The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled out Chief Election Commission and ECs will be selected by a panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, and the Leader of Opposition until Parliament brings a law.

The judgment was pronounced by a 5-judge bench headed by Justice K.M. Joseph.

While pronouncing the verdict on petitions seeking reform in the process for the appointment of members of the Election Commission of India, the Apex Court, in a unanimous verdict, said elections should undoubtedly be fair and the buck stops with the ECI to ensure its purity is maintained.

Justices Joseph and Rastogi read out their separate judgements and declared that the independence of ECI requires a collegium with the participation of the CJI. Justice Joseph also said RCI must have an independent secretariat, rule-making powers as well as an independent budget to be able to function independently.

The Court further said the purity of elections in a democracy must be maintained or else it would lead to disastrous consequences.

Read Also: Adani-Hindenburg row: Supreme Court orders SEBI to finish probe within two months, sets up independent expert panel

Currently, the Chief Election Commissioner and two commissioners for a tenure of six years each are appointed by the President of India under Article 324(2) of the Constitution.

This provision further stipulates that the President, who acts on the aid and advice of the Prime Minister and the council of ministers, will make the appointments “subject to the provisions of any law made on that behalf by Parliament”.

On November 24, the Apex Court reserved its verdict after wrapping up the arguments in a batch of four public interest litigations (PILs) that have pressed for the issuance of directives for setting up a neutral and independent selection panel for recommending names to the President for appointments as CEC and ECs.

The petitions were argued by senior counsel Gopal Sankaranarayanan and advocate Prashant Bhushan and complained that Parliament has not framed legislation despite a mandate under Article 324(2).

US student beats up teacher for taking away her video game, video goes viral | Watch

US student beats up teacher for taking away her video game, video goes viral | Watch

PM Modi addresses foreign ministers’ meet at G20, says global governance has failed

The post Landmark Supreme Court verdict orders new mode of appointment of Election Commissioners appeared first on APN News.