THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Dec 12: The Central Government presented a bill in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, proposing to regulate the appointment, terms of service, and duration of office for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs). Additionally, the bill outlines the procedures for conducting business by the Election Commission.Top of Form
The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 was introduced by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Upper House for deliberation and approval.
When presenting the bill, Meghwal highlighted that it encompasses several crucial aspects, such as salary structures and the regulation of appointments, among other significant matters.
The bill serves as a replacement for the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991. It was initially introduced in the Rajya Sabha on August 10th of the current year.
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What is the bill?
According to the Bill, the President will appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) based on the recommendations of a Selection Committee. This committee will include the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
As stated in the bill, “a Search Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary will propose a panel of names to the Selection Committee.” This means that the recommendations made by the Selection Committee will remain valid even in the event of a vacancy in the committee.
A position equivalent to Secretary to the Central Government must be held, or previously held, in order to be eligible for the positions.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) will receive a salary and conditions of service equivalent to those of the Cabinet Secretary, as per the new bill. Previously, under the 1991 Act, it was aligned with that of a Supreme Court judge.
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