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Journalism of Courage
Bringing opposition on board CECs appointment will strengthen the institution
As Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi retires,senior BJP leader L.K. Advani has asked the government to reconsider the appointment process to critical constitutional offices. He has suggested that,instead of being chosen by the government of the day,the chief election commissioner CEC should be selected by a wider collegium that includes representatives of the political opposition. Advanis suggestion has been echoed by the left parties and the UPAs ally,the DMK,and even the outgoing CEC has informally endorsed the idea.
Merely constituting a broader panel for appointments may not be enough,however,if members views are weighted differently. After all,the CVC appointment panel did have the opposition on board,but Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swarajs views were evidently not heeded,and the slapdash decision-making process was made visible in the appointment of P.J. Thomas,for instance. The selection process must be made to ensure that no suspicion of slant or bias can be entertained. While it may not be possible to overhaul the procedure for the upcoming CEC appointment,the government should consider how this entirely sensible idea can be put to action in the future.
