Know how election commissioners are appointed, now what will change after the Supreme Court’s order?
Who appoints the chief election commissioner of India?
Reform in Election Commission: The Supreme Court has given an important decision on the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
The court has ordered that a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India will appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners. Earlier only the Central Government used to select the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
What did the Supreme Court say?
During the hearing of the case, a 5-member bench of the Supreme Court said that the names of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners would be recommended to the President by a panel consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of the country. After this, the President will seal the names.
The court has said that until the Parliament makes a law regarding the appointment of election commissioners, this process will remain in force. The Supreme Court clearly said in its decision that this selection process should be on the lines of the CBI Director.
The Election commission should be independent
The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court said that it is necessary to keep promoting transparency in elections for the strength of democracy.
Justice KM Joseph headed the constitution bench hearing the petition seeking reforms in the Election Commission. Justice KM Joseph said that the fairness of the election process must be maintained for a good result.
A vote is the most powerful, which can show the way out of power to even the most powerful party. The Election Commission should discharge its responsibility fairly and within the ambit of the law on the basis of constitutional provisions and directions of the Supreme Court.
Know What is the Process Now
Till now the Central Government has been appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. As per the procedure followed till now, a list of officers of the rank of Secretary, existing or retired, is prepared.
On the basis of this list, a committee is formed of all three names. These names are considered by the Prime Minister and the President.
After this, the Prime Minister talks to the officers involved in the committee and sends one name to the President and also explains the reason for electing that person as the Election Commissioner. Their tenure is for 6 years or till the age of 65 years whichever is earlier.
Election commissioners are elected through this process and the senior among them is appointed as the chief election commissioner.
How many Election Commissioners can there be in the Election Commission?
No number has been fixed in the constitution regarding this. Article 324(2) of the Constitution states that the Election Commission may consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. It depends on the President what will be their number.
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