While ECI is empowered by Article 324 of the Constitution to hold polls to Lok Sabha and state assemblies, for which a common voters’ list is used, state election commissions (SEC) derive their powers from Article 243K and 243ZA to prepare rolls for local body polls. However, SECs of 22 states are known to rely on ECI rolls for conduct of three-tier polls, thanks to an enabling provision in their relevant state laws.
