Plea challenges new law on appointment of CEC, ECS

• Recently, a PIL was filed in the Supreme Court over the recent amendments to the appointment process of the CEC and ECs.
• The PIL sought the quashing of the new law that grants the central government extensive powers in making appointments to the Election Commission.

Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023

• The new law was criticized for dropping the CJI from the selection committee.
• It now empowers the President to appoint the CEC and ECs based on the recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of
  • The Prime Minister
  • The Leader of Opposition in the House of the People
  • A Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister
• It includes provisions for a search committee chaired by the Union Law Minister to prepare a panel of candidates for the selection committee's consideration.

Opposition's Allegations

• The opposition accuses the government of defying a March 2023 Supreme Court order.
• The March 2023 SC order specified the involvement of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the CJI in selecting the CEC and ECs

Seeking an Independent System

• The PIL calls for the implementation of an "independent and transparent system of selection".
• It suggests constituting a neutral and independent selection committee for the appointment of the CEC and ECs.
• It seeks the inclusion of the CJI in the selection committee, emphasizing the importance of a fair and unbiased process in appointing the key electoral authorities.

Prelims Takeaway

• Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
• Election Commission of India