Modi Govt wants to replace CJI with a cabinet minister in EC selection panel, bill introduced in Rajya Sabha

The government on Thursday introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha amidst protest from opposition that seeks to replace Chief Justice of India as one of the members of the selection panel that can appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. The Supreme Court in March 2023 had given a verdict on the selection process amidst allegations from opposition that the Central govt lacks transparency when it comes to the appointments in the top posts of the ECI. SC had ordered a selection panel of three members including the Prime Minister, the leader of opposition in LokSabha and the Chief Justice of India. Now the Central Government plans to replace the CJI. 

The bill named Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 proposes to replace the CJI in the panel with a Cabinet minister to be nominated by the PM. That would effectively mean the Central government will have greater say in the selection process. 

Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal tweeted that the bill was a “blatant attempt at making the Election Commission a total puppet in the hands of the PM”. He further added “What about the Supreme Court’s existing ruling which requires an impartial panel? Why does the PM feel the need to appoint a biased election commissioner? This is an unconstitutional, arbitrary and unfair bill. We will oppose this on every forum”

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale has written to law ministry questioning as why the bill wasn’t put through public consultation. He called it “an attempt to finish free and fair elections and to give Modi Govt full control to rig elections in favour of BJP”

The Upper House was adjourned soon after because of the disruption. The upper house likely to face protests as opposition will be objecting to the bill. So far SC didn’t have a say in the selection process of CEC or election commissioners. Opposition calls it complete disregard for the highest court of the land.