Lok Sabha passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 on Thursday.
The bill seeks to establish a selection panel on appointments comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and a Union Cabinet Minister to recommend the President on appointments.
The bill was earlier approved by the Rajya Sabha, even as the opposition walked out of the house, showing dissent to the bill.
The bill is in conflict with the Supreme Court’s direction for the formation of an independent panel that would comprise of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha or the leader of the largest opposition party and Chief Justice of India. The decision was ruled by a bench headed by Justice KM Joseph in March until the parliament frames a law.
In the new bill, for the selection process of the election commissioners, the involvement of the Chief Justice of Supreme Court has been removed.
The new bill will also protect CEC and ECs from legal proceedings in relation to the actions taken against them during their tenure.
The new bill prohibits the courts from entertaining civil or criminal proceedings against a current or an ex-CEC or EC for their actions or words uttered while performing their duty.
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