Bill to set up panel for selection of CEC, ECs does not change order of precedence of CEC: Govt source

The Bill also repeals the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991, which had equated the salary of the ECI members to that of a Supreme Court judge.

The Bill says the CEC and ECs would be paid the salary equal to the Cabinet Secretary.

The source said keeping in mind the profile of the ECI, there was “no change” in the order in the Table of Precedence, in which the CEC remains as number 9A, with Supreme Court judges at 9.

The Table of Precedence, maintained by the Ministry of Home Affairs, gives the order for different office-bearers for ceremonial purposes. The Cabinet Secretary is listed at number 11. The source added that the basic salary of both a Supreme Court judge and the Cabinet Secretary is Rs 2.5 lakh a month.

As per the Bill, a search committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary will select five names for the selection committee chaired by the PM to pick from. The source said a committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary also prepares a panel of candidates for other roles such as chairman and members of the Union Public Service Commission, the Central Vigilance Commission and the Chief Information Commissioner.

A former CEC, speaking to The Indian Express on condition of anonymity, said while the salary amount was the same, the Bill would lead to a “symbolic downgrading” of the office of CEC.