Delhi, 7 February (H.S): Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to take charge in the first meeting to select a new Election Commissioner who will replace Anup Chandra Pandey. Pandey’s term as the Election Commissioner of India will come to an end with his retirement on 15 February. This meeting, conducted under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023, will involve the selection committee consisting of PM Modi, union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.
This committee is expected to discuss and decide on the replacement for Anup Chandra Pandey. Government officials familiar with the matter have stated that Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Congress Floor Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury are also expected to attend the meeting, which will be held at the PM’s residential office at 7:30 PM.
This appointment will be the first one made under the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. In the past, all members of the Election Commission of India were appointed by the President on the advice of the government. However, under this new Act, a three-member selection committee consisting of the PM, a union Minister nominated by him, and the Leader of Opposition or leader of the single largest opposition party in Lok Sabha will make recommendations to the President for the selection of a candidate.
The selection process also includes a three-member search committee headed by the Law Minister and two secretary-level officers who recommend five names to the selection committee. The selection committee has the power to choose a candidate from outside this list as well.
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