Amid the speculations that BJP might appoint two Election Commissioners later this week, a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court to challenge the government’s expected move, ANI reported.
A Congress leader from Madhya Pradesh has filed a petition in the apex court, where a 2023 judgement has been cited to prevent the government from appointing the Election Commissioners as per Sections 7 and 8 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and terms of Office Act 2023.
"I have filed a petition that they should be restrained and the appointment of all Election Officers should be done in a transparent manner. Also, a committee should be formed which should have the Prime Minister, LoP and Chief Justice, so that it can be done in a transparent manner," petitioner Jaya Thakur said while speaking with ANI.
ALSO READ: Electoral Bond Disclosure: Supreme Court To Decide Today On SBI's Plea Seeking Extension Of Deadline
The plea also sought direction to appoint a member of the Election Commission as per the Supreme Court judgment which had directed the constitution of a committee consisting of the CJI, the PM, and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha for the appointment.
Recommended For You
This came days after Election Commissioner Arun Goel resigned from his post.
The Parliament, in December last year, passed a Bill to regulate the appointment and service terms of India's Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners. The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, was passed in the Upper House of Parliament with a voice vote on December 12, 2023.
ALSO READ: End Of Democracy, If Constitution Amended As Per BJP-RSS Agenda: P Chidambaram
The bill, which was introduced in the House on August 10, seeks to replace the 1991 Act which did not have a clause related to the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other Election Commissioners (ECs).