CEC Bill: LS passes bill to regulate service terms of India's Election Commission

21 Dec 2023 Evaluate

The Lok Sabha (LS) today passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, which seeks to regulate the appointment of top officials of the Election Commission.

The Bill seeks to regulate the appointment of the CEC and two ECs by constituting a three-member selection committee consisting of Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and Leader of Opposition or the leader of the largest opposition party in Lok Sabha. The Bill will replace the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991. The bill was passed by LS after a brief debate. Major opposition political parties did take part in the debate on the bill, as 97 of their members have been suspended for ‘misconduct’ for remainder of Parliament's Winter Session.

Earlier this month, it was approved by the Rajya Sabha. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal had moved the bill in the Upper House for its consideration and passage. He had revealed that the new legislation has been necessitated as the earlier Act had certain weaknesses. Meghwal said judgment had noted that the norm provided by the Supreme Court will continue to hold good till a law is made by the Parliament.



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