailed in Section 5. These timelines provide a clear framework for the electoral process. The notification dictates that all activities must be completed before May 3rd, 2021. * **Procedures:** The notification implies that standard election procedures will be followed, although specific details of these procedures are not outlined in the provided text. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The intended outcome is a fair, transparent, and timely election of members to the Council of States from the State of Kerala. The precise scheduling of each step aims to minimize ambiguity and ensure the election is conducted in an orderly manner. The notification provides clarity to stakeholders, especially potential candidates and the elected members of the Legislative Assembly, regarding key deadlines and responsibilities. **9. Conclusion:** The Election Commission of India's notification of April 13, 2021, is a critical document for the election of members to the Council of States from Kerala. By establishing clear timelines and referencing the relevant legal framework, the notification provides a structured framework for the electoral process and contributes to the effective functioning of India's parliamentary system. The notification’s significance lies in ensuring the timely and orderly filling of seats in the Council of States, contributing to the continued representation of the State of Kerala in the Indian Parliament.

Key Entities Referenced