145;Kalam right in referring Chawla issue to Centre146;

Since the appointment of an Election Commissioner and Chief Election Commissioner was made by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers, it became relevant in their removal also, it added.

The Centre asserted the President was not obliged to obtain the recommendations of the CEC on any representation for removal of an EC.

8216;8216;It would be inconceivable that in a parliamentary democracy allegations or petitions seeking removal of an EC would straightaway be considered by the CEC without being processed by the executive government,8217;8217; the affidavit said.

In his petition, Jaswant Singh had contended that the President should not have referred the NDA representation for Chawla8217;s removal to the Union Council of Ministers but instead to the CEC for his recommendation.