PM-led committee to meet on March 14 to select two ECs

These appointments would be the first ones under the new law passed last year to regulate the appointments and conditions of service. As per the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, a search committee headed by the Law Minister and two other members of the rank of Secretary to the Government of India will prepare a panel of five persons for the Selection Committee to consider.

Candidates for CEC and ECs have to be “persons who are holding or have held a post equivalent to the rank of Secretary to the Government of India and shall be persons of integrity, who have knowledge of and experience in management and conduct of elections,” the Act states.

Prior to the Act, the President used to appoint the CEC and ECs, on the advice of the government, in the absence of legislation. In March last year, the Supreme Court had ruled that a committee of the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of India and the Leader of Opposition would select CECs and ECs, until Parliament enacts a law.