Parl nod for Bill on appointments of CEC, ECs

New Delhi: The Parliament on Thursday gave its nod to a Bill which seeks to establish a mechanism to appoint the chief election commissioner and election commissioners with Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal asserting that it's in line with the Supreme Court's directions.

The Lok Sabha passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 by a voice vote after a brief discussion.

The Rajya Sabha had cleared it on December 12.

Responding to the debate, Law Minister Meghwal said the 1991 Act on the service conditions of the CEC and ECs was a halfbaked attempt that left out the key aspect of appointments and the present Bill covers such areas.

He also rejected suggestions that the proposed law was against the directions of the Supreme Court, which had asked the government to put in place a law on the appointments of the CEC and ECs.

Meghwal said the bill is in consonance with the SC ruling and not against it. He said the committee mentioned in the judgement was a "stop-gap" arrangement.

Before the SC ruling, the CEC and ECs were appointed by the President on the recommendation of the government. (PTI)