Under Article 324 of the Constitution of India, are the powers of the Election Commission plenary, or do they operate only where the field is unoccupied by legislation?

The jurisdiction is wide enough to include all powers necessary for smooth conduct of elections, but it is not plenary in nature. Where Parliament or a State Legislature has made a valid law relating to or in connection with elections, the Commission is required to act in conformity with the said provisions; the powers under this Article apply only to those areas that are unoccupied by legislation. In case where law is silent, Article 324 is a reservoir of power to act for the avowed purpose of having free and fair election.

Constitution of India — Art. 324 — Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — s.321 — Indian Penal Code, 1860 — ss.171E, 188 — Representation of the People Act, 1951 — elections — black money — electoral offences — seizure of cash — withdrawal of cases — Constitution of India — Art. 324 — Election Commission — powers wide but not plenary — Held: Article 324 vests superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission; that power is wide but not plenary and operates only where the field is unoccupied by legislation. Controlling black money in the electoral process is one of its responsibilities. (¶10, 12) Constitution of India — Art. 324 — seizure of cash — reasons to be reduced in writing — Held further: On a seizure of cash or other assets, the suspicion of commission of crime and the likeliness of the material being used for untoward purposes must be reduced in writing, and the seizure reported within 24 hours. (¶17, 18) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — s.321 — withdrawal of cases — approval of the concerned High Court — Held further: A case arising from an electoral offence is not to be withdrawn as the norm; for candidates in a particular election cycle the approval of the concerned High Court is mandatory, a change in political dispensation being no ground. (¶17, 18) Constitution of India — Art. 324 — investigation and prosecution — completion within a year, designated courts — Held further: An investigation into an electoral offence must be completed within a year, with reasons recorded and a quarterly status report to the Election Commission where that timeline is exceeded; High Courts may designate courts for prompt hearing and disposal. Directions issued. (¶17, 18)

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