Prime Minister Modi's Panel Meets Today to Choose New CEC
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Synopsis
On February 17, a three-member panel, headed by PM Narendra Modi, will meet to select a new Chief Election Commissioner as Rajiv Kumar prepares for retirement. The meeting marks a significant change in the appointment process under the new law.
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi leads selection committee for new CEC.
- Rajiv Kumar retires on February 18.
- First appointment under new 2023 Act.
- Pending PILs regarding appointment process.
- New CEC will oversee key upcoming elections.
New Delhi, Feb 17 (NationPress) With Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar scheduled to retire on February 18, a three-member selection committee chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will convene on Monday to select his successor.
Rajiv Kumar will step down on Tuesday upon reaching the age of 65.
The selection committee includes PM Modi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and a Union Minister appointed by the PM. According to sources, Law Minister Arjun Meghwal will also participate in this meeting.
This marks the first appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioner Act, 2023, which became effective in December 2023. S.S. Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar were appointed as Election Commissioners under this law in March 2024.
The two Commissioners were brought in to fill positions left vacant after the resignation of Arun Goel and the retirement of Anup Chandra Pandey.
Previously, the senior-most among the remaining Election Commissioners was customarily promoted to the top position following discussions with the outgoing CEC. However, under the updated selection method, appointments are now determined through a majority or consensus decision within the selection panel.
Numerous PILs regarding the appointment process, particularly for the exclusion of the Chief Justice of India from the panel as was customary, are currently pending before the Supreme Court.
The apex court has arranged a hearing for these petitions on February 19.
It will be intriguing to observe whether the three-member selection panel appoints a new CEC or opts to promote one of the current Election Commissioners to the role.
If the first option is chosen, the new CEC will oversee the 2029 Lok Sabha elections since the term is six years. The new CEC will also manage the Bihar Assembly elections this year; polls in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry in 2026; and Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh in 2027.
