Indian Polity and Governance

The convention is that Governors are appointed from states other than the one they will govern, avoiding potential bias or local political entanglements. This helps maintain impartiality and prevents the Governor from being seen as representing local interests. The Governor represents the Union government in the state.

The Governor is the executive head of the state under Article 154 of the Constitution, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister. While the Governor is the constitutional head, real executive power is exercised by the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers. The President is the executive head at the Union level.

Under Article 156 of the Constitution, the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President. Therefore, resignation must be addressed to the President, not the Chief Minister, Speaker, or Prime Minister.

Article 156(1) states that the Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. This means the President can remove the Governor at any time without assigning reasons. The Governor does not depend on Chief Minister or State Council confidence.

Under Article 143, the Supreme Court's advisory jurisdiction is activated only when the President refers a question of law or fact. The Court cannot suo moto tender advice - it must await presidential reference.

Under Article 324(2) of the Constitution, the President of India appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. While this appointment is made on the advice of the Prime Minister (as per the 91st Amendment), the formal constitutional authority for appointment rests with the President.

The Chief Election Commissioner serves as the Chairman of the Election Commission, which consists of the CEC and other Election Commissioners. The CEC has casting vote in case of tie and is the chief executive of the Commission responsible for conducting free and fair elections.

Article 324(4) provides that Regional Election Commissioners are appointed by the President after consultation with the Chief Election Commissioner. The Regional Commissioners assist the Chief Election Commissioner in conducting elections in their respective regions. The President acts on the advice of the CEC.

According to Article 324(5) of the Constitution of India, the Chief Election Commissioner can be removed in the same manner as a Supreme Court judge, while the Election Commissioners and Regional Commissioners can be removed only on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

Under Article 324(5) of the Constitution, Parliament has the power to make laws regarding the conditions of service and tenure of office of Election Commissioners and Regional Election Commissioners. This includes matters like salary, allowances, leave, and removal procedures. State Legislatures do not have this power.

The Election Commission of India has the exclusive power to decide de-recognition of political parties based on their electoral performance, including cases like election boycott. This power is derived from the Election Symbols Order and related electoral laws. Courts cannot interfere in the routine exercise of this power though they can review it for arbitrariness.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is the presiding officer and has administrative control over the Lok Sabha Secretariat. The Secretariat assists the Speaker in conducting House business and maintaining parliamentary records. The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs is an executive branch member, while the President has a ceremonial role.

The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament - Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Unlike the Presidential election, state legislative assembly members do not participate in the Vice-Presidential election. The Vice-President acts as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

Supreme Court judges are appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (as per the original Article 124). This is a constitutional appointment, not by Parliament or Prime Minister. The President acts on the advice of the CJI (and in modern practice, the collegium of senior judges). This ensures judicial independence in the appointment process.