Former chief election commissioner (CEC) of India, Sunil Arora, has joined the board of advisers of the International Institute for Democracy & Electoral Assistance (IDEA).

Key Points
• A 1980 batch Indian Administrative Service officer, Sunil Arora has been selected as he brings rich leadership experience, skills and knowledge to contribute significantly towards working of the international institute.
• Sunil Arora was the 23rd chief election commissioner of India. His tenure was from December 2, 2018 to April 12, 2021. He had joined as Election Commissioner in September 2017.

Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Sunil Arora has joined the Board of Advisors for International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).

The international institute is assisted by a 15-member Board of Advisors that consists of eminent personalities from various fields.

According to Election Commission of India (ECI), Sunil Arora brings rich leadership experience, knowledge and skills to contribute significantly to the working of the IDEA).

About IDEA
• Based in Stockholm. IDEA is an inter-governmental organisation that supports sustainable democracy worldwide.
• IDEA is assisted by a 15-member board of advisers who are eminent experts or personalities from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• It currently has 34 member countries, including large, small, older and newer democracies from across the globe.
• India was one among the 14 founding members of IDEA.

The Chief Election Commissioner of India
The Chief Election Commissioner is the head of Election Commission of India, which is a body constitutionally empowered to conduct free and fair elections in India. CEC of India is a member of Indian Civil Service and mostly a member from the Indian Administrative Service. It is a difficult task to remove the authority of Chief Election Commissioner, once he is appointed by the president. This is so, because two-thirds of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are required to present and vote against him for his conduct or improper actions.

Election Commission of India
• The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India. The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.
• Article 324 in the Indian Constitution gives power to the Election Commission to conduct these elections.