Parliament's 75-year journey to be discussed in Special Session; Bill on Election Commissioners to be introduced

In the upcoming special session of the Parliament, which is scheduled to begin on 18 September, the proceedings will begin with 'Samvidhan Sabha'. The Centre has decided to start the special session with a discussion on Parliament's 75-year journey- the first gathering which met on December 9, 1946.

In addition to this four bills including a Bill to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are part of the legislative business of the government for the session.

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Apart from the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, introduced in Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session on August 10, the list includes ‘The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ and ‘The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023’, already passed by Rajya Sabha on August 3, 2023.

The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023 amends the Advocates Act, 1961, while the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 repeals the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867.

Besides, ‘The Post Office Bill, 2023’ has also been listed in the Lok Sabha business. The bill was earlier introduced in Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2023 and it repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.

Also read: Government releases agenda of Parliament's Special Session starting from 18 September

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the last session introduced the Bill on the appointment of Chief Election Commissioners and other election commissioners.

This Bill also deals with the procedure for the transaction of business by the Election Commission. Besides, it proposes that the Election Commissioners will be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will chair the panel.

The Bill, if it comes into effect, will negate the Supreme Court's March 2023 judgment that held that the appointment of Election Commissioners will be done by the President on the advice of a panel comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India.

The government has also convened a meeting of the floor leaders of all political parties on September 17, a day before the start of the five-day session.