On 2 March 2023, the Supreme Court delivered an order on appointments to the Election Commission. According to this order, appointments will be done under the recommendation of a committee having which of the following members? 

The correct answer is Prime Minister, Leader of the opposition and Chief Justice of India.

Key Points

• Appointments to the Election Commission will be made by a panel of the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition ( leader of the largest opposition party), and Chief Justice of India.
• The court emphasized the need for an impartial and independent Election Commission, free from executive interference, ensuring that the process of appointments is more transparent.
• The judgment was aimed at strengthening the democratic framework by ensuring that those appointed to the Election Commission are unbiased and capable of conducting free and fair elections.
• This ruling is to be followed until Parliament enacts a law that provides a specific procedure for the appointment of Election Commissioners.
• The decision marked a significant moment in ensuring institutional integrity, drawing comparisons with similar reforms in other independent institutions like the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

Additional Information

• The Election Commission of India is an autonomous Constitutional Body responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India
• The Election Commission of India came into force on 25th January 1950.
• Article 324 of the Indian constitution mandates the Election Commission, to conduct elections to the Parliament and the State Legislatures.
• The Election Commission consists of a Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
•  The President appoints Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners.
• The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country.
• The secretariat of the commission is located in New Delhi.
• They have a fixed tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme Court of India.
• The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only through a process of removal similar to that of a Supreme Court judge for by Parliament.