Modi Government To Move Bill Dropping Chief Justice Of India From Selection Process Of Chief Election Commissioner

The Centre is preparing to introduce legislation that would remove the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the process of appointing the country's top election officers.

This move is likely to create tension between the executive and the judiciary.

According to media reports, the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Services and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 is set to be presented in the Rajya Sabha today (10 August).

The bill proposes that the President, upon the recommendation of a panel consisting of the Prime Minister, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister, will be responsible for appointing polling officers.

The Prime Minister will chair the panel.

It is evident that the bill aims to undermine the Supreme Court's March 2023 judgement, which stated that the appointment of chief election commissioners and election commissioners should be made by the President based on the advice of a panel consisting of the Prime Minister, leader of opposition, and the Chief Justice of India.

This bill paves the way for a new clash between the Supreme Court and the Centre.