The constitutional and legal framework governing elections in India is outlined in the Constitution of India, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Election Commission of India Act, 1951. The Constitution grants the power to conduct elections to the Election Commission of India (ECI), which is a constitutional body responsible for conducting free and fair elections.

Key provisions:

Article 324: Empowers the ECI to conduct elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures.
Article 329: Prohibits the use of government machinery for political purposes during elections.
Representation of the People Act, 1951: Outlines the procedures for conducting elections, including voter registration, nomination of candidates, and voting procedures.
Election Commission of India Act, 1951: Establishes the ECI as an autonomous body responsible for conducting elections.
Role and independence of the Election Commission of India:

Autonomy: The ECI is a constitutional body with autonomy to conduct elections as per the Constitution and laws.
Independence: The ECI is insulated from political interference, ensuring impartiality in its decisions.
Mandate: The ECI’s primary responsibility is to ensure free and fair elections, ensuring that voters are able to exercise their franchise freely.
Comparison with other major democracies:

United States:
The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is responsible for regulating campaign finance and enforcing election laws.
The FEC has a more limited role compared to the ECI, with less emphasis on conducting elections.
United Kingdom:
The Electoral Commission is responsible for regulating electoral processes, including funding and campaigning.
The UK’s system is more decentralized, with local authorities responsible for conducting elections.
Australia:
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums.
The AEC has a more limited role compared to the ECI, with less emphasis on campaign finance regulation.
Key differences:

Centralized vs. Decentralized: India’s election management system is centralized, with the ECI responsible for conducting elections nationwide. In contrast, some democracies have decentralized systems with local authorities responsible for conducting elections.
Campaign finance regulation: India’s election laws focus on regulating campaign finance, whereas some democracies have more comprehensive regulations.
Voter registration: India has an online voter registration system, whereas some democracies have more manual or paper-based systems.
Challenges faced by the ECI:

Voter turnout: Low voter turnout remains a concern in Indian elections.
Electoral violence: Violence during elections remains a significant challenge for the ECI.
Campaign finance regulation: Ensuring compliance with campaign finance regulations remains a challenge for the ECI.
In conclusion, the Indian election management system is unique due to its centralized structure and emphasis on regulating campaign finance. While there are challenges faced by the ECI, its autonomy and independence ensure that it plays a crucial role in maintaining democratic norms in India.