What are judicial & electoral powers & functions of the Parliament?
Q. Which of the following are judicial and electoral powers and functions of the Parliament?
1) It can impeach the President.
2) The Parliament is authorized to make laws to regulate the elections.
3) It can amend the constitution.
4) It can punish its members for the breach of its privileges or its contempt.- Published on 03 Mar 17a. 1, 3
b. 1, 2, 3
c. 1, 2, 4
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 1, 2, 4
Judicial Powers and Functions -
1. It can impeach the President for the violation of the Constitution.
2. It can remove the Vice-President from his office.
3. It can recommend the removal of judges (including chief justice) of the Supreme Court and the high courts, chief election commissioner, comptroller and auditor general to the president.
4. It can punish its members or outsiders for the breach of its privileges or its contempt.
Electoral Powers and Functions -
1. The Parliament participates in the election of the President (along with the state legislative assemblies) and elects the Vice-President.
2. The Lok Sabha elects its Speaker and Deputy Speaker, while the Rajya Sabha elects its Deputy Chairman.
3. The Parliament is also authorized to make laws to regulate the elections to the offices of President and Vice-President, to both the Houses of Parliament and to both the Houses of state legislature.
4. Accordingly, Parliament enacted the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election Act (1952), the Representation of People Act (1950), the Representation of People Act (1951), etc.
Other Powers and Functions -
1. It serves as the highest deliberative body in the country.
2. It discusses various issues of national and international significance.
3. It approves all the three types of emergencies (national, state and financial) proclaimed by the President.
4. It can create or abolish the state legislative councils on the recommendation of the concerned state legislative assemblies.
5. It can increase or decrease the area, alter the boundaries and change the names of states of the Indian Union.
6. It can regulate the organization and jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and high courts and can establish a common high court for two or more states.
