Election Commission ecs Under Scrutiny Amid Controversy
The appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner has been criticized by opposition leaders, who argue that the process was disrespectful and discourteous to institutions and the nation's founding leaders. The controversy has sparked a debate about the independence of the Election Commission and the role of the executive in the selection process.
The Supreme Court has deferred the hearing of multiple petitions challenging the 2023 law governing the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) until February 20, 2025, leaving the questions over the law's constitutionality and impact on electoral independence in limbo.
The petitions, filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur and several NGOs, argue that the law violates the principle of separation of powers and gives the Executive undue control over the election process. The law was passed in December 2023, replacing the Chief Justice of India with a Union minister in the selection committee, which critics say undermines the independence of the Election Commission and the constitutional mandate for free and fair elections.
Meanwhile, Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch IAS officer from Kerala, has been appointed as the next Chief Election Commissioner of India, replacing outgoing Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. Kumar's appointment was announced in a late-night development on Monday, despite opposition from Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who was present in the meeting of the three-member panel that selected Kumar. The appointment has sparked a row, with opposition leaders criticizing the timing and process of the appointment.
The controversy surrounding the appointment of the new Chief Election Commissioner has raised concerns about the independence of the Election Commission and the dominance of the executive in the selection process. The Supreme Court's decision to defer the hearing of the petitions has added to the uncertainty, leaving the fate of the 2023 law and the appointment of the new CEC hanging in the balance.
