THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, Dec 21: Lok Sabha passed a bill to govern the appointment and terms of service for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners on Thursday.
Law Minister Arjun Meghwal explained that the legislation was enacted in accordance with a Supreme Court judgement.
Following a brief debate, the Lok Sabha passed the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023. The Rajya Sabha passed it last week.
Despite having 97 members suspended for “misconduct” for the duration of the winter session, major opposition political parties participated in the bill debate.
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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.
The chief election commissioner and other election commissioners’ pension, leave, resignation, and term of office are all covered under the bill, along with their qualifications, search and selection committees, resignation and removal.
The new legislation will supersede the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991.
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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