Election Commissioners are members of the Election Commission (EC), the constitutional body tasked with ensuring the conduct of free and fair elections. They are usually retired civil servants, and are appointed by the President. The EC was helmed by a single Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) since the body was set up in 1950. In 1989, two more Election Commissioners were appointed but their tenure ended in 1990. Thereafter, in 1993, two Election Commissioners were again appointed. Since then the EC has been a three-member panel. The tenure of the CEC and Election Commissioners lasts six years, or up to the time they attain the age of 65, whichever is earlier. They receive the same pay as a judge of the Supreme Court. Their decisions are taken by a majority vote.
