The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 was introduced by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Rajya Sabha.
Instead of the CJI, the three-member panel would consist of a cabinet minister besides the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, and the Prime Minister, who would head it.
It aims at removing the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from a three-member panel to select the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners.
At first, a list of five persons would be prepared for the selection committee’s consideration for appointment as the CEC and Election Commissioners.
In March, the Supreme Court had ruled that the selection panel should comprise the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and the CJI.
The court had said the order would hold good until a law was made by Parliament.
Till this SC ruling, Election Commissioners and CECs had been appointed by the President after recommendations from the government.