The News Freedom
New Delhi, December 21
The Lok Sabha today successfully passed the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, which had previously received approval from the Rajya Sabha. This legislation replaces the ‘Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991’, focusing on the procedures related to the appointment, remuneration, and removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs). Notably, the legislation excluded the Chief Justice of India from the Selection Committee responsible for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs).
As per the bill’s provisions, the President will appoint the CEC and ECs upon the recommendation of a Selection Committee. This committee will comprise the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and either the Leader of the Opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
Responding to discussions on the Bill, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal highlighted that the legislation aligns with the Supreme Court’s directives concerning the appointment of these officials. He elaborated on the formation of a Search Committee, chaired by the Union Law Secretary, tasked with proposing a list of candidates to the Selection Committee. Meghwal emphasized that the salary of the CEC and ECs will match that of Supreme Court Judges. Furthermore, he clarified that any order issued by the CEC or ECs cannot be legally challenged in court.