The Election Commission must act tough
5 years, 8 months ago

The Election Commission must act tough

The Hindu  

The 2019 general election will long be remembered not just for the transgressions of the top political leadership, but also for the Election Commission itself being put in the dock. Then I remembered the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” And Plato, “I will put down your silence as consent.” It took repeated raps on its knuckles by the Supreme Court for the EC to crack the whip. On April 15, a Supreme Court Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India pulled up the EC for not acting against hate speeches and statements on religious lines. The Supreme Court had observed in 1977 that “where these are absent, and yet a situation has to be tackled, the Chief Election Commissioner has not to fold his hands and pray to God for divine inspiration to enable him to exercise his functions and to perform his duties or to look to any external authority for the grant of powers to deal with the situation. After the EC had not acted on complaints against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for almost a month, the Supreme Court ordered it to do so before May 6.

India Constitution Court Supreme Act Cec Election Commissioners  ec  act  trust  court  tough  supreme  institution  commission  election  commissioners  credibility  political  chief

History of this topic

Petitioners Request Supreme Court To Hear Challenge To Election Commissioners' Law Before Retirement Of CEC In February
Trending News
1 day, 18 hours ago

Petitioners Request Supreme Court To Hear Challenge To Election Commissioners' Law Before Retirement Of CEC In February

Live Law  

On mentioning of the pleas challenging constitutionality of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which removed the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel appointing Election Commissioners, the Supreme Court today expressed inclination to hear the matter on February 4. The most notable feature of the new legislation is that the President of India would …

High Time Public Service Commissions Ensure Modern Indian Bureaucracy Draws The Best Talent : Justice PS Narasimha
2 weeks, 3 days ago

High Time Public Service Commissions Ensure Modern Indian Bureaucracy Draws The Best Talent : Justice PS Narasimha

Live Law  

Speaking at the Justice ES Venkataramiah Centennial Lecture 2024 on 'Reimagining Constitutional Institution: Efficiency, Integrity, and Accountability', Justice PS Narasimha expressed how rising litigation of service matters signalled the need to review the quality of selections in Public Services. However, Justice Narasimha also flagged concerns over the conduct of panchayat and municipalities' elections by the State Election Commissions : "I …

CJI Sanjiv Khanna recuses himself from hearing petitions on Election Commission Appointment Law
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

CJI Sanjiv Khanna recuses himself from hearing petitions on Election Commission Appointment Law

India TV News  

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna on Tuesday recused himself from hearing petitions challenging the exclusion of the Chief Justice from the panel responsible for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. The petitions challenge the validity of Sections 7 and 8 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023. A bench comprising CJI Khanna and …

Election Commission Doing Greatest Disservice If It Doesn't Act In Time Against Use Of Religion For Votes : Justice KM Joseph
7 months, 1 week ago

Election Commission Doing Greatest Disservice If It Doesn't Act In Time Against Use Of Religion For Votes : Justice KM Joseph

Live Law  

Justice KM Joseph, former Supreme Court judge, underscored the importance of the Election Commission of India taking timely action against the use of religion, race, language and caste to fetch votes in elections.Stating the appeal for votes on the basis of such identities is forbidden by law, Justice Joseph said that the Election Commission must come down heavily against such …

Election Commission of India | Hand-holding Indian democracy
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Election Commission of India | Hand-holding Indian democracy

The Hindu  

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” The year was 1951. The Gist Among the most crucial reforms the CEC introduced were the switching from individual coloured ballot boxes for each candidate to ballot papers and then the Electronic Voting Machines As parties raised doubts over the security of the EVMs, the ECI introduced a …

Watch | How were the new Election Commissioners selected, and why is the new law being criticized?
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Watch | How were the new Election Commissioners selected, and why is the new law being criticized?

The Hindu  

Watch | How were the new Election Commissioners selected, and why is the new law being criticized? The two officials are the first to be appointed under the new law governing appointments to the constitutional body, the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Act, 2023. Article 324 of the Constitution says the Election Commission shall consist of the Chief …

Supreme Court Refuses To Stay Election Commissioners' Act Dropping CJI From Selection Panel
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Supreme Court Refuses To Stay Election Commissioners' Act Dropping CJI From Selection Panel

Live Law  

The Supreme Court on Thursday decided against staying the controversial Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, which removes the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel appointing election commissioners. The petitions, filed by Congress leader Jaya Thakur, the Association for Democratic Reforms, and others, questioned the legitimacy of the Act's amendments, particularly the exclusion of the …

'Will lead to chaos': Supreme Court won't halt Election Commissioners' appointment
9 months, 2 weeks ago

'Will lead to chaos': Supreme Court won't halt Election Commissioners' appointment

India Today  

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it cannot put on hold, the controversial Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023, saying it would only lead to chaos. On March 15, the court refused to stay the appointment of new Election Commissioners under the 2023 law, that excludes the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee. A notable …

Selection and election: On the appointment of Election Commissioners
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Selection and election: On the appointment of Election Commissioners

The Hindu  

The quick, if not hasty, filling up of two vacancies in the Election Commission of India has attracted justified criticism. The multi-member body got two new members within days of the resignation of Arun Goel, an Election Commissioner whose appointment itself came in the midst of a Constitution Bench hearing for a truly independent process of selecting members of the …

Election Commission orders removal of Mumbai civic body chief Iqbal Singh Chahal
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Election Commission orders removal of Mumbai civic body chief Iqbal Singh Chahal

Live Mint  

The Election Commission of India on Monday, March 18, ordered the removal of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal and additional commissioners and deputy commissioners of the Mumbai civic body. The Maharashtra government had requested the Election Commission to exempt transfers of BMC commissioner Chahal and other officers, citing their crucial role in the upcoming monsoon season. While conveying …

Election Commission in the eye of a storm
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Election Commission in the eye of a storm

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: Last week, the surprise resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel and the subsequent developments ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, triggered a nationwide debate on the neutrality and the independence of the election watchdog. Though the Central government has not made any statement on the reasons for the sudden resignation of the EC yet, a high-powered committee chaired …

New Election Commissioners take charge
9 months, 3 weeks ago

New Election Commissioners take charge

The Hindu  

Former bureaucrats Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu on Friday assumed charge as Election Commissioners, a day before the poll body is scheduled to announce the dates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Mr. Kumar and Mr. Sandhu were on Thursday appointed as Election Commissioners by a high-powered panel, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the first time …

Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigns ahead of Lok Sabha elections; Opposition parties express deep concern
10 months ago

Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigns ahead of Lok Sabha elections; Opposition parties express deep concern

New Indian Express  

His tenure was till December 5, 2027, and he would have become Chief Election Commissioner after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February next year. According to the new law on appointment of CEC and ECs, a search committee headed by the law minister and comprising two union secretaries will shortlist five names. Last year, the Supreme Court had dismissed a …

Rajya Sabha passes Bill to appoint Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commissioners
1 year ago

Rajya Sabha passes Bill to appoint Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commissioners

The Hindu  

The Rajya Sabha on December 12 passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Bill, the legislation that will guide the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners in future. Denying the Opposition’s charges that the Supreme Court was being kept away from the process of selecting the CEC and ECs, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram …

'EC Stands For Elections Compromised': Oppn Slams Govt Over Bill To Appoint CEC, ECs
1 year ago

'EC Stands For Elections Compromised': Oppn Slams Govt Over Bill To Appoint CEC, ECs

ABP News  

New Delhi: Several Opposition parties voiced their dissent over the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Bill, 2023, saying that it subjugates the EC to the authority of the executive and seeks to “crush the spirit of democracy”. Expressing apprehension over the Bill, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said the government brought the new legislation to appoint a Chief Election …

Explained | Reform in Election Commission
1 year, 10 months ago

Explained | Reform in Election Commission

The Hindu  

The story so far: On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners by the President will be based on the advice of a three-member high-level committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. A five-judge Constitution Bench headed by …

‘Certain Section Of Media Turned Unashamedly Partisan; Huge Surge Of Money Power In Elections’: Supreme Court Observes In ECI Case
1 year, 10 months ago

‘Certain Section Of Media Turned Unashamedly Partisan; Huge Surge Of Money Power In Elections’: Supreme Court Observes In ECI Case

Live Law  

In the judgment recommending reform in the process of appointment of members of the Election Commission of India, the Supreme Court, on Thursday, made some crucial observations on democracy and the role of the Commission in upholding it. A Constitution Bench comprising Justices KM Joseph, Ajay Rastogi, Aniruddha Bose, Hrishikesh Roy and CT Ravikumar reckoned that in the backdrop of …

SC: President to appoint CEC, ECs on advise of committee comprising PM, LoP, CJI
1 year, 10 months ago

SC: President to appoint CEC, ECs on advise of committee comprising PM, LoP, CJI

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: In a landmark verdict aimed at insulating the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners from the executive's interference, the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that their appointments will be done by the President on the advise of a committee comprising the prime minister, leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. …

A person weak-kneed before the powerful cannot be appointed as Election Commissioner: Supreme Court
1 year, 10 months ago

A person weak-kneed before the powerful cannot be appointed as Election Commissioner: Supreme Court

The Hindu  

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on March 2 directed in a landmark judgment that Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners will be appointed by the President on the advice tendered by a committee of Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the leader of the single largest party in opposition and the Chief Justice of …

Supreme Court Directs Appointment Of Election Commissioners On Advise Of Committee Comprising Prime Minister, Leader Of Opposition And CJI
1 year, 10 months ago

Supreme Court Directs Appointment Of Election Commissioners On Advise Of Committee Comprising Prime Minister, Leader Of Opposition And CJI

Live Law  

A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court has ordered that Election Commissioners will be appointed by the President of India on the advice of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, and leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India.This practice will be enforced until a law in this regard is made by the Parliament, …

Benchmarks for Election Commissions’ appointments
2 years ago

Benchmarks for Election Commissions’ appointments

The Hindu  

The way India’s constitutional and political structures have evolved over the years seems to have made elections almost a mechanistic and ritualistic exercise. Ambedkar said, “However good a Constitution may be, it is sure to turn out bad because those who are called to work it, happen to be a bad lot. The working of a Constitution does not depend …

Should there be a panel to appoint Election Commissioners?
2 years, 1 month ago

Should there be a panel to appoint Election Commissioners?

The Hindu  

With a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court hearing a batch of petitions on having a neutral mechanism for the appointment of members of the Election Commission of India, the debate on having a collegium-like panel to select Election Commissioners has been revived. Now, the trick here is that the government, in its wisdom over the years, has been appointing …

Collegium For Appointing Election Commissioners Will Enhance Their Independence : Former CEC SY Quraishi
2 years, 1 month ago

Collegium For Appointing Election Commissioners Will Enhance Their Independence : Former CEC SY Quraishi

Live Law  

Commenting that the system of appointment of Election Commissioners is defective, former Chief Election Commissioner Dr.SY Quraishi said the process should be revamped to ensure the neutrality and independence of the Election Commission of India.Speaking in an interview with LiveLaw, he said, "I have spoken on many occasions that the most powerful Commission in the world has the most. Commenting …

Election Commissioners must not be “weak-kneed” yes-men, says SC
2 years, 1 month ago

Election Commissioners must not be “weak-kneed” yes-men, says SC

The Hindu  

Dear reader, We have now made it easier for you to manage your The Hindu newsletter subscriptions in one place! The Supreme Court, whilst hearing the appointment of former IAS officer Arun Goel as Election Commissioner, said the country needs ECs who would not shrink from taking on even the Prime Minister and are not “weak-kneed” yes-men. The Court repeatedly …

Space, not time: The Hindu Editorial on Election Commissioner tenures
2 years, 1 month ago

Space, not time: The Hindu Editorial on Election Commissioner tenures

The Hindu  

The ongoing hearing before a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India on the need to have a neutral mechanism for appointment of Election Commissioners raises important questions on the election body’s functional independence. However, given the Court’s vocal concern about the ECI’s independence, the relevant question now is whether the Commissioners should be appointed on the recommendation of …

Moily, ex-CEC Quraishi support SC observation on appointment of CEC, EC
2 years, 1 month ago

Moily, ex-CEC Quraishi support SC observation on appointment of CEC, EC

Deccan Chronicle  

NEW DELHI: Former Union law minister M Veerappa Moily and ex-chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi on Wednesday supported a consultative mechanism to appoint the CEC and election commissioners, while another former head of the poll panel pushed for a body to appoint judges in the Supreme Court and the high courts. Another CEC, who did not wish to be …

Inclusion Of CJI In Consultative Process For CEC Appointment Will Ensure Independence: SC
2 years, 1 month ago

Inclusion Of CJI In Consultative Process For CEC Appointment Will Ensure Independence: SC

ABP News  

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said the inclusion of the Chief Justice of India in the consultative process for the appointment of Chief Election Commissioner would ensure the independence of the poll panel. The Centre argued that a 1991 Act ensured the Election Commission remains independent in terms of salary and tenure to its members and there is …

Supreme Court asks Centre to show Election Commissioner Arun Goel's appointment files
2 years, 1 month ago

Supreme Court asks Centre to show Election Commissioner Arun Goel's appointment files

Hindustan Times  

Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Centre to produce before it the files pertaining to the appointment of Arun Goel as the Election Commissioner. Arun Goel assumed charge as the new Election Commissioner of India on November 21. Sushil Chandra’s retirement as the chief election commissioner in May 2022 left the post of one commissioner in the three-member ECI vacant. A …

Election Commissioner may be honest, but can have definite political leaning: Supreme Court
2 years, 1 month ago

Election Commissioner may be honest, but can have definite political leaning: Supreme Court

The Hindu  

An Election Commissioner can be proficient, competent, completely honest and armed with an outstanding record of service, but he may have a definite political leaning which may end up displaying itself in office, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court said on Thursday. That is, the Election Commissioners just had to follow the rules and did not have to bother …

No person serving government can be appointed Election Commissioner: SC
3 years, 9 months ago

No person serving government can be appointed Election Commissioner: SC

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: In a major ruling aimed at upholding the independence of the Election Commission, the Supreme Court on Friday said that no person serving the government could be appointed as Election Commissioner as they have to be independent and act independently. Gavai and Justice Hrishikesh Roy said that the independence of the Election Commission cannot be compromised at any …

Unfortunate that Election Commission in the dock: SY Qureshi
5 years, 7 months ago

Unfortunate that Election Commission in the dock: SY Qureshi

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: As India goes for sixth and penultimate round of voting, the Election Commission of India faces severe criticism from political parties, and on social media for being biased. For instance, the ECI came under major criticism when it suspended Karnataka-cadre IAS officer Mr Mohammed Mohsin for searching Mr Modi’s helicopter in Sambalpur in Orissa as part of his …

Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission behaving like a child who can't decide what is good and bad
5 years, 8 months ago

Lok Sabha polls: Election Commission behaving like a child who can't decide what is good and bad

Firstpost  

The acknowledgement by the Election Commission in the Supreme Court that it is now aware of its powers after the court ordered the commission to act decisively against offenders, reduces the status of the poll panel to that of a minor in need of guardianship The acknowledgement by the Election Commission in the Supreme Court that it is now aware …

A crisis of credibility?
5 years, 8 months ago

A crisis of credibility?

The Hindu  

The Election Commission of India is a formidable institution which has led the world in electoral efficiency since its inception. Points of concern The letter described the Prime Minister’s March 27 announcement, of India’s first anti-satellite test, as a “serious breach of propriety amounts to giving unfair publicity to the party in power”. The group also requested the EC to …

Discover Related