Selection of Election Commissioners

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.