Published: 23rd Mar, 2024
Context
The President has appointed Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, both retired IAS officers, as Election Commissioners (ECs) to fill up two vacancies in the three-member Election Commission of India under the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
The new Selection Process
- The CEC and ECs are appointed by the President of Indiaon the recommendation of a selection committee.
- Selection Committee: In terms of the new law, the two ECs were selected by a three-member Selection Committee, comprising
- Prime Minister (Narendra Modi)
- Union Home Minister (Amit Shah)
- Leader of the largest party in the Opposition (Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury)
- Eligibility criteria: Eligibility for the posts includes holding (or having held) a post equivalent to the Secretary to the central government. The CEC and ECs must:
- be persons of integrity,
- have knowledge and experience in the management and conduct of elections, and
- be or have been Secretary (or equivalent) to the government
- Term and reappointment: Members of the Election Commission hold office for six years, or until they attain the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
- Members of the Commission cannot be re-appointed. If an EC is appointed as a CEC, the overall period of the term may not be more than six years.
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