A new bill has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha – The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 – on Thursday by Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Union Law Minister. According to the bill, the Chief Justice of India in the committee to select Election Commissioners in the nation will be replaced by a Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM.

Take a look on what happened so far:

The Beginning – A batch of pleas were submitted in the top court seeking reforms in the process of appointing Election Commissioners since the executive often violates Article 324(2) and thereby their power to make appointments.

The Supreme Court Ruling – In March 2023, the constitution bench of the top court ruled that Election Commissioners should be appointed by the President based on advice from a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.

The Bench Explains – The constitution bench made it clear that the order is to fill the constitutional vacuum since at present there is no parliamentary law in place to lay down the selection procedure for Election Commissioners.

Latest move by the Union Government – A new bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha – The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 – on Thursday by Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Union Law Minister.

Crucial change – The bill will replace the Chief Justice of India in the committee by a Cabinet Minister nominated by the PM. Opposition accuses that this change will provide the executive once again the power to control the appointment of Election Commissioners.