Search Committee Initiates First-Ever Chief Election Commissioner Selection Process Under 2023 Act—Here's All About It

With Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar set to retire on 18 February, the Union Law Ministry has established a Search Committee to shortlist candidates for his replacement, sources revealed to PTI.

Headed by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, the committee will recommend names to the Selection Committee tasked with finalising the next CEC.

The Selection Committee, as mandated by the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act 2023, comprises Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.

This marks the first instance of appointing a CEC under the 2023 Act. The legislation stipulates that the Selection Committee will choose the CEC from a panel of five names proposed by the Search Committee. However, the Act allows the Selection Committee to consider candidates outside the panel as well.

The Indian Express had earlier reported that the 2023 Act’s selection procedure was applied for the appointments of Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu in March 2024.

Traditionally, the CEC was appointed by elevating the senior-most Election Commissioner, but the new law formalises a structured selection process.

Sources indicated that the Search Committee, formed on 17 January, includes the Finance Secretary and the Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training alongside the Law Minister. The committee is expected to recommend five secretary-level officers for consideration.

While Gyanesh Kumar, the current senior-most Election Commissioner, remains a strong contender, the prescribed selection process must be followed.