Supreme Court set to review petition regarding appointment of election commissioners

Digital desk: The urgent hearing request on a petition concerning the decision to remove the Chief Justice of India from the panel responsible for choosing election commissioners was granted by the Supreme Court today. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, speaking on behalf of the petitioner Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), was informed by Justice Sanjeev Khanna that the case would be listed on Friday and that they had received a message from the Chief Justice.

This occurs at a time when the polling organization's top panel has two openings. Anup Chandra Pandey, his senior panel colleague, retired this month, while Election Commissioner Arun Goel quit last week. With only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar remaining on the top panel, weeks remain till the Lok Sabha election.

This comes at a time when the poll body has two vacancies in its top panel. Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned last week and his colleague on the top panel, Anup Chandra Pandey, retired last month. This leaves only Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on the top panel, and the Lok Sabha election - the biggest event for the poll body - is weeks away.

The petition filed by the ADR draws attention to the Election Commissioner's appointment procedures. The Chief Justice of India, the Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha must recommend candidates for the top election positions, according to a ruling made by the Supreme Court's Constitution panel last year.

The Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 was introduced by the Center a few months later. After passing the Parliament, this act removed the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel. It was placed on a Union Minister instead. The Executive gained more weight on the panel as a result.

This action is contested in the ADR's petition. Jaya Thakur, a congress leader, has also appealed to the Supreme Court. The new law's appointment halt was previously rejected by the Supreme Court last month. However, since Mr. Goel resigned, the issue has gained momentum. The Opposition, accusing the Center of a "systemic decimation" of government institutions, has angered the Center.

On February 13, the court had refused to pause appointments, but sought the Centre's reply to the petition challenging the new process.