NEW DELHI, Feb 17: The selection committee, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened this evening and reportedly has put forth a name for the next chief election commissioner to the President, according to sources. Meanwhile, the Congress party has requested the government to postpone the decision until a Supreme Court hearing takes place.
In addition to Modi, the committee includes Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi. They gathered at the Prime Minister’s Office in South Block to recommend the name to President Droupadi Murmu.
Government sources indicated that the announcement regarding the next CEC’s name could be made “within the next few hours.”
Current CEC Rajiv Kumar will retire on Tuesday upon reaching the age of 65.
Traditionally, the senior-most Election Commissioner (EC) is promoted to CEC following the retirement of the outgoing officer.
However, a new law governing the appointments of the CEC and ECs was enacted in 2023, establishing a search committee responsible for shortlisting five candidates from amongst secretary-level officers for the prime minister-led committee’s evaluation and decision.
This law is currently under challenge in the Supreme Court, with a hearing scheduled for February 19.
Following Rajiv Kumar, Gyanesh Kumar is the senior-most election commissioner, serving until January 26, 2029.
Should Gyanesh Kumar be appointed as the next CEC, a new EC will also need to be appointed to fill the vacancy from his promotion.
Sources mentioned that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged the government to delay the appointment of the new CEC until after the Supreme Court hearing on February 19 regarding the petition questioning the selection panel’s structure.
At a press conference following the meeting, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi stated that the government’s decision to exclude the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee signals a desire for control rather than upholding the Election Commission’s credibility.
Singhvi refrained from disclosing specific details from the meeting aside from confirming Gandhi’s presence.
He emphasized that the challenge against the new act is pending in the Supreme Court, which has acknowledged it, with the next hearing set for February 19.
“Given that only 48 hours remain, the government should have sought an expedited Supreme Court hearing for the petition,” he asserted.
“We propose that the Central government postpone this meeting until after the hearing and instruct its legal team to assist the court in making the hearing effective. Only then can a substantive decision be made,” Singhvi stated.
AICC treasurer Ajay Maken, who also spoke at the press conference, remarked, “The Congress believes that since the SC has indicated it will hear the case regarding the committee’s constitution on the 19th, this meeting should have been put on hold.”
Singhvi reiterated that the Congress’s position emphasizes adherence to the letter and spirit of the Constitution.
“It is essential that any decision reflects transparency, balance, and impartiality to serve the public interest and uphold democracy. This is a fundamental principle of our republic,” he added.
He referenced the Supreme Court ruling in the Anoop Baranwal case, which stipulated that the committee for selecting the CEC and ECs should include the Chief Justice of India, along with the prime minister and the Opposition Leader.
Citing the judgment, he noted that Election Commissioners, including the CEC, should not be chosen solely by the executive.
“While the executive is entitled to enact laws, the Modi government hastily introduced a new law that fundamentally contradicts the spirit of the judgment, facilitating exclusive executive selection,” he explained.
He emphasized that the independent functioning of the Election Commissioner is vital, especially in light of numerous allegations directed at the poll panel over the last two years. (PTI)
