Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a Union Cabinet meeting during the ongoing five-day special session of Parliament. Although the agenda of the union meeting has not been announced, speculations are rife that “historic decisions” will be taken, citing Prime Minister Modi’s earlier comment.
Before the special session of Parliament began, the secretariats had issued an official statement setting out the agenda of the special session of Parliament. The statement listed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Tenure) Bill 2023 as part of the agenda.
However, latest reports indicate that the government will not push for passage of the bill on the appointment of CEC and election commissioners during the five-day session of Parliament. PTI reported citing people familiar with the developments. The bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha on August 10 by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
The people have informed PTI that one of the positions within the government is to refer the bill to the standing committee on law and justice.
Some former CECs, including N Gopalaswamy, VS Sampat and SY Quraishi, had written a letter to the Prime Minister on Saturday opposing the provision to equate the CEC and EC with the Cabinet Secretary.
Opposition leaders spoke out against the bill on Sunday at an all-party meeting convened by the government on the eve of Parliament’s session.
Criticism, including from some former CECs and ECs, of some of its provisions may have prompted the government to reconsider its decision. PTI report states.
What is the CEC bill?
The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Tenure) Bill, 2023 seeks to replace the Chief Justice of India with a minister on the panel for selection of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners, in a This move will give the government more control on the appointment of members of the poll panel.
The bill also said that the salary, allowances and other conditions of service of the CEC and ECs will be the same as those of the Cabinet Secretary, a change from their current parity with that of a Supreme Court judge. Critics say this amounts to a dilution of the polling watchdog’s authority.
A vacancy will arise in the Election Commission (EC) early next year when Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey steps down from his post on February 15 upon attaining the age of 65.
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Updated: Sep 18, 2023 9:24 PM IST
