A Bill to Drop CJI from Poll Officers’ Selection Process

The Rajya Sabha is set to witness the introduction of a significant bill, namely the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023. This bill aims to address the appointment conditions of service and term of office for the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners. It is listed for introduction in the Rajya Sabha indicating the government’s intent to bring about reforms in the electoral process.

The removal of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection committee for the appointment of the Chief and other Election Commissioners of India is the goal of a bill that the Centre has introduced in the Parliament.

According to the new bill, a committee made up of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and a Union Minister the Prime Minister has nominated will choose the Election Commissioners.

The Rajya Sabha has scheduled the introduction of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023.

The bill to govern the appointment, terms of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners, as well as the process by which the Election Commission conducts business and matters related thereto or incidental thereto, will be introduced by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

The bill was criticised by the Congress as yet another attempt to control significant institutions.

The PM will choose a Union Cabinet Minister to take the place of the CJI as a member of the selection committee to recommend a Chief Election Commissioner, according to Congress MP Sushmita Dev. Although a member, the leader of the opposition will undoubtedly be outnumbered. An institution that needs to be independent is being controlled in yet another manner.

The appointment of Election Commissioners should be done on the advice of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India, according to a five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court in March of this year.

According to the top court, the current system of selecting election commissioners will be followed until a law is passed by the Parliament.

ALSO READ: PM Modi To Address Lok Sabha Today At 4 PM, To Counter Opposition

In a significant development, the Centre has introduced a bill aimed at removing the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection process of poll officers. The move comes as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to bring about reforms in the electoral system.Currently, the CJI plays a crucial role in the selection process, along with other members of the Election Commission.