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Who will be the new CEC? PM Modi-led panel finalises name; Rahul Gandhi objects, asks Govt to wait until SC hearing
The Prime Minister-led panel has reportedly recommended the next Chief Election Commissioner. However, Congress argues the decision should have been postponed until after the Supreme Court rules on the selection panel's constitution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led selection committee, which met at PMO in South Block on February 17, has finalised and recommended the name of the next chief election commissioner (CEC) to President Droupadi Murmu, news agency PTI said quoting sources on Monday.
Gyanesh Kumar, the Election Commissioner since March last year, is among the five names shortlisted to replace Rajiv Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, sources said. Kumar's term ends on February 18 on attaining the age of 65 years.
Besides Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi – part of the panel which – met on Monday evening. The government is expected to announce the name of the next CEC soon, the PTI report said.
Rahul Gandhi's objection overruled?
Rahul Gandhi is learnt to have asked the Modi government to defer the appointment until the Supreme Court decides on the petitions challenging the new appointment process.
The PM-led panel has reportedly overruled Gandhi’s dissent note objecting to the Selection Committee’s composition and a notification announcing the new CEC is expected anytime soon, according to a report in the Indian Express.
The Congress has asked the government to adjourn the meeting to select the new CEC until the Supreme Court hears on February 19 a petition on the constitution of the selection panel. The statement came soon after a meeting of the PM Modi-led selection committee attended by Rahul Gandhi.
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that by removing the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee, the government has made it clear it wants control and not preserve the credibility of the Election Commission. He said the case challenging the new act to appoint the CEC and other Election Commissioners is currently pending before the Supreme Court, which has issued a notice, and the matter is now listed for next hearing on February 19.
"It is our suggestion that the Central government adjourn this meeting until after the hearing and instruct its counsels to appear and assist the court so that the hearing may be an effective one. Only then, can a decision be taken in earnest," Singhvi said addressing a press conference on Monday.
Supreme Court is set to hear on Wednesday a petition challenging the removal of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) as member of the Selection Committee under the new law.
The Congress asked the government to adjourn the meeting to select the new chief election commissioner until the Supreme Court hears on February 19.
The Congress' statement came soon after a meeting of the three-member selection committee.
So far, the senior-most election commissioner (EC) was elevated as the CEC following the retirement of the incumbent. However, after a new law on appointments of the CEC and ECs came into force last year, a search committee shortlists names of five secretary-level officers for consideration by a prime minister-led panel for appointment to the posts.
Besides the CEC, a new EC could also be appointed to fill the vacancy created by Rajiv Kumar's retirement. After Rajiv, Gyanesh Kumar is the senior-most election commissioner. His tenure is till January 26, 2029.
The Union government had earlier set up a search committee ahead of the meeting. The CEC and EC are appointed by the President of India based on the recommendations of a selection committee.
(With agency inputs)
Key Takeaways
- The selection of the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has sparked controversy due to its timing.
- Congress emphasizes the importance of judicial oversight in the appointment process.
- The outcome of the Supreme Court hearing may impact the legitimacy of the selection process.
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Business NewsNewsWho will be the new CEC? PM Modi-led panel finalises name; Rahul Gandhi objects, asks Govt to wait until SC hearing
First Published:17 Feb 2025, 08:46 PM IST
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