Govt Brings Bill in RS to Exclude CJI from Panel to Appoint CEC & ECs

New Delhi: The Union government on Thursday tabled the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

This bill excludes the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the panel to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs).

As per the bill the panel for these appointments will have the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, and a Cabinet minister as members.

A Supreme Court constitution bench in March ruled that a panel comprising the Prime Minister, LoP, and the CJI shall appoint the CEC and ECs until Parliament brings a law in this regard.

The court gave the ruling saying the independence of ECI requires a collegium and that purity of the election process must be maintained to preserve democracy or else it would lead to disastrous consequences.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is a three-member body, with a CEC and two ECs.

Earlier, CEC and ECs were appointed by the Prime Minister and the council of ministers under the seal of the President.