SC’s Major Decision: President to Appoint CEC, ECs on Advise of Committee Comprising PM, LoP and CJI

GG News Bureau

New Delhi, 2nd March. The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the President will appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners on the advice of a committee comprised of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India.

In a unanimous decision, a five-judge constitutional bench led by Justice KM Joseph held that this standard will remain in effect until Parliament passes legislation on the matter.

The Supreme Court stated that if the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is not there, then the leader of the single largest opposition party will be in the committee to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner and elections commissioners.

The bench issued its decision on a batch of petitions seeking a collegium-style system for appointing election commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner.