How Ambedkar’s amendment led to the creation of the Election Commission

The Election Commission was established by Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who is regarded as a major architect of the Indian Constitution. He introduced an amendment in the Constituent legislature that resulted in the creation of the Election Commission, an independent organization tasked with holding elections for the state legislature, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and state legislative council in addition to the president and vice president.

After the Constituent Assembly ratified the Constitution on November 26, 1949, several of its provisions—including the one pertaining to the EC—went into effect right away. The remaining clauses become operative on January 26, 1950. One day before India became a Republic, on January 25, 1950, the EC was established.

According to academic papers and discussions in the Constituent Assembly, draft Article 289 before Ambedkar introduced the change called for independent electoral commissions for the federal government and the states. Ambedkar, however, suggested a more centralized organization led by a chief election commissioner who would be chosen by the president.