Bill To Regulate Appointment Of CEC, ECs Get President Droupadi Murmu’s Nod

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023. The legislation establishes a mechanism for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs). A search committee, led by the law minister and two individuals not below the rank of secretary, will prepare a panel of five candidates for the selection committee’s consideration.

The Selection Committee, chaired by the prime minister and including the leader of the opposition and a Union minister, will recommend candidates to the President for the appointment of CEC and other ECs.

Additionally, the President has given assent to the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, replacing the outdated Press and Registration of Books Act of 1867. This move aims to modernize the publishing industry and streamline the periodical registration process. Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur highlighted the bill’s simplicity and efficiency, stating that newspapers and periodicals can now be registered with just a click. This replaces the previous cumbersome eight-step registration process, allowing for quicker registration within two months instead of the previous two to three years.

Furthermore, the President has approved the Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023.