Appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as Chief Election Commissioner
Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). His appointment was finalized during a meeting of a three-member committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on February 17, 2025. Mr. Kumar will assume office on February 19, 2025.
Selection Process and Legal Challenges
- The selection was done under a new law being challenged in the Supreme Court.
- The Congress party opposed the meeting and asked for it to be postponed until after the court hearing.
- The Congress claims the new law creates a "partisan" and "non-neutral" selection mechanism, deviating from a Supreme Court judgment from March 2023.
The Role of the Selection Panel
- The selection panel is led by the Prime Minister, with Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi as members.
- Rahul Gandhi submitted objections in writing and did not participate further in discussions.
Congress's Position and Concerns
- Congress argues that the selection process violates the Supreme Court's directive for a panel including the Chief Justice of India.
- They have urged the government to seek an early court hearing.
New Legislative Framework
- The appointment marks the first under the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
- This law replaced the Chief Justice of India with a Union Minister in the selection panel.
- Previously, appointments were made by the President based on government recommendations.
Comments from Outgoing CEC Rajiv Kumar
- Rajiv Kumar emphasized the need for NRIs to vote from their locations and called for consensus on remote voting mechanisms.
- He advocated for biometric authentication at polling booths to prevent impersonation.
