{"id":229770,"date":"2023-03-04T19:30:55","date_gmt":"2023-03-04T14:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=229770"},"modified":"2023-08-28T14:38:10","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T09:08:10","slug":"changes-to-the-process-of-selecting-election-commissioner-significance-and-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/changes-to-the-process-of-selecting-election-commissioner-significance-and-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"Changes to the process of selecting election commissioner: Significance and challenges – Explained, pointwise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
For\u00a07PM Editorial<\/strong>\u00a0Archives click\u00a0HERE <\/a>\u2192<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

In<\/span> the<\/span> case<\/span> of<\/span> Anoop Baranwal v. Union of <\/strong>India<\/strong>,<\/span> a<\/span> five-judge<\/span> Constitution<\/span> Bench<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Supreme<\/span> Court<\/span> ruled<\/span> unanimously<\/span> that<\/span> a<\/span> powerful<\/span> committee<\/span> must<\/span> choose<\/span> the<\/span> Chief<\/span> Election<\/span> Commissioner<\/span> (CEC)<\/span> and<\/span> Election<\/span> Commissioners.<\/span> This<\/span> committee<\/span> has<\/span> the<\/span> Prime<\/span> Minister,<\/span> the<\/span> Leader<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Opposition<\/span> in<\/span> Lok<\/span> Sabha,<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> Chief<\/span> Justice<\/span> of<\/span> India<\/span> as<\/span> members<\/span> (ECs).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

About the case<\/h2>\n

\"Selection<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read here: President to appoint CEC, ECs on advise of committee comprising PM, LoP, CJI: Supreme Court<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the changes introduced by SC regarding selecting Election Commissioner?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
\"Selection
Source:\u00a0 Business Standard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There<\/span> are<\/span> just<\/span> five<\/span> Articles<\/span> (324-329)<\/span> in<\/span> Part<\/span> XV<\/span> (Elections)<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Constitution<\/span> which<\/span> deals<\/span> with<\/span> CEC<\/span> and<\/span> ECs. The<\/span>\u00a0Constitution<\/span> does<\/span> not<\/span> lay<\/span> down<\/span> a<\/span> specific<\/span> legislative<\/span> process<\/span> for<\/span> the<\/span> appointment<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> CEC<\/span> and<\/span> ECs.<\/span> Currently,<\/span> t<\/span>he<\/span> President<\/span> makes<\/span> the<\/span> appointment<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> advice<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Union<\/span> Council<\/span> of<\/span> Ministers<\/span> headed<\/span> by<\/span> the<\/span> Prime<\/span> Minister.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span> SC<\/span> has<\/span> now<\/span> given<\/span> the<\/span> Opposition<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> judiciary<\/span> a<\/span> say<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> matter,<\/span> ruling<\/span> that<\/span> the<\/span> CEC<\/span> and<\/span> ECs<\/span> must<\/span> be<\/span> appointed<\/span> by<\/span> the<\/span> President<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> advice<\/span> of<\/span> a<\/span> committee<\/span> comprising<\/span> the<\/span> PM,<\/span> Leader<\/span> of<\/span> Opposition<\/span> in<\/span> Lok<\/span> Sabha,<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> Chief<\/span> Justice<\/span> of<\/span> India.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other<\/span> observations<\/span> made<\/span> by<\/span> SC<\/span> in<\/span> respect<\/span> of<\/span> the\u00a0election<\/span> commission<\/span> are:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Secured <\/strong>Tenure<\/strong>:<\/span> The<\/span> SC<\/span> noted<\/span> that<\/span> the<\/span> conditions<\/span> of<\/span> service<\/span> of<\/span> Election<\/span> Commissioners,<\/span> after<\/span> appointment,<\/span> should<\/span> not<\/span> be<\/span> \u201c<\/span>varied<\/span> to<\/span> their<\/span> disadvantage\u201d.<\/span> These<\/span> directions<\/span> hold<\/span> that<\/span> the<\/span> tenures<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Election<\/span> Commissioners<\/span> should<\/span> not<\/span> be<\/span> disturbed<\/span> in<\/span> any<\/span> way<\/span>.<\/span> The<\/span> Election<\/span> Commission<\/span> (Conditions<\/span> of<\/span> Service<\/span> of<\/span> Election<\/span> Commissioners<\/span> and<\/span> Transaction<\/span> of<\/span> Business)<\/span> Act,<\/span> 1991<\/span> requires<\/span> that<\/span> the<\/span> CEC<\/span> and<\/span> Election<\/span> Commissioners<\/span> must<\/span> hold<\/span> the<\/span> post<\/span> for<\/span> a<\/span> period<\/span> of<\/span> six<\/span> years.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Expenses from the Consolidated Fund of India<\/strong>: T<\/span>he<\/span> court<\/span> has<\/span> made<\/span> an\u00a0appeal<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> Parliament<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> Union<\/span> Government<\/span> to<\/span> set<\/span> up<\/span> a<\/span> permanent<\/span> secretariat<\/span> which<\/span> draws<\/span> its<\/span> expenses<\/span> directly<\/span> from<\/span> the<\/span> Consolidated<\/span> Fund<\/span> of<\/span> India<\/span> and<\/span> not<\/span> the<\/span> government.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the need for the change in selecting Election Commissioner?<\/h2>\n

To uphold the constitution<\/strong>:<\/span> Article<\/span> 324(2)<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Constitution<\/span> stipulated<\/span> that<\/span> the<\/span> Chief<\/span> Election<\/span> Commissioner<\/span> and<\/span> Election<\/span> Commissioners<\/span> shall<\/span> be<\/span> appointed<\/span> by<\/span> the<\/span> President<\/span> subject<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> provisions<\/span> of<\/span> any<\/span> law<\/span> made<\/span> on<\/span> that<\/span> behalf<\/span> by<\/span> Parliament.<\/span> It<\/span> may<\/span> not<\/span> have<\/span> happened<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> last<\/span> 70<\/span> years.<\/span> This<\/span> change<\/span> will<\/span> help<\/span> make<\/span> the<\/span> constitutional<\/span> requirement<\/span> happen.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To ensure free and fair elections<\/strong>:<\/span> As<\/span> a<\/span> constitutional<\/span> body<\/span> vested<\/span> with<\/span> plenary<\/span> powers<\/span> of<\/span> superintendence,<\/span> direction<\/span> and<\/span> control<\/span> over<\/span> elections,<\/span> the<\/span> ECI<\/span> is<\/span> a<\/span> vital<\/span> component<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> republic<\/span> that<\/span> requires<\/span> functional<\/span> freedom<\/span> and<\/span> constitutional<\/span> protection<\/span> to<\/span> ensure<\/span> free<\/span> and<\/span> fair<\/span> elections<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To end monopoly<\/strong>:<\/span> To<\/span> end<\/span> the<\/span> government<\/span> monopoly<\/span> and<\/span> \u201c<\/span>exclusive<\/span> control\u201d<\/span> over<\/span> appointments<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> highest<\/span> poll<\/span> body.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To bring <\/strong>uniformity<\/strong>:<\/span> The<\/span> judgment<\/span> also<\/span> brings<\/span> a<\/span> certain<\/span> uniformity<\/span> in<\/span> appointment<\/span> procedures<\/span> across<\/span> institutions<\/span> and<\/span> statutory<\/span> bodies<\/span> responsible<\/span> for<\/span> independently<\/span> maintaining<\/span> democracy<\/span> and<\/span> institutional<\/span> autonomy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To fulfil the historical <\/strong>demand<\/strong>:<\/span> The<\/span> demand<\/span> for<\/span> an<\/span> independent<\/span> system<\/span> for<\/span> the<\/span> appointment<\/span> of<\/span> members<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Election<\/span> Commission<\/span> goes<\/span> back<\/span> nearly<\/span> 50<\/span> years.<\/span> It<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> repeatedly<\/span> recommended in various committees such as t<\/span>he<\/span> Justice Tarkunde committee <\/strong>1975<\/strong>;<\/span> the<\/span> Dinesh Goswami committee, <\/strong>1990<\/strong>;<\/span> the<\/span> second administrative reforms <\/strong>commission<\/strong>,<\/span> 2007<\/strong>,<\/span> and<\/span> by<\/span> the<\/span> Law Commission of India in its 255th report, <\/strong>2015<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more: <\/strong>Supreme Court verdict will ensure a more independent Election Commission<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the advantages of the changes to the process of selecting election commissioners?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The<\/span> advantage<\/span> of<\/span> the neutral<\/span> selection<\/span> committee<\/span> for selecting election commissioners are<\/span> a) <\/strong>It addresses<\/strong><\/span> the conflict of interest <\/strong>inherent<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> current<\/span> selection<\/span> process<\/span> for<\/span> election<\/span> commissioners,<\/span> b)\u202fEnforces the EC\u2019s credibility <\/strong>and<\/span> insulates<\/span> the<\/span> EC<\/span> from<\/span> political<\/span> attacks,<\/span> c) <\/strong>Can<\/span> act<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> constitutional<\/span> lesson<\/span> in<\/span> India\u2019s<\/span> troubled<\/span> times,<\/span> and<\/span> d) <\/strong>Recognises<\/span> the<\/span> fine<\/span> distinction<\/span> between<\/span> conventional<\/span> democracy<\/span> and<\/span> constitutional<\/span> democracy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more:\u00a0Supreme Court calls out Centre over short tenures of Chief Election Commissioners<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What are the challenges associated with the\u202fchanges to the process of selecting election commissioner?<\/h2>\n

Highlights \u201cjudicial <\/strong>activism\u201d<\/strong>:<\/span> According to the government, \u201cin the absence of a law, the President has the constitutional power.\u201d Hence,\u00a0Judiciary’s committee guidelines are <\/span>seen<\/span> as<\/span> the<\/span> era<\/span> of<\/span> judicial<\/span> activism<\/span> by<\/span> some<\/span> experts.<\/span> Even the government has also asked the court to exhibit judicial restraint.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: The ruling cites past instances of the Court stepping in to fill a gap in the law, including the Vishaka guidelines to curb sexual harassment in the workplace, and the interpretation of the process of appointment of judges.<\/em><\/p>\n

Against the \u201cdoctrine of separation of power\u201d<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span> The<\/span> constitution<\/span> has<\/span> given<\/span> powers<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> Parliament<\/span> to<\/span> frame<\/span> the<\/span> law<\/span> with<\/span> respect<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> appointments<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> election<\/span> commission.<\/span> The<\/span> Supreme<\/span> Court’s<\/span> intervention<\/span> in<\/span> this<\/span> domain<\/span> is<\/span> regarded<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> disregard<\/span> for<\/span> the<\/span> doctrine<\/span> of<\/span> separation<\/span> of<\/span> powers.<\/span> This<\/span>\u202f<\/span>is<\/span> also<\/span> against<\/span> the<\/span> “basic<\/span> structure”<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Constitution.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Against the idea of \u201cconstitution is supreme\u201d<\/strong>: The words \u201csubject to the provisions of any law made on that behalf by Parliament\u201d mentioned in Article 324(2) have been included only after prolonged discussions in the Constituent Assembly. This highlights that the government can decide and frame any law.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The debates made clear that a)<\/strong> The Parliament will step in and provide norms to govern the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners, b)<\/strong> A law by Parliament is final and not the executive who exclusively calls the shots in the matter of appointments to the Election Commission.<\/p>\n

At this juncture, the involvement of the Court<\/span> in the selection process <\/span>has<\/span> highlighted <\/span>that<\/span> the judiciary <\/span>is<\/span> the<\/span> sole<\/span> impartial<\/span> body<\/span> capable<\/span> of<\/span> ascertaining<\/span> the<\/span> best<\/span> interests<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Success is uncertain<\/strong>:<\/span> For<\/span> the<\/span> Central<\/span> Bureau<\/span> of<\/span> Investigation<\/span> (CBI),<\/span> a<\/span> similar<\/span> panel<\/span> for<\/span> making<\/span> appointments<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> set<\/span> up.<\/span> There<\/span> is<\/span> no<\/span> clear<\/span> proof<\/span> that<\/span> the<\/span> CBI<\/span> Director<\/span> maintains<\/span> independence.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also,<\/span> having<\/span> the<\/span> CJI<\/span> on<\/span> appointing<\/span> committees<\/span> could<\/span> give<\/span> all<\/span> appointments<\/span> extra<\/span> legitimacy<\/span> and<\/span> make<\/span> it<\/span> harder<\/span> for<\/span> judges<\/span> to<\/span> look<\/span> objectively<\/span> for<\/span> mistakes<\/span> or<\/span> flaws<\/span> in<\/span> the<\/span> process<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What should be done forward?<\/h2>\n