Opposition Slams Government After RS Walkout on 'Controversial' Election Officials Appointment Bill

Election Commissioner Appointment Bill:  Opposition members launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government for passing the bill to regulate the appointment and service terms of Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners, alleging that the bill violates the constitution of India. They also alleged that it was an attempt to circumvent the Supreme Court order on the appointment of CEC and ECs and walked out of the House, expressing unhappiness over the minister's reply.

Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha (RS) MP, Raghav Chaddha slammed the government and said that the changes made in the bill would enable the ruling party to appoint whoever they want at the 'crucial' post of election commissioner. During the Rajya Sabha debate on the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, he pointed out that the government has removed the Chief Justice of India from the selection committee of the CEC.

"They have removed the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel and replaced him with a cabinet minister. This gives the government two votes... so with this 2:1 majority, they can appoint anyone, even Sambit Patra (BJP spokesman) if they wish. Can you imagine the situation then," Mr Chadha said.

"It is not a bill, it is a 'billdozer'. It is an insult to the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of India," he further added.

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During the debate, Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged the proposed legislation completely negates and violates the very spirit of the Constitution that is enshrined in Article 14.

"It completely negates and subjugates the Election Commission to the authority of the Executive and it does away willingly, maliciously the judgement of the Supreme Court and that is why this law is per se like a stillborn child," he alleged.

After the walkout by the opposition, senior Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav said, "It has now become clear that this government wants to have total control over the Election Commission and wants to tilt the election process in their favour." "Now there is no scope of holding impartial elections," he claimed.

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Rajya Sabha on Tuesday passed a bill to regulate the appointment and service terms of Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners incorporating key amendments like retaining their status at par with Supreme Court judges, upgrading the search committee and inserting a new clause to protect them from court cases while discharging their official duties.

(With agency inputs)