Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023

News: The Supreme Court announced it would consider hearing petitions in February challenging the constitutional validity of the 2023 law on appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs).

About Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023

Constitutional provisions for appointment of ECs– Election Commissioners are appointed under Article 324 of the Indian Constitution, which grants the Election Commission of India (ECI) the authority to supervise and control elections.

Key features of the new act 

• Appointment– The President appoints the CEC and ECs based on recommendations from a Selection Committee, which includes the Prime Minister, a Union Cabinet Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition.  
• A Search Committee, led by the Law Minister, proposes a list of candidates to the Selection Committee. 
• Qualification of CEC and ECs: Persons who are holding or have held posts equivalent to the rank of Secretary to the central government will be eligible to be appointed as CEC and ECs.  Such people must have expertise in managing and conducting elections. 
• Salary- The Bill provides that salary, allowance, and service conditions of the CEC and other ECs will be the same as that of the Cabinet Secretary.