Government amends controversial bill impacting Chief Election Officer's selection process

Centre is set to present the amended Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, in the Rajya Sabha today, following modifications prompted by objections from the Opposition and former chief election commissioners.

The bill, initially intended for a special session in September, aims to overhaul the selection panel for the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners, proposing to replace the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet minister in the decision-making process.

In response to a Supreme Court directive in March, the original bill suggested a panel consisting of the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India, and the leader of the opposition.

However, the Centre has now made changes to address concerns, maintaining the status of the CEC and election commissioners as equivalent to Supreme Court judges. Additionally, the bill retains the provision for a Union law minister instead of the Cabinet secretary in the initial search committee, which prepares a panel of names for consideration by the selection panel.

Despite the amendments, opposition members argue that the bill still concentrates power within the executive, challenging the Supreme Court's recommended composition.