| Syllabus: GS-II, Subject: Polity, Topic: Institutions, Issue: Appointment of CEC and ECs |
Context: The three-member committee headed by the Prime Minister to select candidates for the two vacant posts of Election Commissioners.
Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner(CEC) and Election Commissioners(ECs):
- Article 324: The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners as the President may fix.
- Their appointment shall be made by the President subject to any law made by Parliament.
Appointment Procedure:
- Regulated by the CEC and Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
- The CEC and ECs will be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of a Selection Committee consisting of the
- Prime Minister,
- a Union Cabinet Minister, and
- Leader of Opposition/leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
- The salary and conditions of service of the CEC and ECs will be equivalent to that of Cabinet Secretary.
+1 Advantage for Mains:
| Case law: Anoop Baranwal v Union of India 2023
● The Supreme Court declared that until a law is made by the parliament, the appointment of CEC and ECs shall be made on the recommendation of a committee consisting of ➢ Prime Minister ➢ Leader of opposition in Lok sabha ➢ The Chief justice of India ● In the CEC and Other ECs (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 passed, the CJI is excluded and instead a Union cabinet minister is included in the committee. |
