The power to decide the date of an election to a State LegislativeAssembly rests with the Election Commission of India. To notifydates and schedules of elections and to scrutinise nominationpapers is one of the many functions of the Commission. The Election Commission is a permanent and independent body established by the Constitution of India directly to ensure free and fair elections in the country. Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures, the office of the President of India and the office of the Vice President of India shall be vested in the Election Commission